February 2004
Sun 29
- Premier League Valletta vs Balzan Y. 3-1, Hibernians vs Floriana 3-1
- First Division Tarxien R. vs Marsa 1-1, St. Patrick vs Senglea A. 1-3
- Second Division St. Andrews vs Zejtun C. 4-1, Dingli S. vs Xghajra T. 4-1
- Third Division Kirkop U. vs Gharghur 2-0, Sirens vs Fgura U. 1-2
- Women's League Mosta vs Birkirkara 0-4, Raiders vs Rabat A. 5-0
- Gozo - First Division Zebbug R. vs Kercem A. 0-0, Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y. 0-6
Sat 28
- Thirty-year old Michael Farrugia of Attard had to be rushed to hospital after suffering from a heart attack towards the end of the MIA Second Division match between Attard and Gzira United at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.
Attard were leading 2-1 with seven minutes to go and Farrugia was about to take a goal-kick. Referee Paul Caruana awarded him a yellow card as he assumed the player was wasting the time but a few seconds later, he collapsed to the ground.
It took those present at the Centenary Stadium a couple of minutes before finding out that he was really feeling sick and before he was given the first assistance by the paramedics. The player was then rushed to St. Luke's Hospital where he is still being kept under observation at the Intensive Therapy Unit. His conditions are described as being stable.
Michael Farrugia, a product of Zebbug Rangers, played Premier League football with Rabat Ajax and had short spells with Hamrun Spartans and Dingli Swallows.
- Premier League Sliema W. vs Pietà H. 2-1, Marsaxlokk vs Birkirkara 3-4
- Second Division Attard vs Gzira U. 2-1, Mellieha vs St. George's 1-2
- Gozo - First Division Victoria H. vs Ghajnsielem 3-1
- Gozo - Second Division Xaghra U. vs Oratory Y. 4-2
Fri 27
- Third Division Ta' Xbiex vs Qormi 0-4, Siggiewi vs Sta. Lucia 2-1
- Balzan Youths striker Anthony Evi Parker will be going for a trial with English First Division side Reading FC. This was made possible thanks to the recently-launched Star Soccer Agency - www.starsocceragency.com.
Evi Parker has been invited to undergo a trial period at the Madejski Stadium between March 7 and 13.
Eighteen-year old Evi Parker arrived in Malta in summer 2001 when he was still a 15 year old. He made his debut for Marsa but after playing nine matches, scoring two goals, he was transferred to Nadur Youngsters in Gozo.
Last season, he returned with Marsa where he played 22 league matches, scoring five goals. In November, he joined Balzan Youths and has so far scored six goals.
- The 10th Edition of the Veltins - Coca Cola Mediterranean Cup 2004 will be held from the 03rd to the 13th of April at the San Gwann Football Ground. This annual international youth football event is organised by the San Gwann F.C. Youth Nursery in collaboration with the San Gwann Local Council.
This is the biggest youth football tournament to be organised on the island and this year 800 athletes, together with match officials and club delegates will participate during the ten days of football. The teams will be representing four European countries - Malta, Italy, Albania and Serbia Montenegro.
Organisation work is underway and now reached its maximum since the kick off of the first tournament match is only five weeks away.
The participating nurseries, a total of 45 teams from Under 8s to Under 15s will fight their way to reach the A Finals, tempted by a magnificent satisfaction to be crowned Champions of the Mediterranean Cup.
Those not reaching the A Finals will play their own knock out matches in the B Finals, secure in the knowledge that these are competing in a high level football tournament.
Wed 25
- Birkirkara striker Chucks Nwoko and Sliema Wanderers midfielder Kevin Sammut were dropped from the national squad as part of national coaches' policy of reshuffling the national squad members according to the form of the players in domestic competitions.
Chucks Nwoko failed to play in any of the four matches played so far since Horst Heese and Carmel Busuttil were appointed as national coach and assistant as he was recovering from injuries.
Nwoko made his national team debut in the match against Albania in February 1998. He played 46 matches for the national team scoring one goal. His last appearance was in the 2-2 draw with Israel in September.
Kevin Sammut, on the other hand, was yet to make his debut for the national team in a full international match.
- Balzan Youths goalkeeper Ernest Barry was suspended for one match after being sent off in the FA Trophy match against Floriana.
Since Balzan were eliminated from the competition, he will be missing the Premier League match against Valletta on Sunday.
However the worst hit by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner was Jesmar Abela of Zejtun Corinthians. The player was suspended indefinitely and the case was referred to the Council.
Another Second Division player, Joseph Mizzi of Vittoriosa Stars was suspended for one match.
The other players who were suspended are all from the Youth League: James Fenech (Qormi), Glen Attard (Fgura), Christian Vella (Kirkop), Justin Camilleri (Pembroke), Samuel Seguna and Liam Mercieca (Sirens).
- The draws for the Second & Third Division Knock-Out, the Youth A Knock-Out and the Youth B Knock-Out competitions were held at the MFA Headquarters in Valletta on Wednesday.
In the semi-finals of the Second and Third Division Knock-Out, Zebbug Rangers will be facing Third Division side Sta. Venera Lightenings while Mellieha take on Gzira United.
The two semi-fianls will be played on March 31.
The draws for the Youth A Knock-Out quarter-finals were as follows: Attard vs Zurrieq, Floriana vs St. Patrick, Sliema Wanderers vs Birkirkara, Naxxar Lions vs Rabat Ajax.
On the other hand, the draws for the Youth A Knock-Out quarter-finals were: Melita vs St. Andrews, Birzebbuga St. Peter's/Msida St. Joseph vs Dingli Swallows/Mgarr United, Senglea Athletic/Tarxien Rainbows vs Gzira United and Pembroke Athleta vs Fgura United.
- The FA Trophy second round match between Msida St. Joseph and Hamrun Spartans that was originally scheduled for last Sunday will now be played on Monday March 1st at the Centenary Stadium.
The match was postponed as the rain which hit the Maltese islands on Sunday morning rendered the pitch unfit to stage two matches.
Tue 24
- Balzan Youths suffered a major setback ahead of their commitments in the Relegation Pool as they will be without captain Jaroslav Marx for six to eight weeks.
Marx sustained an injury in the FA Trophy second round match against Floriana last Saturday. The midfielder from the Czech Republic abandoned the pitch on 66 minutes and was replaced by goalkeeper Miguel Montfort as Ernest Barry had just been sent off.
He will therefore miss the first three matches of the Relegation Pool against Valletta, Hamrun Spartans and Msida St. Joseph and possibly the other game against Valletta.
Meanwhile the Youths will be without another two players in their first game against the Citizens. Stefan Zahra, who was sent off from the bench in the last league game, and Ernest Barry are both suspended.
Sun 22
- FA Trophy Mosta vs Lija A. 3-1, Msida SJ vs Hamrun S. postponed
- Second Division Vittoriosa S. vs St. Andrews 1-0, Xghajra T. vs Zurrieq 0-2, Gozo vs Gzira U. 2-2
- Women's League Raiders vs Mosta 0-1, Rabat A. vs Melita 0-5
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Sannat L. 0-0
Sat 21
- FA Trophy Floriana vs Balzan Y. 1-0, Pietà H. vs Marsaxlokk 1-3
- Second Division Zejtun C. vs Attard 1-2, St. George's vs Dingli S. 1-0
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Zebbug R. 1-1
- Gozo - Second Division Knock-Out Final Qala SJ vs Xaghra U. 2-3 (golden goal)
Fri 20
- Marsaxlokk duo Etienne Barbara and Daniel Bogdanovic are expected to go for a trial in Germany later on this season. This could be possible thanks to the assistance of German scout Wolfgang Rolff who visited Malta over the past days. Marsaxlokk president Victor Sciriha is negotiating the possibility for these two players to go for a trial.
Wed 18
- International Tournament Malta vs Belarus 0-4, Estonia vs Moldova 1-0
- Malta retained the 128th place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as published on Wednesday.
The Malta International Tournament match against Moldova which ended in a goalless draw was taken into account.
Among the other European countries, Malta is 47th, ahead of Kazakhstan (135), Andorra (147), Liechtenstein (148), Luxembourg (153) and San Marino (162).
The next commitments for Malta are the friendly matches against Finland in March and against Germany in Freibury in May.
Mon 16
- International Tournament Malta vs Estonia 5-2, Moldova vs Belarus 0-1
- Nineteen-year old Nigerian striker Olumuyiwa Aganun of Msida St. Joseph was invited for a trial with Italian Serie A side Udinese.
Aganun is expected to leave Malta towards the end of the month and is expected to stay for 7-10 days in Udinese following an agreement between the two clubs.
Udinese general manager Pierpaolo Marino made a formal request for the player to be allowed to join them for a trial.
Sun 15
- First Division Senglea A. vs Rabat A. 4-1, Lija A. vs Naxxar L. 2-3, St. Patrick vs San Gwann 2-1, Mqabba vs Mosta 1-1
- Second Division St. Andrews vs Xghajra T. 0-1, Zebbug R. vs Mellieha 0-1
- Third Division Birzebbuga SP vs Melita 1-1, Mgarr U. vs Luqa SA 1-0
- Women's League Mosta vs Rabat A. 4-0, Hibernians vs Birkirkara 3-2
- Gozo - First Division Kercem A. vs Ghajnsielem 1-3, Victoria H. vs Nadur Y. 2-4
-
Msida St. Joseph coach Joseph Grech quit the club with immediate effect.
Grech, who lead Msida to consecutive promotions from Division 2 to the Premier League, resigned as he claimed the committee tried to interfere in the coaching of the team.
Msida issued a statement on Saturday denying any interference.
According to the statement signed by vice-president Dr Kevin Deguara and PRO Antoine Portelli, in a meeting on Wednesday, the committee decided to appoint president Joe Demarco to act as consultant in the preparation ahead of the important matches in the Relegation Pool. They claim Mr. Demarco is also a qualified coach and therefore could assist the coach in such a delicate period for the club.
Msida say this decision has probably been interpreted as interference by coach Joseph Grech although the committee's decision was taken only for the club's good.
The committee of Msida St. Joseph states Grech's attitude was considered as not being professional as they claim he was not even ready to discuss the issue with the committee.
The committee thanked Grech for his role in the club's successes over the past three years.
With the Relegation Pool starting in a couple of weeks' time, Msida are now working hard to find a solution as quickly as possible
Meanwhile in another statement, Nigerian striker Olumuyiwa Aganun made an apology after that an offensive gesture towards the Floriana supporters cost him a red card, leaving Msida playing in ten men last Sunday.
He promised Msida supporters he will be giving his very best to help Msida in their struggle against Relegation.
- Etienne Barbara and Michael Mifsud are set to return for Malta as Horst Heese's side Malta plays the second match in the Malta International Tournament against Estonia on Monday.
These are not expected to be the only changes. In fact, Floriana defender Stephen Wellman is also set to make his debut for Malta while Saviour Darmanin should replace Mario Muscat in goal.
The starting line-up is in fact expected to be: Saviour Darmanin, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Brian Said, Stephen Wellman, Ian Azzopardi, Noel Turner, Stefan Giglio, Ivan Woods, Claude Mattocks, Michael Mifsud, Etienne Barbara.
Speaking after the game against Moldova, national coach Horst Heese said he was satisfied with the performance especially during the second half.
"In the first half, it was just kick-and-rush. We were unable to control the ball and we are quite lucky to have a strong defence. Up front, we failed to impress. However after making the changes, we improved and managed to build a number of attacks. Our players showed that their physical fitness is good."
Heese was satisfied with the performance of the rear-guard which played the 'flat-back-four' system. This was the first time, this system was used, as against Poland, Malta had played with five defenders.
Heese and Busuttil stressed that they will keep trying new players in the remaining two matches and that they will not risk playing injured players.
But while saying that the target is to try new players, Heese pointed out that new players in the squad had to adjust themselves to the team. "We work on team spirit and team work. When someone thinks he is too good, there is no place for him in the national team."
This is the third time, Malta and Estonia are facing each other. Malta has a most positive record against the Estonians. In fact, following a goalless draw at Ta' Qali in October 1992, Malta registered a 1-0 win in Tallinn in May 1993. Both matches were from the World Cup qualifiers.
Ghenadie Orlic from the FA of Moldova will be controlling the match. He will be assisted by Ingmar Spiteri, Joe Camilleri and fourth official Valery Vialichka.
Sat 14
- International Tournament Belarus vs Estonia 1-2, Malta vs Moldova 0-0
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs St. Lawrence S. 0-3
Fri 13
- Football matches in Gozo should resume this weekend after the Malta Football Association had decided not to appoint any referees for last Tuesday's Easyline First Division match between Xewkija Tigers and Sannat Lions. This decision has now been revoked following disciplinary action which was taken by the Gozo FA against Kercem Ajax and Todor Raykov.
Kercem Ajax coach Todor Raykov had been suspended for three months by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner. However the GFA Appeals Board reduced this suspension to just one month. Something which the MFA did not agree with and in fact they informed the member association that the original suspension had to stand.
The Gozo FA claimed Kercem were informed about this decision. However Raykov still lead his side in the Easyline First Division match against Nadur Youngsters on Sunday.
Following a meeting of the disciplinary board of the Gozo Football Association, Kercem Ajax have been fined Lm 100 while Raykov has been suspended till the end of season 2003/04. Both were put on probation. If Kercem commit a similar offence, they will be relegated and fined Lm 500. On the other hand, the Bulgarian coach would be suspended for five years.
The Malta Football Association is now satisfied with how the Gozo FA has now dealt with the incident and therefore referee appointments for the GFA matches will be issued once again.
- For a veteran player like Joe Brincat who plays his farewell match for Malta, four players could make their debut for Malta as Horst Heese's side hosts Moldova in the opening match of the Malta International Tournament on Saturday.
In fact, with Michael Mifsud, Chucks Nwoko, Gilbert Agius and Daniel Theuma all ruled out injured and with the coaching tandem Heese-Busuttil aiming to try as much players as possible, the four newcomers in the squad may all get a chance to play.
The uncapped players in the squad are defenders Alex Muscat of Balzan Youths, Stephen Wellman of Floriana and midfielders Cleaven Frendo of Pietà Hotspurs and Roderick Bajada of Hamrun Spartans. It was also the first national team call-up for these players.
Heese, who was appointed as national coach, last October, had already introduced five players in a friendly match against Poland in December. Ian Azzopardi, Gareth Sciberras, Claude Mattocks and Ivan Woods were confirmed while Roderick Briffa is nursing an injury.
Saturday's appearance will mark the 103rd cap for Joe Brincat. The Sliema Wanderers midfielder had quit the national team last summer following a clash with the previous coach, Siegfried Held. But the Malta Football Association had then granted Brincat's wish to make one final appearance for the national team.
Heese is expected to start with these players: Mario Muscat, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Brian Said, Ian Azzopardi, Stefan Giglio, William Camenzuli, Noel Turner, Joe Brincat, Claude Mattocks, Ivan Woods, Cleaven Frendo.
The other players at his disposal are Saviour Damanin, David Carabott, Alex Muscat, Stephen Wellman, Roderick Bajada, Etienne Barbara, Gareth Sciberras and Antoine Zahra.
Moldova coach Victor Pasulko is also expected to field a number of new players. In fact, no less than nine uncapped players are part of the squad - Cornel Popov, Andrian Cucovei, Nicolae Josan, Andrei Corneencov, Victor Golovatenco, Alexandr Tcaciuc, Serghei Pisnic, Serghei Japalau and Alexandru Namasco.
From the provisional squad, he had named last week, Roman Radcenco (FC Tiraspol)and Oleg Hromtov (Tiligul) were dropped as they are injured. On the other hand, Boris Cebotari and Ghenadie Olexici both of Zimbru Chisinau were also left out.
The squad is therefore made up of:
goalkeepers Evheny Matiugin (Tiligul), Alexandr Melenciuc (FC Tiraspol);
defenders Corneliu Popov (Dacia), Liviu Andriuta (Dacia), Ivan Testemitanu (Sheriff Tiraspol), Andrian Cucovei (Zimbru), Valeriu Catinsus (Chernomorets Odessa - Ukraine), Victor Golovatenco (FC Tiraspol), Eduard Valuta (Metalurh Zaporizhya - Ukraine), Alexei Savinov (Metalurh Zaporizhya - Ukraine);
midfielders Vadim Boret (Sheriff Tiraspol), Andrei Corneencov (FC Tiraspol), Nicolai Josan (FC Tiraspol), Alexandr Namasco (FC Tiraspol), Alexandr Tcaciuc (Nistru), Segei Covalciuc (Karpaty Lviv - Ukraine), Sergei Pisnic (Zimbru), Sergei Japalau (Dacia) and
forwards Denis Calincov (Anderlecht - Belgium), Alexandr Golban (Dacia).
Malta and Moldova faced each other three times. The last clash goes back two years as Moldova were taking part in the last edition of the tournament which was held in 2002. On that occasion, Malta won 3-0 to claim the tournament. The two countries met in another two friendly matches with Moldova winning both matches - 2-0 at Ta' Qali in March 1999 and 1-0 in Chisinau in August 2000.
The match will be controlled by the referee Valery Vialichka from Belarus and will be assisted by Konrad Borg, Joe Camilleri and fourth official Sten Kaldma (Estonia). The Maltese players will be wearing black armbands as a sign of respect for the late Robbie Buttigieg who passed away earlier this week.
- The Malta International Football Tournament gets underway on Saturday with the first match between Belarus and Estonia.
Belarus are visiting Malta with a squad made up of players from the Under-21 side which qualified to the final eight of the UEFA Under 21 Championships and the Olympic Games in Athens. Last Wednesday, Belarus were drawn to play with Italy, Serbia-Montenegro and Croatia in the final tournament.
Out of the squad named by Under-21 head coach Yuri Puntus, only three players are "over-age" - Dmitry Lichtarovich, Oleg Strahanovich and Nikolai Rindiuk. Rindiuk together with goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov, midfielder Igor Rozhkov and strikers Maxim Tsigalko and Sergey Kornilenko are the only capped players in the squad.
Two of the leading members of the Belarus U-21 side, Alexandr Gleb and Timofei Kalachev, will not travel to Malta but will play for the national team of Belarus who will be taking part in another tournament in Cyprus.
Although Veaceslav Gleb (Hamburg) and Sergey Kornilenko (Dinamo Kyiv) are part of the squad, they will not be available for the game against Estonia as they are on duty for their clubs this weekend. They will play only in the matches against Moldova and Malta.
The players selected by Puntus are:
goalkeepers Yuri Zhevnov (BATE Borisov) Igor Logvinov (Torpedo-SKA Minsk);
defenders Vitaly Nadievsky (Neman Grodno), Pavel Kirilchik (Krivbass Krivoi Rog - Ukraine), Valery Tarasenko (BATE Borisov), Oleg Popel (Lokomotiv Moscow - Russia), Dmitry Molosh (BATE Borisov), Alexei Baga (BATE Borisov), Roman Kirenkin (Naftan Novopolotsk);
midfielders Dmitry Lictarovich (BATE Borisov), Oleg Strahanovich (BATE Borisov), Oleg Shkabara (BATE Borisov), Igor Rozhkov (Dinamo Minsk), Pavel Shmigero (BATE Borisov), Viktor Sokol (Dinamo Minsk), Alexei Suchkov (Karpaty Lvov Ukraine) and
forwards Maxim Tsigalko (Dinamo Minsk), Pavel Begansky (BATE Borisov), Artem Kontsevoy (Spartak Moscow - Russia), Veaceslav Gleb (Hamburg - Germany), Sergey Kornilenko (Dinamo Kiev - Ukraine) and Nikolai Rindiuk (BATE Borisov).
The national team of Estonia is build around the players of Estonian champions Flora Talinn. In fact, the squad includes sixteen players of Flora Tallinn. The national coach is also the coach of the same club, Dutchman Arno Pijpers.
Missing from the squad are some of the top players in Estonia like goalkeeper Mart Poom of Sunderland, FC Copenhagen's Urmas Rooba, Andres Oper of Torpedo Moscow, Andrei Stepanov of Torpedo Moscow, Indrek Zelinski of Frem Copenhagen, Sergei Terehhov of Haka Valkeakoski and Tavi Rähn were also left out of the squad.
There is only one foreign-based player in the squad but only two uncapped players - goalkeeper Rene Kaas and midfielder Aleksandr Dmitrijev.
The squad is made of:
goalkeepers Martin Kaalma (FC Flora Tallinn) and Rene Kaas (FC Flora Tallinn);
defenders Erko Saviauk (FC Flora Tallinn), Enar Jääger (FC Flora Tallinn), Raio Piiroja (FC Flora Tallinn), Teet Allas (FC Flora Tallinn), Marek Lemsalu (Bryne FK - Norway), Sergei Hohlov-Simson (FC Levadia Tallinn), Ragnar Klavan (FC Flora Tallinn);
midfielders Marko Kristal (FC Flora Tallinn), Meelis Rooba (FC Flora Tallinn), Ott Reinumäe (FC Flora Tallinn), Martin Reim (FC Flora Tallinn), Joel Lindpere (FC Flora Tallinn), Aleksandr Dmitrijev (FC Levadia Maardu), Maksim Smirnov (FC TVMK Tallinn) and
forwards Kristen Viikmäe (FC Flora Tallinn), Kert Haavistu (FC Flora Tallinn), Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (FC Flora Tallinn) and Aleksander Saharov (FC Flora Tallinn).
Estonia and Belarus faced each other three times over the past eight years. In the qualifiers for the 2008 FIFA World Cup, Belarus won 1-0 in Minsk in August 1996 but Estonia replied with a 1-0 win in Tallinn two months later. In June 2000, Estonia defeated Belarus 2-0 in a friendly match in Tallinn.
Wed 11
- National coach Horst Heese and his assitant Carmel Busuttil named a 19-man squad for the opening match of the Malta International Tournament against Moldova on Saturday. Michael Mifsud, Chucks Nwoko, Gilbert Agius and Daniel Theuma were the four players to be dropped as they are all injured.
Heese had already announced on Monday that Agius and Theuma were seriously in doubt for the game as they were still suffering from injuries.
Sliema Wanderers midfielder Joe Brincat, on the other hand, is part of the squad as he plays his farewell match for Malta.
After including Stephen Wellman, Alex Muscat and Cleaven Frendo, another player from the Under-21 squad received his first national team call-up. Hamrun Spartans midfielder Roderick Bajada is in fact the latest addition to the national team squad.
The squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà) and Mario Muscat (Hibernians);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), David Carabott (Marsaxlokk), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema), Alex Muscat (Balzan), Brian Said (Sliema), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
midfielders Roderick Bajada (Hamrun), Etienne Barbara (Marsaxlokk), Joe Brincat (Sliema), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Stefan Giglio (Sliema), Claude Mattocks (Floriana), Gareth Sciberras (Pietà), Noel Turner (Sliema) and
forwards Ivan Woods (Pietà) and Antoine Zahra (Hibernians).
Malta and Moldova faced each other three times. The last clash goes back two years as Moldova were taking part in the last edition of the tournament which was held in 2002. On that occasion, Malta won 3-0 to claim the tournament. The two countries met in another two friendly matches with Moldova winning both matches - 2-0 at Ta' Qali in March 1999 and 1-0 in Chisinau in August 2000.
After playing Moldova on Saturday 14, Malta faces Estonia on Monday 16 and Belarus on Wednesday 18.
- Three Premier League players will be missing the first game of the second phase after being handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner.
Pietà Hotspurs defender Chris Okoh and Olumuyiwa Aganun of Msida St. Joseph were sent off during the weekend while Digger Okonkwo, also of Pietà Hotspurs, collected his fourth yellow card.
Okoh and Okonkwo will miss the game against leaders Sliema Wanderers. On the other hand, Aganun will be unavailable for the game against Hamrun Spartans.
Other players to be suspended were Gordon Camenzuli of Lija Athletic, Geoffrey Grima of Kirkop United and Stuart Abdilla of Zurrieq Under-19.
Tue 10
- Second Division Attard vs Vittoriosa S. 0-0, St. George's vs Zurrieq 1-0, Gozo vs Mellieha 2-0
- Third Division Fgura U. vs Gudja U. 2-3, Gharghur vs Ghaxaq 3-1
- Gozo - First Division Sannat L. vs Xewkija T. postponed
The Easyline GFA First Division match between Xewkija Tigers and Sannat Lions which was due to be played on Tuesday had to be postponed after the Malta Football Association decided not to appoint any referees for this game.
What sparked the clash between the two associations was the suspension of Kercem Ajax coach Todor Raykov. Raykov was suspended for three months by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner. However the GFA Appeals Board reduced this suspension to just one month. Something which the MFA did not agree with.
In fact, referees were insructed not to allow the kick-off of last Sunday's game between Kercem and Nadur if Raykov was present on the bench. However the appointed referee still allowed the game to take place.
Therefore the MFA reacted by not appointing any referees for Tuesday's game.
Mon 9
- MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud appealed for the people's support for the national team ahead of the Malta International Tournament which gets underway on Saturday. He was speaking during a press conference which was held at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali on Monday.
Dr Mifsud said that young players need the support of the public. "Without the fans' encouragement, players cannot give their very best as they are less motivated."
For this reason, the Malta Football Association is keeping match ticket prices the same as those for league matches: Lm 3 for the West Stand A and C and Lm 2 for the Millennium Stand. Ladies, children and holders of the Kartanzjan enter free of charge. Public transport will be provided from Valletta an hour before the kick-off of the first match.
The MFA president said that for the first time, the tournament is without a sponsor. However the association still went on with the organization of the tournament as this plays an important role in the preparation of the national team.
The three matches will act as preparation for the ten World Cup qualifying matches which start in September.
National coach Horst Heese said the team has been training hard over the past week as he and Carmel Busuttil focussed most on the physical fitness, tactical development and building the team spirit. In order to avoid clashes with clubs's training programmes, club coaches were given the national team training programme.
Heese revealed that following recent tests which were carried out at the labs of the Malta Olympic Committee, it was discovered that the players' endurance is satisfactory although they lack "explosive power".
The national coach said this tournament will provide a good opportunity to try players and see how far are they away from reaching their peak. He admitted that the players are doing their best in training sessions but unfortunately, they are not doing so in league matches.
Heese announced that Daniel Bogdanovic is no longer part of the national squad and that Daniel Theuma and Gilbert Agius will probably miss the first game of the tournament as they are still recovering from injuries.
Meanwhile the six matches in the tournament will be controlled by three Maltese FIFA referees - Adrian Casha, Joe Attard and Lorry Sammut - together with three referees from the FAs of Belarus, Estonia and Moldova - Valery Vialichka, Sten Kaldma and Ghenadie Orlic. These referees will be assisted by the eight Maltese assistant referees - Ingmar Spiteri, Alan Camilleri, Konrad Borg, Joe Camilleri, Philip Agius, James Vella Clark, Nicky Debattista and Joe Rapa. Anton Zammit will be acting as fourth official in two matches.
The tournament had started as an initiative of the Malta Football Association and Central Cigarette Company Limited. The first edition was held in 1986 with Kaiserslautern emerging as winners. In fact during the first two editions, the visiting sides were clubs. Since 1988, national teams took part in the tournament with Malta emerging as winners in 1992 and 2002.
- Floriana, winners of the FA Trophy eighteen times were drawn to face Balzan Youths in the second round of the competition. Floriana had defeated them 5-1 in the first round but then they drew 2-2.
An attractive fixture is the clash between Pietà Hotspurs and Marsaxlokk. The Southseasiders defeated Pietà 1-0 last month after the clash between the two ended in a draw in the first round.
One First Division side is sure of reaching the quarter-finals when Mosta were paired with Lija Athletic. The other second round clash puts Msida St. Joseph against neighbours Hamrun Spartans.
The four teams who qualify from this round join holders Birkirkara, Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians and Valletta in the quarter-finals which will be played on April 3 and 4.
The second round will be played on February 21 at the National Stadium and February 22 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium or the Hibernians Ground in the morning.
- The champions in each of the four divisions of the MIA National Leagues from the Premier League to Division 3 will be receiving new trophies as these were presented during a press conference which was held at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali on Monday.
The new trophies and the miniatures, which are part of the MIA sponsorship, were designed by Ludovico Micallef and manufactured by Cutajar Works.
Micallef said the idea was the standardization of the trophies. In fact there is no great difference between them and the miniatures, which a club retains, is an almost exact replica of the original trophy.
The trophies lie on a bronze base and are silver plated with the Premier League trophy being gold-plated.
Charles Cutajar of Cutajar Works said that the new trophies are a product entirely 'Made in Malta'. These were all hand-made.
Meanwhile MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said that the Malta Football Association is working hard after the publication of the results of the MISCO survey.
Following a presentation to the Executive, the clubs' presidents and the Council, a Board was appointed and this issued a preliminary report. Discussions were held with clubs and media representatives and a second preliminary report will be issued shortly.
Dr Mifsud revealed that following meetings with the clubs' presidents, a number of measures will be put into effect in the coming days.
As from February 21, adults accompanying children playing for nurseries will pay just Lm 1.50 at the Millennium Stand. The children should be in possession of their players' ID card.
To fight the general public's perception on corruption, a joint-statement by clubs will be condemning without any reservations any sort of corruption in the game and will be reporting any case to the MFA and police authorities.
A round-table conference will be held in order to tackle the negative reporting by some sectors of the media. Attending this conference will be MFA officials, club presidents and the heads of sports of TV and radio stations and newspapers. The target is to deliver a better image of the game to the public.
As from next season, season tickets should be available. The Malta Football Association will be working hard to put this plan into effect despite the presence of a number of difficulties.
Dr Mifsud finally revealed that the MFA and clubs are close to reaching an agreement over the reduction of the number of teams in the Premier League from ten to eight teams in two years' time.
Sun 8
- Premier League Msida SJ vs Floriana 2-4, Marsaxlokk vs Hibernians 1-1
- First Division Marsa vs Lija A. 1-1, Mosta vs Tarxien R. 2-2
- Second Division Gzira U. vs Zejtun C. 0-1, Dingli S. vs Zebbug R. 1-1
- Third Division Sirens vs Pembroke A. 2-2, Kirkop U. vs Sta. Venera L. 0-2
- Women's League Birkirkara vs Melita 2-0, Raiders vs Hibernians 0-7
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Kercem A. 1-0, Zebbug R. vs Victoria H. 3-2
Sat 7
- Premier League Pietà H. vs Sliema W. 0-3, Hamrun S. vs Birkirkara 0-6
- Third Division Sta. Lucia vs Mgarr U. 3-2, Qormi vs Birzebbuga SP 1-1
- Gozo - Second Division Qala SJ vs SK Victoria W. 1-1
Fri 6
- Pietà Hotspurs striker Cleaven Frendo, Stephen Wellman of Floriana and Balzan Youths defender Alex Muscat are three new faces in the provisional Malta squad for the Malta International Football Tournament which gets underway on February 14.
National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil named a 22-man squad which also includes Sliema Wanderers midfielder Joe Brincat. Brincat will play his farewell match for Malta in the opening match of the tournament against Moldova.
This is the first national team call for both Stephen Wellman and Alex Muscat. Wellman, better known as a striker, is being employed successfully on the left flank by Floriana coach Ziya Yildiz. On the other hand, 19-year old Alex Muscat, who is a Sliema Wanderers product, is doing very well for Balzan Youths in his first Premier League experience. Muscat, a member of Mark Miller's Under-21 squad, was on loan with Lija Athletic last season.
Eighteen-year old Cleaven Frendo has been training with the national squad since the appointment of Heese and Busuttil. However he was not included in the friendly against Poland last December.
Missing from the squad is defender Luke Dimech, who asked the national coach to be left out in order not to lose his playing chances at Mansfield Town. Also missing from the squad are Birkirkara duo Roderick Briffa and George Mallia, both injured. Daniel Bogdanovic was dropped from the squad a couple of weeks ago.
Other players may be called in during the tournament as the target of Heese and Busuttil is to find new blood to inject in the national squad.
The squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà) and Mario Muscat (Hibernians);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), David Carabott (Marsaxlokk), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema), Alex Muscat (Balzan), Brian Said (Sliema), Daniel Theuma (Valletta), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Etienne Barbara (Marsaxlokk), Joe Brincat (Sliema), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Stefan Giglio (Sliema), Claude Mattocks (Floriana), Gareth Sciberras (Pietà), Noel Turner (Sliema) and
forwards Michael Mifsud (Sliema), Chucks Nwoko (Birkirkara), Ivan Woods (Pietà) and Antoine Zahra (Hibernians).
After playing Moldova on Saturday 14, Malta faces Estonia on Monday 16 and Belarus on Wednesday 18.
- Moldova coach Victor Pasulko has named an experimental squad for the Malta International Football Tournament which will be held between February 14 and 18 at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali.
There are only three foreign-based players are included in the 22-man sqaud - Denis Calincov of Anderlecht, Valeriu Catinsus of FC Chornomorets Odesa and Serghei Covalciuc of FC Karpaty Lviv. On the other hand, there is no less than ten uncapped players namely Cornel Popov, Andrian Cucovei, Nicolae Josan, Andrei Corneencov, Victor Golovatenco, Alexandr Tcaciuc, Serghei Pisnic, Serghei Japalau, Oleg Hromtov and Alexandru Namasco.
The squad is made up of
goalkeepers Evheny Matiugin (Tiligul), Alexandr Melenciuc (FC Tiraspol);
defenders Corneliu Popov (Dacia), Liviu Andriuta (Dacia), Ivan Testemitanu (Serif), Andrian Cucovei (Zimbru), Valeriu Catinsus (Chernomorets Odessa - Ukraine), Victor Golovatenco (FC Tiraspol);
midfielders Vadim Boret (Serif), Boris Cebotari (Zimbru), Andrei Corneencov (FC Tiraspol), Nicolai Josan (FC Tiraspol), Alexandr Namasco (FC Tiraspol), Ghenadie Olexici (Zimbru), Alexandr Tcaciuc (Nistru), Segei Covalciuc (Karpaty Lviv - Ukraine), Sergei Pisnic (Zimbru), Sergei Japalau (Dacia) and
forwards Denis Calincov (RSA Anderlecht - Belgium), Oleg Hromtov (Tiligul), Alexandr Golban (Dacia), Roman Radcenco (FC Tiraspol)
Thu 5
- The instant impact Michael Mifsud has made on his return to the fold of Sliema Wanderers after his stint with Kaiserslautern which lasted over two seasons, has earned him the MIA 'Player of the Month' award for January, 2004.
This player's quicksilver runs and acute goal sense helped him score four goals in the three matches he played so far, feats which earned him win the 'Player of the Match' award on the three occasions. He thus went some way towards lifting his colleagues' game and Sliema Wanderers to the top of the Premier League standings.
- Estonia coach Arno Pijpers named a 20-man squad for the Malta International Tournament which will be held between February 14 and 18.
Pijpers had to leave out a number of regular players due to injuries and club commitments. In fact, the top three players in the 2003 Estonian Player of the Year poll – Mart Poom of Sunderland, FC Copenhagen's Urmas Rooba and Andres Oper of Torpedo Moscow – are all missing. Poom has a tight schedule in the English first division, while Rooba and Oper are recovering from surgery on knee and achilles tendon problems.
Andrei Stepanov of Torpedo Moscow, Indrek Zelinski of Frem Copenhagen, Sergei Terehhov of Haka Valkeakoski and Tavi Rähn
were also left out of the squad.
There is only one foreign-based player in the squad while sixteen players come from the champions, Flora Tallinn, who are currently on a training camp in Malta. The only two uncapped players are goalkeeper Rene Kaas and midfielder Aleksandr Dmitrijev.
Estonia plays the first game against Belarus on Saturday 14, against Malta on Monday 16 and Moldova on Wednesday 16.
The squad is made of:
goalkeepers Martin Kaalma (FC Flora Tallinn) and Rene Kaas (FC Flora Tallinn);
defenders Erko Saviauk (FC Flora Tallinn), Enar Jääger (FC Flora Tallinn), Raio Piiroja (FC Flora Tallinn), Teet Allas (FC Flora Tallinn), Marek Lemsalu (Bryne FK - Norway), Sergei Hohlov-Simson (FC Levadia Tallinn), Ragnar Klavan (FC Flora Tallinn);
midfielders Marko Kristal (FC Flora Tallinn), Meelis Rooba (FC Flora Tallinn), Ott Reinumäe (FC Flora Tallinn), Martin Reim (FC Flora Tallinn), Joel Lindpere (FC Flora Tallinn), Aleksandr Dmitrijev (FC Levadia Maardu), Maksim Smirnov (FC TVMK Tallinn) and
forwards Kristen Viikmäe (FC Flora Tallinn), Kert Haavistu (FC Flora Tallinn), Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (FC Flora Tallinn) and Aleksander Saharov (FC Flora Tallinn).
- When the Malta Football Association joined the FIFA ranks in 1959 and a year later UEFA, Malta' s sights were set on entering the continental and world orbit of competitive football. After 59 years since the MFA was founded many thought the time was ripe for our Association to form part of the international fold.
From a flimsy average of two friendly matches a year, starting in February 1957 with that memorable curtain-raising 3-2 defeat against Austria, the Malta 'A' team or a representative XI began making more sorties in the official international arena, mostly in World Cup and European Championships.
This new competitive scenario brought about the need for frequent testing of our national teams at all levels. Club sides were also to enter the stage. However, the main standard-bearer was Malta's 'A' team, which was the prime product of our game.
Our top performers had to be gauged against those of other countries and more friendly matches were rightly thought to be adequate benchmarking for Malta in view of its European Championship and World Cup commitments.
The bright chapter of Rothmans' link with Maltese football as sponsors of the MFA's main competitions and international tournaments, eventually outlawed through global legislation, had 'The Rothmans International Football Tournament' as its high point. This event, pioneered by the Malta representatives of Rothmans in 1986, kept growing in stature until the tobacco firm had to bow out in 2002.
A competition of this sort naturally complemented our National Team's preparatory programme. It was an opportunioty for the various National Coaches we had to provide their players with physical and practical tests prior to sterner outings on the European competitive platform.
The tournament took off on a club basis, with Malta participating under the name of 'MFA XI'. After the first two editions won by Kaiserslautertn and Stuttgart, it was decided that the competition would only involve national teams. The East German Olympic Team opened the account when landing the 1988 prize. From 1990 the event was held bi-annually.
Henceforth, teams of the calibre of Russia, Slovenia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and South Korea entered the scene. The other crop was composed of States within the former Soviet Union like Georgia, Latvia and Lithuania, with Azerbaijan, Albania and Andorra completing the array across the continental east, central and extreme west points. Tunisia and Algeria were the guests from Africa.
Between 1989 and 2002 Algeria, Norway, Slovenia, Russia, Georgia and Albania won the tournament in that order, with Malta managing to inscribe its name in the honours' list in 1992 and in 2002.
The XII edition will see the participation of yet another Baltic State, Estonia, while Moldova and Belarus make up the other two to face Malta.
The stage is thus set for another home-based tournament which should offer coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil useful indicators for experimentation and consolidation of Malta's national team.
Wed 4
- In a statement, the Malta Football Referees Association deplored and condemned the violent behavior of some players on one of its members during the past weeks. These attacks took place during football matches. The MFRA expressed its hopes that these aggressive outbursts do not repeat themselves in the future.
- Three Premier League players were suspended for one match by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner.
Marsaxlokk captain David Carabott and Pietà Hotspurs midfielder Keith Fenech collected their fourth yellow card while Balzan Youths striker Stefan Zahra was sent off from the bench a few minutes after being substituted in the game against Valletta.
Carabott and Fenech will miss the last games from the first phase against Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers respectively. On the other hand, Stefan Zahra will be missing the first game from the Relegation Pool against Valletta on February 29.
Meanwhile two players were suspended in Division 1 - Dean Gera of Naxxar and Peter Anizoba Chizoba of St Patrick. Mqabba official Mario Borg was fined Lm 10.
Other players who were suspended are Edwin Casha (Dingli), Johann Attard (Gozo FC), Hubert Vella (Mellieha), Charles Cachia (Vittoriosa) and two youth players Chris Grech (Gudja) and Ryan Fenech (Hamrun).
- Organised Football as we all know has been extended to an offshoot termed 'Futsal', an addenda to UEFA's list of competitions since 1996 when the first continental tournament on a national-team basis was staged in Spain. A year later championship status was established for Futsal and the UEFA European Futsal Championship came into being.
Basically the rules of the game are familiar with many football followers, only that Futsal, normally played in a 40m long by 20m wide indoor pitch, has five players in each team.
Rules pertaining to handball, basketball and waterpolo, somehow find their way in this game. Different concepts in terms of timekeeping, timeouts, substitutions and duties of officials give Futsal a different texture from normal Football in the way a match is controlled.
In Malta the game is naturally played within the jurisdiction of the Malta FA. The section is under the responsibility of vice-president John Farrugia, with Mario Gauci taking on the responsibilities of Secretary.
Futsal is in its fifth season in Malta, the first official match having been played in 1999. The national leagues, are composed of three divisions, two sections in the first, two in the second and three in the third, with each section made up of six teams.
Malta currently has two referees on the FIFA Futsal panel, both of whom have been given recent recognition. They are Konrad Borg, also on the panel of the World Body as a Football assistant referee, and Dr Ian Miller, a new name on the MFRA list of officials.
Tue 3
- Belarus Under-21 head coach Yuri Puntus named a 22-man squad ahead of the Malta International Tournament which will be held between February 14 and 18. Nineteen players form part of the Under-21 squad which made it to the final eight of the UEFA Under 21 Championships and the Olympic Games in Athens.
However two of the leading members of the Belarus U-21 side, Alexandr Gleb and Timofei Kalachev, will not travel to Malta. In fact, both will be playing for the national team of Belarus who will be taking part in another tournament in Cyprus. The Cyprus FA Eight International Tournament kicks-off on February 18, the same day the Malta International Tournament comes to an end.
Taking part in the tournament, besides Belarus and hosts Malta, are Estonia and Moldova.
Dmitry Lichtarovich, Oleg Strahanovich and Nikolai Rindiuk are the only players "over-age". Rindiuk together with goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov, midfielder Igor Rozhkov and strikers Maxim Tsigalko and Sergey Kornilenko are the only capped players in the squad.
Veaceslav Gleb who has just signed for Hamburg and Sergey Kornilenko who plays for Dinamo Kyiv will be available only for the matches against Moldova and Malta. Belarus play the first game against Estonia on Saturday 14.
Puntus, who is the coach of one of the leading clubs in Belarus - BATE Borisov, will meet with his team only in Malta. Next week, he will travel to Germany where the draw for the final tournament of the UEFA Under-21 Championship will be held on Wednesday. He will then start preparing for the accommodation and training facilities for the team while they take part in the U-21 Championship final tournament. In the mean time, the team will be training under the guidance of his assistant Yury Pudishev.
Two players will be dropped from the squad as Puntus is expected to bring twenty players in Malta.
The players selected by Puntus are:
goalkeepers Yuri Zhevnov (BATE Borisov) Igor Logvinov (Torpedo-SKA Minsk);
defenders Vitaly Nadievsky (Neman Grodno), Pavel Kirilchik (Krivbass Krivoi Rog - Ukraine), Valery Tarasenko (BATE Borisov), Oleg Popel (Lokomotiv Moscow - Russia), Dmitry Molosh (BATE Borisov), Alexei Baga (BATE Borisov), Roman Kirenkin (Naftan Novopolotsk);
midfielders Dmitry Lictarovich (BATE Borisov), Oleg Strahanovich (BATE Borisov), Oleg Shkabara (BATE Borisov), Igor Rozhkov (Dinamo Üøòûë), Pavel Shmigero (BATE Borisov), Viktor Sokol (Dinamo Minsk), Alexei Suchkov (Karpaty Lvov Ukraine) and
forwards Maxim Tsigalko (Dinamo Minsk), Pavel Begansky (BATE Borisov), Artem Kontsevoy (Spartak Moscow - Russia), Veaceslav Gleb (Hamburg - Germany), Sergey Kornilenko (Dinamo Kiev - Ukraine) and Nikolai Rindiuk (BATE Borisov).
- The committee of the Malta Football Referees Association issued a statement in which it congratulates FIFA Referee Adrian D. Casha, the present Hon Secretary, for being voted the National Sports Contest Official of the Year 2003, organised by the Sportswriters Association.
"This is a great achievement, not only personal, but it goes beyond and all of us feel proud that one of us was awarded such an honour," says the statement issued by the MFRA.
The MFRA also congratulated the officials that were confirmed on the FIFA panel, in particular Nicholas Debattista who was is a new FIFA Assistant Referee and another two members who were given the FIFA Futsal Referee badge for the first time ever, namely Konrad G. Borg and Ian Miller.
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising another Instructional Meeting on Monday 9th February, 2004, for holders of the 'A' and 'B', UEFA 'A' and UEFA 'B' Licence Coaches. This meeting will commence at 17:30.
All coaches are advised to wear the proper attire for this session.
- Upon instructions by FIFA, the Malta Football Association will be holding an exam for those interested in becoming licensed Players' Agents. The exam will be held on Thursday March 25.
Those interested in sitting for this exam should fill in the application form issued by the MFA and send it to the secretary general of the MFA together with the relevant documents. Application forms should reach the MFA headquarters by March 1.
Application forms and copies of the Players' Agents Regulations may be obtained from the MFA Headquarters, 280 St. Paul's Street, Valletta.
- Following the success of the first two editions of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge, Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta (CSCM) are having talks with Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, to hold the third edition.
In the last issue of CSCM Newsletter, the club announced that it is now actively preparing for this year's Emirates Young Footballer Challenge which will be held in late Spring 2004. Chelsea Football Club will again extend their support for the forthcoming Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2004.
As part of the third edition, CSCM is planning to hold for the second time, a separate competition within the Emirates Young Footballer Challenge for the children of members. CSCM members will be able to register their children aged 9 to 15 years for the membership competition.
Forty-nine talented young footballers battled it out for the title of the second edition of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2003 held last May at the Centenary Stadium. The young footballers, who were born in 1990 and 1991, came from 22 Nursery Youth Clubs in Malta and Gozo. Once the negotiations are finalised, CSCM plans to launch the third edition at an official briefing in late March 2004.
"This competition offers an opportunity to individual young footballers, the Under 11 and Under 12 categories, to compete for the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge. We are ensuring that once negotiations are finalised with Emirates and Chelsea FC, this event will attract a higher number of participating Nursery Youth Clubs from Malta and Gozo," said Chris Micallef, Event Co-ordinator and Club Treasurer.
Malta was among the first countries to benefit from Emirates' £24 million 4-year sponsorship of Chelsea Football Club, which is in its third season, through the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge. The concept of this challenge was developed in Malta by CSCM in collaboration with Emirates Airline.
Chelsea FC Director of Football in the Community, Shaun Michael Gore, visited Malta last May 2003 specifically to assist the challenge. At the end of the competition he gave a thorough special training session to all young participants.
In an interview with uefa.com, following this grassroot football event, Mr Gore conveyed a message to Maltese kids aspiring to make the grade in football. He said: "If you are dedicated enough, then it can happen. In your everyday life, your nutrition, the way you eat, your dietary needs, your fitness levels - if you are professional enough at all levels, and want to chase your dream, then go for it 150 per cent. I would say keep trying and never give up, enjoy yourself, try to have fun. If you are professional enough in your way of playing football, then you will be professional in your own life as well."
Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge is organised every year with the approval of the Malta Football Association and supported by the London club, Chelsea FC.
Mon 2
- Second Division St. George's vs St. Andrews 3-1
Sun 1
- Premier League Hibernians vs Pietà H 0-0, Balzan Y. vs Valletta 1-2
- First Division Rabat A. vs Mqabba 1-2, Naxxar L. vs St. Patrick 3-1
- Second Division Zebbug R. vs Zurrieq 2-1, Xghajra T. vs Attard 0-1, Gozo vs Zejtun C. 4-1
- Third Division Luqa SA vs Siggiewi 2-0, Melita vs Ta' Xbiex 2-0
- Women's League Rabat A. vs Birkirkara 0-4, Hibernians vs Mosta 7-1