September 2001
Sun 30
- Gilbert Agius was included as a substitute in Pisa's 0-1 defeat to Spezia in the Italian Serie C1 A. Pisa are 14th out of 18 teams.
- Premier League Pietà H. vs Floriana 3-1, Marsa vs Birkirkara 2-4
- First Division Rabat A. vs Mosta 0-0, Balzan Y. vs Mqabba postponed
- Second Division Zurrieq vs Senglea A. 0-3, Zebbug R. vs Gzira U. 1-0
- Third Division Sirens vs Birzebbuga SP 4-3, Siggiewi vs Mgarr U. 2-3
- Gozo - GFA Cup SK Victoria W. vs Qala SJ and Nadur Y. vs Gharb R. postponed
Sat 29
- Premier League Hibernians vs Lija A. 5-0, Sliema W. vs Naxxar L. 6-0
- First Division Xghajra T. vs Gozo 2-3, Marsaxlokk vs Qormi 3-2
- Second Division Melita vs Tarxien R. 0-1, Sta. Venera L. vs Attard 1-1
- Michael Mifsud was included as a second half substitute for Kaiserslautern's senior side as they suffered the first defeat in the Bundesliga after seven successive wins.
Playing away to Wolfsburg, Kaiserslautern lost 2-0. Mifsud replaced the injured Miroslav Klose after 53 minutes.
Kaiserslautern are still leaders, five points ahead of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund
Fri 28
- Premier League Hamrun S. vs Valletta 0-3
- UEFA Cup First Round Second Leg Zejtun C. vs Vittoriosa S. 1-1, Sta. Lucia vs Gharghur 1-0
- Stefan Giglio's CSKA Sofia were drawn to meet AC Milan in the second round of the UEFA Cup which is scheduled to be played on the 28th October and 1st November.
- Floriana FC have suspended goalkeeper Justin Haber for 28 days for what has been described as disrespectful attitude towards the club.
In a statement by the club, it is stated that Haber did not join the team for a friendly against Sannat Lions on the 1st September, did not attend training sessions and players' meeting. He also left for a trial in Bulgaria without informing the club.
Following this suspension, Haber may also be dropped from the Malta Under 21 squad which will host the Northern Ireland in a week's time at Ta' Qali in the last match from the Under 21 championship.
Meanwhile Haber returned to Malta from Bulgaria after a trial with Botev Plovdiv. The Bulgarian First Division club which is now coached by former Valletta coach Krassimir Manolov has decided not to retain him.
- Naxxar Lions have released Nigerian striker Chima Dozie who is ruled out for several weeks due to an injury. He has now been replaced by another player, 26-year old Attila Hornzik.
Meanwhile Pietà Hotspurs released Italian midfielder Diego Palermo who played for them in four of the first five league matches this season. This decision was taken by mutual consent and Palermo is now expected to join a team in the Serie C1. He will be replaced by Welsh midfielder Paul Seaman.
Thu 27
- UEFA Cup First Round Second Leg Birkirkara vs Dinamo Moscow 0-0
- The Canadian Soccer Association announced on Tuesday that Canada will be playing a friendly 'A' international against Malta on Wednesday, November 14. “We have been attempting to organize a friendly in Europe for some time now and we are delighted that the Malta Football Association has agreed to play us in their country,” said Canadian head coach Holger Osieck. “Malta has developed tremendously over the last few years and has recently posted some respectful results. They are coached by the ex-German national team player Sigi Held.”
Osieck is expected to release a roster of 16 players for the friendly later next month, as he begins his preparations for defending the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played between the 19th January and the 3rd February. This will be the second time Malta plays Canada. In a friendly match Gzira Stadium on the 28th September 1973, Malta had defeated Canada 2-0.
- Stefan Giglio played the whole 90 minutes in CSKA Sofia's 2-1 defeat to Shakthar Donetsk of Ukraine in the UEFA Cup First Round second leg. CSKA qualify on a 4-2 aggregate.
- Hamrun Spartans continued to strengthen their side by sigining 27-year old former Hibernians midfielder Darren Attard on a one-year contract. Attard played for Second Division side Dingli Swallows last season. This will be the second time Darren Attard will be playing for Hamrun Spartans as he was already loaned with the club in season 1995-96 when he played 16 matches scoring four goals. Attard played for Hibernians between 1991 and 1995 before moving to Hamrun on loan for one year. Then he returned with the Paolites where he played for another four years before moving to Dingli last year. Meanwhile rumours have it that Hamrun Spartans are still trying to strengthen their side by securing the services of former Sliema and Birkirkara defender Djordje Pintac who is willing to return back to Malta.
Wed 26
- Two Premier League players, Brian Bonnici of Marsa and Daniel Theuma of Valletta, were suspended for one game by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner.
Brian Bonnici was sent off for the second time this season when he collected two yellow cards in last Sunday's league match against Lija Athletic. He will now miss the next league gama against Birkirkara. Daniel Theuma received the fourth yellow card in Valletta's 0-0 draw with Pietà. He misses next Friday's Premier League game against Hamrun.
Only one player was suspended in Division 1 - Sandro Ciantar of Mqabba.
- The Board of Appeals of the Malta Football Association partially upheld the appeals by Birkirkara coach Alfred Cardona and defender Michael Spiteri who were suspended four months and three matches respectively after the league match against Floriana.
Cardona's suspension was reduced to two months while that of Michael Spiteri was reduced to two matches.
Cardona was reported as trying to instill unsporting behaviour in his players as he told them not to speak or shake hands with the referee at the end of the game. On the other hand, Spiteri was accused of throwing a plastic bottle after being sent off.
Mon 24
- Second & Third Knock-Out Kirkop U. vs Dingli S. 2-2, Msida SJ vs Ta' Xbiex 4-0
- Strikers Stephen Wellman of Floriana and Jeremy Agius of Valletta are set to be selected by Malta Under 21, Ray Farrugia ahead of the UEFA Under 21 Championship qualifier at Ta' Qali on the 5th October.
After being loaned regularly to clubs in the First Division over the past three years, this season Jeremy Agius conquered a regular starting place in the Valletta line-up following the departure of Gilbert Agius in July.On the other hand, Stephen Wellman joined the Greens earlier this month and was soon a hit with Floriana as he was one of the few players who left their mark in this early part of the season.
Meanwhile, former captain Massimo Grima returns with the squad after being omitted by Farrugia for unprofessional attitude. Problems between the two were ironed out in a meeting which was held last week. Grima had missed the friendly match against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the competitive matches against Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.
Against Northern Ireland, Malta will have three players suspended - William Camenzuli, Kenneth Scicluna and Victor Bellia.
Sun 23
- Premier League Lija A. vs Marsa 1-2, Floriana vs Hibernians 1-2
- First Division St. Patrick vs Rabat A. 3-2, Mqabba vs St. Andrews 0-2
- Second & Third Knock-Out Birzebbuga SP vs Mgarr U. 3-0, Zurrieq vs Zebbug R. 0-1, San Gwann vs Mellieha 4-1, Gudja U. vs Luqa SA 0-0
- Gozo - GFA Cup Xewkija T. vs Oratory Y. 3-2
- Malta international striker Michael Mifsud notched the winner for Kaiserslautern Amateure in the German Regionalliga Sud.
Kaiserslautern defeated VfB Stuttgart Amateure 1-2 away from home. Mifsud was included as a substitute on the 78th minute and managed to score just four minutes later. Boskovic had put Kaiserslautern ahaed on 21 minutes and Braun levelled the score two minutes from half-time.
Mifsud had missed the last two league matches due to disciplinary action as he did not arrive in Germany on the day he was due after the World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Teplice.
This win still leaves Kaiserslautern Amateure in the bottom place, on six points together with SpVgg Ansbach. Ahead of them lie VfB Stuttgart Amateure with 8 points and Stuttgarter Kickers and Borussia Fulda with seven.
In Bulgaria, Stefan Giglio played the whole 90 minutes in CSKA Sofia's 5-0 win over Slavia Sofia. Yanko Valkanov, Masena Moke, Metodi Deyanov, Hristo Yanev and Samed Ashimov scored the five goals. Leading the Bulgarian league table are CSKA with 17 points from seven matches followed by champions Levski Sofia with 16 points from six matches and Neftohimik Bourgas with 15 points from 7 matches. In the Italian Serie C1A, Gilbert Agius was not included in Pisa's first league win when they defeated Monza 2-1 away from home. Pisa are eleventh with four points.
Sat 22
- Premier League Naxxar L. vs Hamrun S. 2-4, Valletta vs Pietà H. 0-0
- First Division Balzan Y. vs Marsaxlokk 0-0, Mosta vs Qormi 2-0
- Second & Third Knock-Out Sirens vs Siggiewi 4-1, Senglea A. vs Gzira U. 2-1
- Gozo - GFA Cup Victoria H. vs St. Lawrence 2-0, Xaghra U. vs Kercem A. 2-1
Fri 21
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Zejtun C. vs Sta. Lucia 2-1, Tarxien R. vs Attard 9-1, Vittoriosa S. vs Gharghur 4-1, Melita vs Sta. Venera L. 1-1
- Gozo - Independence Cup Nadur Y. vs Zebbug R. 2-2 (5-3 pen)
Nadur Youngsters claimed the first honour of the season of the Gozo Football Association when they defeated Zebbug Rovers after the penalty shoot-out. Derek Elliot put Nadur ahead but Andy Ezenwata levelled the score for Zebbug. Nadur regained the lead thanks to Saviour Farrugia but Tarek Belhaj equalised. After extra-time, the score was still 2-2 and therefore the penalty shoot-out had to decide the winner. Nadur scored five and Zebbug three. After the game, Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono presented Nadur captain Saviour Farrugia with the trophy.
- The two teams lying at the bottom of the Premier League table, Pietà Hotspurs and Lija Athletic, each have a new foreigner. Pietà signed 32-year old Yugoslav striker Mladen Dodic, who was on trial with Sliema a couple of weeks ago. In order to be able to sign him, they released young Italian midfielder Matteo Dionisi who made only two short league appearances. Lija Athletic, who were the only club with just two foreigners signed 18-year old Nigerian Morgan Onyorah Izuchukwo.
Meanwhile, the Orosco Anonam saga came to an end as Sliema registered the Nigerian striker and he will be playing for the Blues in the next league match against Naxxar. On the other hand, Nigerian striker Amin Utulu was released and is now a Naxxar player. He will be available for Saturday's league match against Hamrun.
- Sliema Wanderers goalkeeper Murphy Akanji was included in the Nigerian national team as Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu named the team for the friendly match against Japan in England on October 7.
Last week the Super Eagles fielded a second string side in two friendlies against South Korea to kick off their preparations for both the African Nations Cup and the World Cup next year.
Nigeria were held to a 2-2 draw by their hosts in the first game and lost the other match 2-1. In the first game, Akanji managed to save a penalty. The 18-man squad will get together in London by October 5 for the match scheduled at the new St. Mary Stadium in Southampton.
Thu 20
- UEFA Cup First Round First Leg Dinamo Moscow vs Birkirkara 1-0
- Stefan Giglio played the whole 90 minutes in CSKA Sofia's 3-0 win at home against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup First Round first leg.
- Maltese referee Joe Attard controlled the UEFA Cup First Round first leg between Utrecht of Holland and Grazer AK of Austria which ended in a 3-0 win for the home side. He was assisted by the two assistant referees Ingmar Spiteri and Joe R. Attard together with fourth official Chris Lautier.
- Sliema Wanderers and Malta Under 21 midfielder Joseph Farrugia joined Hamrun Spartans on a one-year loan. However the Spartans have the option of retaining him for good at the end of this season. Farrugia was also attracting the interest of Pietà Hotspurs, the club with which he was on loan last season. There he left a very good impression and early this season, back with Sliema, he seemed to be able to command a place in Sliema's starting line-up, especially after the retirement of Carmel Busuttil. However the signing of Rupert Mangion made things difficult for him.
Wed 19
- Nigerian striker Orosco Anonam signed for Sliema Wanderers. Although last week the player had agreed terms with Birkirkara, a better offer by Sliema, put the Blues in a better position to conclude the deal. The player signed on Wednesday. However the player's manager Damian Iwueke says the transfer has not been concluded yet and the player could still join another club. On his return to Malta from Hungary, Anonam was still a Naxxar player since the debt-ridden Vasas SC had not yet paid the full transfer fee. After two meetings between Naxxar president Michael Zammit Tabona and Sliema president Robert Arrigo, the two reached an agreement on the transfer and therefore Orosco Anonam will once again play for Sliema after an impressive season last year in which he scored 22 goals in 26 matches.
The signing of Anonam will mean that Sliema have to release young Nigerian striker Amin Utulu, who scored one of the goals in last Saturday's 5-1 win over Hamrun. Utulu is now expected to join Naxxar on a one-year loan together with an Italian player who was on loan with the Blues, Daniele Cellamare plus cash.
- Malta move up one place and now lies in the 132nd place in the FIFA World Rankings as published on Wednesday. Over the last month, Malta played two games losing to Bulgaria 0-2 at home and 3-2 to the Czech Republic. Ahead of Malta are countries like Mauritius, Tahiti, Lesotho, St Vincent/Grenadines, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia and Swaziland. Behind Malta are Grenada, Solomon Islands, Hong Kong and Burundi. Among other European countries, the Faroe Islands lie in the 118th place (+4), Andorra 144th (+1), Luxemburg 145th (-1), Liechtenstein 150th (+1) and San Marino 158th (+1).
Malta will be playing against the Northern Ireland on the 6th October in the last match from the FIFA 2002 World Cup Qualifying Round.
- Six players were suspended for one match by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off in the last Premier League programme. The players are Valletta's Pavel Mraz and Darren Debono, Hibernians' Branko Nisevic, Sliema's Ian Ciantar, Hamrun's Jonathan Magri Overend and Lija's Brendon Sammut. Mraz and Debono will miss next Saturday's match against Pietà while Nisevic will be unavailable for the Paolites' game against Floriana. Ian Ciantar misses the next Sliema game against Naxxar, Magri Overend that against Naxxar and Sammut Lija's next game against Marsa.
Tue 18
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Msida SJ vs Pembroke A. 3-3, Dingli S. vs Ghaxaq 9-1
- A 16-man Birkirkara FC squad left Malta on Tuesday at 1300CET, destination Moscow in view of next Thursday's first leg from the first round of the UEFA Cup against Dinamo Moscow. There was only one change from the squad which had travelled to Moscow last week only to have to return to Malta two days later after that UEFA postponed last week's UEFA Cup programme as a sign of respect for the victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in the United States. Young defender Roderick Briffa did not travel with the squad, joining Michael Galea who was ruled out due to work-pressure and the injured Under 21 international defender Mark Anthony Bonnici. The players who will be making the trip to Moscow are goalkeepers Robert Savic and Reuben Debono; defenders Lino Galea, Justin Tellus, Kenneth Scicluna, Lucian Dronca, Michael Spiteri, William Camenzuli and Clint Micallef; midfielders Joe Brincat, Keith Fenech, Hubert Suda and Antoine Zahra together with strikers Chucks Nwoko, Michael Cutajar and Matthew Calascione.
- Valletta goalkeeper Sean Sullivan was voted as the Rothmans Player of the Month for August 2001. Thirty-year old Sullivan made his Premier League debut in 1991 for St. Andrews in a match against Floriana. After leaving St. Andrews, he played for Hamrun Spartans and is now playing for Valletta FC. He was also for one year on loan with Floriana FC.
Among the honours won by Sullivan are all the major honours - the Rothmans Premier League, the Rothmans F.A. Trophy, the Rothmans Super Cup, the Centenary Cup, Lowenbrau Cup and the Super Five competition.
The highest points in his career are the clean sweep of the honours in 1996 when Valletta won five competitions and in 2001 when Valletta won all 6 honours at stake together with the debut with the National team.
His ambition is to keep on winning more honours. Among his other interests and pastimes are music and reading novels.
Mon 17
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Luqa SA vs Fgura U. 3-0, Mellieha vs St. George's 2-1
- Goalless draws for CSKA Sofia and Pisa. Stefan Giglio played the whole 90 minutes in CSKA's 0-0 draw away to Chernomorets Bourgas. CSKA lead the Bulgarian Premier League table together with Neftohimik Burgas on 14 points. In the Italian Serie C1, Pisa tied 0-0 with rivals Lucchese. Gilbert Agius was included in the starting line-up but was substituted on the 57th minute.
Sun 16
- Premier League Marsa vs Floriana 1-1, Lija A. vs Birkirkara 1-4
- First Division Qormi vs St. Patrick 1-0, Xghajra T. vs Mqabba 1-0, Gozo vs Rabat A. 2-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Melita vs Sta. Lucia 2-0, Sta. Venera L. vs Zejtun C. 2-0, Mgarr U. vs Senglea A. 0-3, Zebbug R. vs Sirens 1-1
- Floriana and Malta Under 21 goalkeeper Justin Haber leaves Malta on Monday to join Bulgarian First Division side Botev Plovdiv. This will be the second Bulgarian experience for Haber who had joined SK Dobrudzha in the Bulgarian First Division on a loan last season. However problems to obtain a work permit stopped him from playing for the team. At the end of last season, Haber, thanks to former Floriana coach Traiko Sokolov who is now working as a players' agent, started searching for a new club in Bulgaria. Premier Division side Spartak Varna had expressed their interest in the Maltese Under 21 international.
If Justin Haber signs for Botev Plovdiv, he will be the first signing for Botev's new coach Krassimir Manolov. Manolov, who left Valletta last month for family reasons, joined them last week after the club sacked its coach following a poor start in the First Division. Botev Plovdiv were relegated from the Bulgarian Premier League last season for the first time after 80 years.
Although Floriana have given their consent to join the Bulgarian club, the two clubs still have to discuss whether the young goalkeeper will be moving to Bulgaria on a permanent move or on loan.
Sat 15
- Premier League Pietà H. vs Naxxar L. 0-1, Hamrun S. vs Sliema W. 1-5
- First Division Marsaxlokk vs Mosta 0-0, St. Andrews vs Balzan Y. 0-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Zurrieq vs Siggiewi 4-1, Birzebbuga SP vs Gzira U. 2-5
Fri 14
- Premier League Hibernians vs Valletta 5-4
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Vittoriosa S. vs Attard 0-1, Gharghur vs Tarxien R. 0-5
Thu 13
- The Birkirkara FC contingent made up of around 40 players, officials and supporters returned back to Malta on Thursday morning following UEFA's decision to cancel all Champions League and UEFA Cup matches scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
The Birkirkara squad had left Malta on Tuesday at 13:00 on their way to Moscow, via Frankfurt. However, following the latest developments linked to the tragic attack on America on Tuesday, the trip to Moscow turned out to be in vain. UEFA is believed to be paying all the expenses.
The match will now be played on the 20th September. Therefore Birkirkara will once again have to travel to Moscow next week. For this reason, the Malta Football Association has postponed the Premier League match between Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers scheduled for Friday 21st.
- Sliema Wanderers unveiled their latest signing, 30-year old goalkeeper Reggie Cini. Cini joins Sliema after over 20 years with the Citizens. In fact he had started playing for Valletta since he was a young boy. Cini said that although it is not easy for him to change club after so many years, this was the right time to leave and although he won all the major honours with Valletta, he is willing to win more with Sliema. Reggie Cini will be starting as a second goalkeeper behind Nigerian international Murphy Akanji. However since Akanji will be engaged in his country's preparation for the African Nations Cup and the World Cup, Cini will be expected to wear the number one shirt for several league matches.
Meanwhile Royalty Bedding Ltd extended their sponsorship for the third consecutive year.
Wed 12
- Birkirkara coach Alfred Cardona was suspended for four months by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner following remarks passed to referee Emmanuel R. Zammit after the game between Floriana and Birkirkara. He had already been reported after one of the Lowenbrau Cup matches.
Birkirkara defender Michael Spiteri was suspended for three games and midfielder Joe Brincat for one game, both after being sent off during the same game.
Marsa defender Alan Mifsud was suspended for one match.
- UEFA has announced that it has postponed all further UEFA club competition matches due to be played in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup this week as a mark of respect for the victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in the United States. This means that the UEFA Cup First Round first leg between Dinamo Moscow and Birkirkara FC scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed.
UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner said in a statement: "The scale of this tragedy and the pain and sorrow which it brings should cause us all to reflect. UEFA feels it is right that the European football family should respect the loss and suffering now being felt by those families who have lost their loved ones by postponing all UEFA games scheduled to be played this week." Mr Aigner continued: "On behalf of UEFA, I would like to send our condolences and deepest sympathies to all those who are in pain as a result of these terrible events. We will convey this in a formal message to the US Embassy in Geneva. We will continue to monitor the overall security situation within Europe over the next few days and will make a further statement in due course concerning the rescheduling of these matches," he added.
- The Birkirkara FC contingent made up of around 40 players, officials and supporters will be returning back to Malta on Thursday morning at 07:00 following UEFA's decision to cancel all Champions League and UEFA Cup matches scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. The Birkirkara squad had left Malta on Tuesday at 13:00 on their way to Moscow, via Frankfurt. However, following the latest developments linked to the tragic attack on America on Tuesday, the trip to Moscow turned out to be in vain. UEFA is believed to be paying all the expenses.
UEFA has suggested the 20th September as a possible date when the UEFA Cup matches could be played. Therefore Birkirkara will once again have to travel to Moscow next week. For this reason, the Malta Football Association has postponed the Premier League match between Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers scheduled for Friday 21st.
- Fgura Tournament Tarxien R. vs Zebbug R. 1-0
Tue 11
- Orosco Anonam joins Birkirkara. As anticipated on Sunday by maltafootball.com, Anonam was most likely to sign for the Stripes on his return to Malta from Hungary. He will definitely be a big boost for Birkirkara as the club finally found the striker they have been searching for. The Nigerian striker returned to Malta yesterday and according to the Birkirkara FC official website www.birkirkarafc.com, the deal between the club and the player was agreed this morning, before the Birkirkara squad's departure for Moscow.
Orosco Anonam played for three years in Malta. He arrived in season 1998/99 where he played 21 matches scoring 7 goals with Naxxar Lions. In his second year with Naxxar, he scored 13 in 19 matches. Last year he was transferred on a one year loan with Sliema Wanderers. With Sliema, he formed a deadly duo with Michael Mifsud. He scored 22 goals in 26 matches for the Blues.
In summer, Orosco Anonam was transferred to Vasas SC of Hungary but after playing, and scoring regularly, in friendly matches, he only made short appearances in league matches. Vasas SC is facing bankruptcy and a number of persons who had taken over the club have now left. Debts led the club management to slash the wages of the foreign players. The players have not been paid their wages for the past twelve weeks.
- Two players will be missing next Thursday's UEFA Cup First Round first leg against Dynamo Moscow. Besides Michael Galea who was already ruled out due to work-pressure, Under 21 international defender Mark Anthony Bonnici, who joined the club from Sliema this summer, had to be dropped as well after sustaining an injury in last Saturday's league match against Floriana.
Travelling to Russia are therefore 17 players: goalkeepers Robert Savic and Reuben Debono;
defenders Lino Galea, Justin Tellus, Kenneth Scicluna,
Lucian Dronca, Michael Spiteri, William Camenzuli and Clint Micallef;
midfielders Joe Brincat, Keith Fenech, Roderick Briffa, Hubert Suda and
Antoine Zahra together with strikers Chucks Nwoko, Michael Cutajar and
Matthew Calascione. The squad leaves Malta on Tuesday at 13:00.
Michael Galea will be replaced by Michael Cutajar who missed
the second leg against Lokomotiv Tbilisi as he was still recovering from an
injury. Cutajar is not the only new player in Alfred Cardona's squad. The other ones
are young defender Clint Micallef and midifielder Roderick Briffa. They
replace South African striker Xolani Wiseman who has been released by the
club after failing to impress since his arrival in July. This leaves Cardona
with two foreigners at his disposal - Yugoslav goalie Robert Savic and
Romanian defender Lucian Dronca.
Mon 10
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Senglea A. vs Birzebbuga SP 8-3, Gzira U. vs Mgarr U. 1-0
- Valletta goalkeeper Reggie Cini signed for Sliema Wanderers as their second goalkeeper. The former international goalkeeper therefore leaves Valletta after being a regular choice since 1988.
Last season Cini suffered an injury and he was forced to undergo a surgery which ruled him out for the rest of the season. In June he was expected to restart training with his team-mates. However it was soon clear that he was no longer in the club's plans as he was not even informed when the pre-season training was due to start. He was then told to search for a new club.
Cini is expected to make his debut for his new club on Saturday when Sliema face Hamrun Spartans. Sliema's number 1 goalie Murphy Akanji will be travelling to Korea with the Nigerian national team for two friendly matches.
- Former Valletta striker Gilbert Agius made his debut in the Italian Serie C1 League Girone A when he was included as a substitute on Sunday in Pisa's 3-1 away defeat to Arezzo. After joining them in July, it was only ten days ago that he became officially a Pisa player as there were still some burocratic problems regarding the work permit to be solved. Agius was included ten minutes in the second half when Pisa were already losing 2-0. After two games, Pisa lie in the bottom of the table with two defeats.
- In Bulgaria, Stefan Giglio's CSKA Sofia registered their fourth win in five games beating Spartak Pleven 3-2 at home. This win enabled them to go on top of the table with 13 points, two ahead of Neftohimik Burgas and Lokomotiv Sofia. Vladimir Manchev, Lubo Penev and Iordan Lechkov scored for CSKA. Meanwhile former Pietà midfielder/striker Martin Deanov scored one of the goals in his side's 3-0 win in the Bulgarian Premier League. Deanov plays for Belasitza Petrich who defeated Chernomorets Burgas this weekend. He had scored another goal in the 3-2 defeat to Spartak Pleven. Belasitza are currently tenth in the table.
Sun 9
- Premier League Valletta vs Marsa 3-3, Naxxar L. vs Hibernians 1-3
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Ghaxaq vs Kirkop U. 1-6, Attard vs Gharghur 2-1, St. George's vs San Gwann 1-1, Fgura U. vs Gudja U. 0-0
- Gozo - Independence Cup Ghajnsielem vs Nadur Y. 0-2, Xewkija T. vs Zebbug R. 1-1 aet (2-3 pen)
The football season in Gozo kicked-off on Sunday with the semi-finals of the Independence Cup. Unlike previous years, taking part in the Independence Cup are just four teams: Ghajnsielem, Nadur Youngsters, Xewkija Tigers and Zebbug Rovers.
After the Independence Cup, the second competition is the Rothmans GFA Cup which kicks off on the 22nd September. Taking part are the 14 clubs affiliated with the association. The Rothmans First Division League starts-off on the 3rd November while the first games in the Sprite Second Division League will be played on the 10th November. The other competitions are the FXB Second Division Knock-Out which will be played in October and November and the Freedom Day Cup which is scheduled for the 31st March.
- As Nigerian striker Orosco Anonam and Yugoslav-born striker Daniel Bogdanovic return to Malta following their unfortunate experience in Hungary, the two players are expected to attract interest by a number of clubs. The main target should be Orosco Anonam. After a most successful season with 22 goals in 26 matches for Sliema Wanderers, where he was on loan from Naxxar Lions, a number of clubs were trying hard to secure his services. In summer, there were two main clubs interested in the player: Valletta and Birkirkara together with others like Sliema, Marsa and Naxxar. Out of these five clubs, only Birkirkara have two foreigners while Naxxar are considering the possibility of replacing one of their foreigners. This makes one of these clubs the most probable destination for Anonam. Considering that Anonam is willing to play for a club which challenges for the major honours, Birkirkara should be the favourites. Anonam had joined Vasas for an undisclosed fee and it seems that only half the sum has been paid so far. Daniel Bogdanovic joined Sliema mid-way through last season after a short trial with Floriana. Earlier he had played in Gozo and in Tunisia for a short period of time. Since Bogdanovic holds Maltese citizenship, it should not be a problem for him to sign for a club in the Premier League. Unlike Anonam, Bogdanovic had joined Vasas on a free-transfer.
Anonam and Bogdanovic's experience with Vasas was definitely a positive one. After playing, and scoring regularly, in friendly matches, they only made short appearances in league matches. Currently Vasas lie at the bottom of the table with just three points - one win in eight games. Vasas SC is facing bankruptcy and a number of persons who had taken over the club have now left. Debts led the club management to slash the wages of the foreign players. The players have not been paid their wages for the past twelve weeks.
Sat 8
- Premier League Sliema W. vs Pietà H. 3-1, Floriana vs Birkirkara 0-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Tarxien R. vs Vittoriosa S. 1-0, Pembroke A. vs Ta' Xbiex 2-1, Sirens vs Zurrieq 1-2, Siggiewi vs Zebbug R. 0-3
- Malta U-16 lost the third and final game of the Nereo Rocco International Tournament after losing 0-2 to Bologna.
- Hamrun Spartans completed the signing of veteran striker Stefan Sultana from Hibernians. The former international striker therefore returns with the club he started his career with. He already played a friendly match against St. Patrick on Friday scoring twice in a 3-0 win. Sultana will fill the void left by another veteran striker, Paul Zammit, who left the Spartans to join First Division side Mosta. Meanwhile Hamrun are on the verge of signing goalkeeper Paolo Bonnici of Attard. Bonnici was on loan with Sliema and then Qormi over the past three years.
Fri 7
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Zejtun C. vs Melita 1-3, Sta. Lucia vs Sta. Venera L. 1-2
- Sliema Wanderers are in search of a second goalkeeper. During the presentation of a new sponsor - Bonduelle and two new players - Nenad Veselji and Amin Utulu, Sliema president Robert Arrigo said that their involvement in the transfer market will come to an end once they sign a second goalkeeper. There are four candidates: Mark Farrugia of Zurrieq, Mark Vella of Tarxien, Reggie Cini of Valletta and David Cluett who is currently on the books of Gozo FC.
Arrigo said that the club spends an average of Lm160,000 each year and the sponsors' help is needed to ease the burden. Meanwhile the club denied reports which appeared in the local media that they are not satisfied with coach Jeff Wood's work and that they are willing to replace him.
Goalkeeper Murphy Akanji is one of the 25 players selected by Nigerian national coach Shaibu Amodu for two friendly matches against South Korea scheduled for the 13th and 16th September.
The matches which will be played in two South Korean cities that will host next year's World Cup finals will kick off Nigeria's programme for both the 2002 African Nations Cup in January and February and the World Cup in May and June. The squad will converge in London by September 10 for the trip to South Korea.
This means that Akanji will miss Sliema's league game against Hamrun Spartans on the 15th September. The Super Eagles squad is made up 19 overseas-based players and six players from the domestic league.
Thu 6
- St. Andrews won the 23rd edition of the Gammari Muscat Mosta Tournament, sponsored by FIAT, after beating hosts Mosta 1-0. Alex Busuttil scored for the Saints on the 87th minute. Both sides won their respective groups. Mosta tied 1-1 with St. Patrick and defeated Senglea 1-0. On the other hand, St. Andrews defeated Balzan and Mqabba with an identical 2-1 score. In the semi-finals, Mosta defeated Mqabba 2-1 while St. Andrews needed the penalty shoot-out to beat Senglea A. 4-1 after a 1-1 draw. Mosta are set to be one of the favourites for promotion this season following the signing of goalkeeper Charlie Sciberras, Stefan Farrugia, Kevin Loughborough, Albert Busuttil and Paul Zammit. St. Andrews lost several players during the close season but they will be strengthened with the signing of veteran Charlie Scerri.
- Hibernians striker Stefan Sultana is set to make a surprise return to his first love, Hamrun Spartans. Informal discussions between the two clubs were held last week.
Hamrun coach Atanas Marinov is currently looking for another striker after veteran Paul Zammit moved to First Division side Mosta last week. Sultana could be the ideal player as he is still hailed as a hero by the Hamrun fans despite leaving them three years ago. At that time, it was the Spartans' financial crisis which led to his transfer.
After playing for fifteen years in the Hamrun red and black shirt, Sultana moved to Hibernians in season 1998/99. With Hamrun, Sultana had an impressive record scoring 129 goals in 227 league matches. With them, he also managed to win the major league honours. In the past three years with the Paolites, Sultana scored 25 goals in 68 league matches.
The Spartans will be holding an extraordinary meeting at the club on Thursday evening and among the matters being discussed is the return of Stefan Sultana. Hamrun president Victor Tedesco is also expected to give details on how the club managed to solve its financial problems.
- Malta's Under 16 national team, under the guidance of Mark Miller, started its commitments with an easy 5-0 win over hosts Settignanese in the Under 16 International Tournament Nereo Rocco. Cleaven Frendo scored twice for Malta with the other goals being scored by Marlon Monreal, Andrew Coleiro and Than Micallef. In the second game, Malta and Siena shared the points in a scoreless draw. The last game in Group D is against Bologna on Friday night. Malta needs a win in order to reach the semi-finals.
The squad is made up of goalkeepers: David Farrugia (Floriana), Bernard Paris (Birkirkara); defenders Stephen Borda (Hibs) Kurt Formosa (Hibs), Joseph Lia (Zurrieq), Than Micallef (Floriana), Carl Sammut (Pietà), Jean Paul Scerri (Pietà), Julian Vella (Hibs); midfielders Kurt Azzopardi (Floriana), Andrew Coleiro (Pietà), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Marlon Monreal (Balzan), Andrea Schembri (Hibs) and strikers Thomas Caruana (St. Patrick, Ryan Darmanin (Floriana), Dyson Falzon (Mosta) and Clayton Failla (St. Patrick).
Wed 5
- World Cup Qualifying Round Group 3 Czech Republic vs Malta 3-2
- Due to Birkirkara's commitments in the first leg of the UEFA Cup First Round on the 13th September in Moscow against Dynamo Moscow, there were a number of changes in the fixtures. Marsa vs Floriana and Lija A. vs Birkirkara which were due to be played on the 15th were postponed for the 16th while the matches Pietà H. vs Naxxar L. and Hamrun S. vs Sliema W. which were due to be played on the 16th were anticipated to the 15th. The two matches - Floriana vs Lija A. and Birkirkara vs Hamrun S. - were postponed and will be played on a date which will be announced later. Birkirkara vs Marsa, scheduled for the 28th September has been postponed as well.
- Pietà Hotspurs denied that Italian manager Marco Savia has been sacked. The club stated that Savia had decided to resign after the second consecutive league defeat as he was feeling the players were not cooperating enough. Last season, Savia had led Pietà to a seventh place. He has now been replaced by Bulgarian coach Todor Raykov, who joind the club as a youth development officer this summer.
Tue 4
- UEFA Under 21 Championship Group 3 Czech Republic vs Malta 3-0
- Birkirkara defender Michael Spiteri and Kaiserslautern striker Michael Mifsud are suffering from slight injuries on the eve of the World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic which will be played in Teplice on Wednesday at 17:00. However both of them are expected to recover in time for the game. National coach Sigi Held was disappointed with the way Malta suffered two goals in the final stages against Bulgaria after controlling their opponents for over 70 minutes. From last Saturday's starting line-up, Held has to replace Daniel Theuma who was sent off. The candidates for replacing him are Sliema's Luke Dimech and Ian Ciantar, Jeffrey Chetcuti of Valletta and Lino Galea of Birkirkara.
- Sliema Wanderers will be giving a trial to a Yugoslav striker, Dodic, as they try to strengthen their attack. Following the release of Massimo Beghetto, eighteen year old Nigerian midfielder Jude Amin Utulu was expected to be confirmed as the third foreigner but they have now decided to give the Yugoslav stirker a trial before making a final decision.
- Meanwhile, Marsa have registered two new players - defender Jason Galea amd midfielder Miguel Corbolan. Galea, a product of Valletta, played for Naxxar Lions for several years before joining Xghajra last season. On the other hand, the Argentinian midfielder, who is also in possession of Maltese citizenship, arrived in Malta ten years ago and since then, he played for Marsa, Mqabba, Birkirkara and Gozo FC.
- Fgura Tournament Sta. Venera L. vs Zejtun C. 1-1
Mon 3
- Birkirkara FC have released South African striker Xolani Jalivane Wiseman. Chairman Victor Zammit confirmed the news to the Birkirkara official site, www.birkirkarafc.com.
Wiseman played for Birkirkara in the Lowenbrau Cup matches against Valletta and Sliema, failing to impress. He was also included as a substitute in the first leg of the UEFA Cup Qualifying Round against Lokomotiv Tbilisi.
It seems that for the time being, Birkirkara will not bring any new foreigners. The other two foreigners are Yugoslav goalkeeper Robert Savic and Romanian defender Lucian Florin Dronca.
- The Malta Football Association could take disciplinary action against Floriana midfielder Claude Mattocks after playing for his club in a friendly match just two days before an international match.
Mattocks, a member of the Malta Under 21 national team, played for Floriana in a friendly match in Gozo against Sannat Lions. In this game, he sustained a knee injury making him unavailable for next Tuesday's match from the UEFA Under 21 Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic in Liberec.
Claude Mattocks, who was included as a substitute in last Friday's 2-2 draw with Bulgaria, was due to be part of the 18-man squad. U-21 national coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia was forced to replace him by another player, Floriana defender Ian Azzopardi.
The MFA prohibits national team players from playing for their clubs in friendly matches or tournaments five days before an international match.
Meanwhile Floriana defeated Sannat Lions 4-2. Mark Galea, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Eduardo do Nascimento and Jonathan Holland scored for Floriana.
- First Division side Mosta made another important signing in their effort to strenghten the team for their league campaign this season when they secured the services of experienced striker Paul Zammit. It seems that Hamrun Spartans and Mosta have already reached an agreement over the transfer of Zammit.
Paul Zammit, a product of Sliema Wanderers, played for Rabat Ajax and Hibernians before joining Hamrun Spartans. With the three clubs, he was a regular scorer scoring 57 goals in the Premier League. This will not be his first year in the First Division as he has already played in Division 1 while playing for Rabat and Hamrun.
Last week, Mosta signed Floriana midfielder Albert Busuttil on a one-year loan. Other important signings were those of Birkirkara goalkeeper Charles Sciberras, St. Patrick midfielder Kevin Loughborough and Stefan Farrugia of Sta. Venera, who was on loan with Marsaxlokk last season. On the other hand, they lost goalkeeper Sandro Micallef and striker Johann Zammit who both joined Marsaxlokk.
Together with Marsaxlokk, Mosta seem to be the main favourites for promotion from the First Division to the Premier League. The First Division league kicks-off on the 15th September.
- Sta. Lucia Tournament Final Pietà H. vs Marsaxlokk 0-1
First Division side Marsaxlokk claimed the first edition of the Sta. Lucia Easyline Tournamentafter defeating Pietà Hotspurs 1-0 in the final. Newly-signed striker Johann Zammit scored the all-important goal for the seasiders.
In Johann Zammit and Malcolm Tirchett, Marsaxlokk seem to have found a deadly front line. In this tournament, Tirchett scored seven goals and Zammit four. Marsaxlokk emerge as the major candidates for promotion in the Rothmans First Division League which kicks-off in two weeks' time. Their first game is against another team which will be aiming for promotion - Mosta.
- Mosta Under 19 Challenge Final Sliema W. vs Pietà H. 1-0
- Fgura Tournament Vittoriosa S. vs Luqa SA 1-2
Sun 2
- National coach Sigi Held named the 19-man squad which leaves Malta on Sunday night at 23:30 for Prague in the Czech Republic. Malta plays at the FK Teplice Stadium in Teplice on Wednesday at 17:00. The only forced change was the exclusion of Daniel Theuma who was sent off on Saturday. Two players who did not form part of the squad for the game against Bulgaria were included - Birkirkara defender Lino Galea and Sliema midfielder David Camilleri. Gilbert Agius, who now plays for Pisa was retained although he limped off injured after 36 minutes against Bulgaria. The national squad is therefore made up of goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin and Mario Muscat; defenders David Carabott, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Ian Ciantar, Darren Debono, Luke Dimech, Lino Galea, Brian Said, Michael Spiteri; midfielders David Camilleri, Stefan Giglio, Hubert Suda, Noel Turner, Antoine Zahra and strikers Gilbert Agius, Malcolm Licari, Michael Mifsud and Chucks Nwoko.
- Hamrun midfielder Matthew Galea, who missed Friday's game against Bulgaria, returns for the Under 21 side which will be travelling to the Czech Republic, destination Liberec, where Malta plays on Tuesday at 18:30 at the Liberec Stadium. Galea will be replacing Floriana's Claude Mattocks. The players in Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia's squad are therefore goalkeepers Justin Haber and Reuben Gauci; defenders Ian Azzopardi, Mark Anthony Bonnici, William Camenzuli, Rennie Forace, Carlo Mamo and Kenneth Scicluna; midfielders Matthew Galea, Etienne Barbara, Victor Bellia, Joseph Farrugia, Kevin Sammut and Antoine Zahra and strikers William Borg, Anatole Debono, Michael Galea and Miguel Mifsud.
- Mosta Tournament Mqabba vs Senglea A., St. Patrick vs Balzan Y.
Sat 1
- World Cup Qualifying Round Group 3 Malta vs Bulgaria 0-2
Two goals by Dimitar Berbatov in the last fifteen minutes gave Bulgaria the three points they needed to climb to the top of Group 3 after the Czech Republic's defeat to Iceland and Denmark's draw with Northern Ireland. Malta managed to defend well during the first half and early in the second half. Goalkeeper Mario Muscat was undoubtedly the best player for Malta after keeping the Bulgarians at bay with a string of fine saves on Bulgaria's most dangerous players Georgi Ivanov and Dimitar Berbatov.
- Referee Joe Attard controlled the World Cup qualifier from Group 5 between Wales and Armenia at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Attard was assisted by Philip Agius and Ronnie Farrugia as assistant referees and Lorry Sammut as fourth official. On Tuesday, Emmanuel R. Zammit will be controlling the UEFA Under 21 Championship match between Luxembourg and Switzerland. He will be assisted by Gejtu Degabriele and James Vella Clark. Adrian Casha is the fourth official.