September 2004
Thu 30
- Premier League Msida SJ vs Lija A. 2-1, Birkirkara vs Floriana 3-0
- Gozo - First Division Xaghra U. vs Kercem A. 1-1
Wed 29
- Gozo - First Division Zebbug R. vs Victoria H. 1-1
Tue 28
- Third Division Luqa SA vs Sirens 0-1, Zurrieq vs Ta' Xbiex 2-0
- Malta concluded its commitments in Group 11 of the UEFA Under-17 Championship mini-tournament with a 1-0 win over San Marino in Belarus. Dylan Zarb scored the only goal as he converted a penalty on 68 minutes.
Mon 27
- Second Division St. Andrews vs Zebbug R. 5-0, Gzira U. vs Attard 2-0
Sun 26
- UEFA U-17 Mini-Tournament Portugal vs Malta 2-0
The Malta Under-17 side suffered a 0-2 defeat to Portugal in the second match of the Group 11 mini-tournament of the UEFA Under-17 Championship.
Santos Candeias scored the two goals on 27 and 38 minutes.
- Premier League Sliema W. vs St. Patrick 2-1, Hibernians vs Pietà H. 2-1
- First Division Balzan Y. vs San Gwann 2-0, Hamrun S. vs Gozo 0-0
- Second Division Melita vs Rabat A. 2-2, Dingli S. vs Mellieha 2-1
- Third Division Siggiewi vs Gudja U. 0-2, Xghajra T. vs Kalkara 3-0
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Ghajnsielem 1-3
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs Oratory Y. 0-2
- Following statements and comments appearing in certain sections of the Press resulting from the exclusion from the National Squad of four players, the MFA wishes to state that changes in the components of the National Squad is normal procedure and in consonance with a system of rotation undergone from time to time by Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil.
Comments by one of the dropped players may have given the wrong impression that there was a personal feud between the player concerned and Horst Heese over a brand of football shoes (adidas) not normally worn by the members of the Malta squad and which is different from those of the National Team sponsors (errea).
Regarding this matter, Horst Heese spoke to the players and to the then team captain, David Carabott, some weeks before Malta played Germany and there was no complaint whatsoever from any player regarding the use of other brands of shoes to be worn.
This did in no way disrupt the harmony among the players or give rise to any disagreement or feud between the coach and anyone in the squad.
The MFA stresses that exclusions from the squad only result from the current form of the players, as was the case when other players regained their places in the not too distant past after having earlier been dropped.
Sat 25
- Premier League Floriana vs Marsaxlokk 1-0, Valletta vs Lija A. 4-1
- Second Division Vittoriosa S. vs Qormi 0-4, Tarxien R. vs Sta. Venera L. 1-1
- Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs Sannat L. 0-1, Qala SJ vs SK Victoria W. 5-1
Fri 24
- Playing their final match in the UEFA Regions Cup - Central West mini-tournament, the Maltese Amateurs lost to strong English side Mid Cheshire by four goals to nil.
Under impossible ground conditions and torrential rain throughout the whole match, the Maltese played a good game and, despite the heavy defeat, were never technically inferior to their opponents.
In the 15th minute, a shot by the best player on the pitch Stephen Magri was parried in two attempts by the English custodian Mottram. Kris Calleja, guarding the Malta goal, then effected a fine save off a volley shot by David Murray in the 20th minute but could do nothing when England were awarded a penalty taken by Stephen Davies.
Early in the second half, the Maltese pressed their opponents in their half for long stretches but in a counter-attack Albanian referee Jareci awarded a second penalty converted once again by Davies.
Malta tried hard to reduce the arrears and a fine shot by Magriwas cleared off the line. A humdinger by England's stalwart Kevin Towey made it 3-0 in the 67th minute.
The Maltese did not throw the towel when Marlon Briffa's broke clear only to see his well-placed shot parried by the English custodian.
England made it 4-0 in the 75th minute from a dubious offside position.
England won this Group and qualified for the next Round.
Malta: Kris Calleja, Robert Adami (75' Alex Tramboo), Cliver Formosa, Bruce Genovese, Tyron Ghirxi, George Saliba, Ivan Zammit (74' Mark Psaila), Marlon Briffa, Mano Micallef, Stephen Magri, John Camilleri (53' Justin Camilleri).
- The Malta Under-17 side lost their opening match of the Group 11 mini-tournament of the UEFA Under-17 Championship against hosts Belarus by three goals to nil.
In a balanced first half, the Maltese conceded a goal following a defensive mistake in midfield.
On the resumption, the Belarus side imposed their superiority on the match scoring two more goals and hitting the posts twice.
Despite their defeat, the Maltese tried their utmost with Tyron Farrugia, Dylon Zarb and John Mintoff distinguishing themselves.
Maltese plays its second match against Portugal at the Torpedo Stadium on Sunday and finally against San Marino at the Torpedo Stadium on Tuesday.
- Msida St. Joseph Clint Micallef was handed a one-match ban after collecting four yellow cards in the first four Premier League matches.
Micallef will be missing the next game against Lija Athletic on September 30.
Other players to be suspended were Dino Trakosopoulos (Zurrieq) and Norbert Gerada (Zejtun) in the Second & Third Division Knock-Out.
Six youth players were handed a one-match ban: David Gafa (Attard), Chris Borg (Msida), Shawn Ellul (Mqabba), David Azzopardi (Pembroke), Clayton Ward and Owen Spiteri (Gzira).
Thu 23
- Twenty-eight year old Ghajnsielem defender Joseph Attard passed away in his sleep in the early hours of last Tuesday.
Attard, who was on loan with Sannat Lions last season, used to play for Gozo FC as well.
Last week, a traffic accident claimed the lives of Hibernians goalkeeper Luke Cassar and Menrick Yeomans who had just joined Hamrun. On the other hand, Darren Agius died while playing football in a 5-a-side pitch in Zabbar.
Wed 22
- Three Valletta players were suspended for one match and one official fined after being sent off and following incidents in the tunnel as the players were heading to the dressing room.
Rennie Forace and Ian Zammit were suspended for one match after being sent off.
Goalkeeper Sean Sullivan was also suspended for one match.
These three players will be missing next Saturday's Premier League clash with wooden-spoonists Lija Athletic.
Valletta assistant coach Martin Scicluna was fined Lm 15.
Meanwhile Valletta FC published a letter which they sent to MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud asking him to intervene not to allow referee Adrian Casha control any more matches involving Valletta as they claim this was not the first time they had suffered because of Mr Casha's control in league matches.
In the letter signed by secretary Anton Abela, Valletta claim "that the club, together with the association, worked hard in order to achieve exemplary behaviour by our supporters. However if they continue to be provoked in a similar matter, the club feels it could no longer be held responsible for their behaviour."
"If Casha is appointed as referee in one of our future matches, the club will have no other option other than take difficult decisions from which the club, other clubs and the association will suffer," concludes the statement.
- The Malta Amateurs registered a prestigious result when beating hosts Primorska of Slovenia 2-1 in the second match of the UEFA Regions Cup on Wednesday afternoon. In the first match, Malta lost 0-4 to Northern Ireland.
JJ Aquilina's team trailed 1-0 at half time but showed great determination and character and recovered strongly on the resumption through goals by Marlon Briffa on 76 minutes and Ivan Zammit on 79 minutes.
Malta lined up as follows: Kris Calleja, Clive Formosa, Bruce Genovese, Tyron Ghirxi, Justin Camilleri (65'John Camilleri), George Saliba (70' Matthew Portelli), Ivan Zammit, Marlon Briffa, Mano Micallef, Stephen Magri (85' Alex Tramboo).
Malta is now third with three points, behind Northern Ireland and English side Mid Cheshire, both on 4 points.
Malta will meet the English side in Koper on Friday in their final match of the mini-tournament.
- Malta Under-17 coaches Joe Grech and Charles Scerri named the final squad ahead of the UEFA Under-17 Championship mini-tournament which will be held in Belarus between September 24 and 28. Malta will be playing in group 11 of the qualification round together with Portugal, San Marino and hosts Belarus.
Malta faces hosts Belarus on Friday at the Traktor Stadium in Minsk on Friday 24, Portugal at the Torpedo Stadium on Sunday 26 and San Marino at the Torpedo Stadium on Tuesday 28.
The players named by Grech and Scerri are:
goalkeepers Henry Bonello (Sliema), Mark Sciberras (Birkirkara);
defenders Steve Borg (Mosta), David Falzon (Sta. Venera), Tyron Farrugia (Msida), Lee Galea (Floriana), Duncan Pisani (Floriana), Julian Tonna (Mellieha);
midfielders Ben Camilleri (Hibernians), Brendon Domenici (St. Patrick), Dominic Mifsud (Pietà), John Mintoff (Sliema), Dylan Zarb (Valletta) and
forwards Ryan Camilleri (Pietà), Glanville Goodlip (Pietà), Chris Pace (Mosta), Carl Pulo (Hibernians) and Quelin Refalo (Hibernians).
The Maltese contingent, headed by MFA Executive Committee member, Mr Charles Scerri, leaves Malta for Belarus (via Gatwick) on Wed. 22.09.04 at 08:15.
Tue 21
- Premier League Hibernians vs Msida SJ 1-1, Pietà H. vs Birkirkara 1-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out St. Andrews vs Ghaxaq 5-1, Zejtun C. vs Zebbug R. 0-2, Fgura U. vs Gzira U. 0-5, Pembroke A. vs Attard 2-5
- Gozo - Independence Cup Kercem A. vs Nadur Y. 1-1 aet (3-5 pen)
Mon 20
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Gudja U. vs Sta. Lucia 2-1, Mellieha vs Melita 1-1
- The Malta Amateur team lost 0-4 to Northern Ireland in the opening match of the UEFA Regions' Cup preliminary round Central/West mini-tournament which is being held in Slovenia.
The Maltese, under the charge of JJ Aquilina, were a goal down at half time - an own goal by Clive Formosa after ten minutes, before conceding three more in the final eight minutes - a brace by Craig (82' and 90') and a penalty by Sproule (87').
MALTA: Kris Calleja, Clive Formosa, Bruce Genovese, Tyron Ghirxi, Justin Camilleri (69' Mark Anthony Psaila), George Saliba, Ivan Zammit, Marlon Briffa, Mano Micallef, Stephen Magri, John Paul Muscat (27' John Camilleri).
Malta faces hosts Primorska in Izola in the second game on Wednesday and then plays the final match against side Mid Cheshire in Koper on Friday.
- Birkirkara striker Michael Galea was suspended for one match after being sent off last Friday. He will be missing the Premier League match against Pietà Hotspurs on Tuesday.
Sun 19
- Premier League St. Patrick vs Floriana 0-2, Lija A. vs Sliema W. 0-4
- First Division Naxxar L. vs Marsa 1-3
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Luqa SA vs Ta' Xbiex 4-1, Qormi vs Rabat A. 1-0, Zurrieq vs Mgarr U. 3-0, Sta. Venera L. vs Dingli S. 1-2
- Gozo - Independence Cup Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y. 2-4, Kercem A. vs Zebbug R. 2-0
Sat 18
- Premier League Marsaxlokk vs Pietà Hotspurs 4-1, Msida St. Joseph vs Valletta 4-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Xghajra T. vs Sirens 1-2, Vittoriosa S. vs Tarxien R. 0-0
- Young Hibernians goalkeeper Luke Cassar died tragically in a traffic accident in the early hours of Saturday.
Eighteen-year old Cassar, who hails from Fgura, and 20-year old Menrick Yeomans, also from Fgura, lost their lives after the Ford Transit van they were travelling in crashed into the wall separating the two tunnels at Sta. Venera.
The police report that Cassar lost control of his van on the way to Marsa and crashed into the wall at around 0230 CET. He was rushed to hospital but was certified dead at arrival.
The passenger was certified dead on site by a doctor from the Floriana Health Centre.
Cassar played for the Youths team and was the reserve goalkeeper for Mario Muscat in a number of matches last season. Yeomans was a youth player with Tarxien Rainbows and had just signed for Hamrun Spartans.
Meanwhile in another accident, a 25-year-old man from Floriana tragically lost his life while playing football in Zabbar on Friday evening.
Darren Agius was playing at the St. Patrick's 5-a-side pitch when he was struck by a ball in his chest and lost consciousness. He was given first-aid on the site of the incident; then subsequently rushed to St. Luke's Hospital by ambulance. However he lost his life briefly after arrival.
- Mario Muscat, Noel Turner, Antoine Zahra (Hibs) and Daniel Theuma were dropped from the national squad by national coaches Horst Heese and Carmel Busuttil.
This decision was taken on the current criteria of selecting and dropping players according to their form.
Noel Turner and Antoine Zahra were not regular starters in the national team while Daniel Theuma has not played in the national team since the defeat to Poland last December.
Mario Muscat, on the other hand, has been the No. 1 goalkeeper for the past four years and the fact that this decision was taken just a few days after the heavy 0-7 defeat to Sweden at Ta' Qali leads one to think that there is a strong link between the game and this decision to drop him from the squad, rather than for example, just relegate him to the bench and give a chance to another goalkeeper.
Therefore it seems that the scapegoat has been found in the form of Mario Muscat.
However Muscat cannot be singled out for the humiliating defeat against Sweden and take all the blame.
In most occasions, the Swedish strikers found themselves all alone in front of the goalkeeper as they took full advantage of the flat-back-four system adopted by the Maltese national coaches. Any other goalkeeper would not have done much better than Muscat did on the day.
- The Malta Amateur national team leaves Malta on Sunday to take part in the Central/West mini-tournament of the 4th UEFA Regions' Cup preliminary round which will be held in Slovenia. The Regions' Cup is a UEFA tournament dedicated entirely to amateur footballers.
Malta plays the first game against Northern Ireland on Monday 20 in Sezana, then faces hosts Primorska in Izola on Wednesday 22 and finally English side Mid Cheshire in Koper on Friday 24.
Coach JJ Aquilina and his assistant Charles Agius named an 18-man squad for this mini-tournament. Most of these players play in the lower divisions as no Premier League player may take part in the competition.
The players selected by Aquilina are:
goalkeepers Jonathan Debono (Birkirkara) and Kris Calleja (Mqabba);
defenders Robert Adami (Vittoriosa), Clive Formosa (Birzebbuga), Bruce Genovese (Zebbug), Tyrone Ghirxi (Senglea), Alex Tramboo (Gozo), Mark Anthony Psaila (Mqabba),
midfielders Marlon Briffa (Mqabba), John Camilleri (Gozo), Justin Camilleri (Vittoriosa), Etienne Farrugia (Dingli), Matthew Portelli (Gozo), George Saliba (Zebbug), Ivan Zammit (Mqabba) and
forwards Mano Micallef (Floriana), John Paul Muscat (Mqabba), Stephen Magri (Melita).
The squad includes no less than five players from Mqabba and three each from Gozo FC and Vittoriosa.
The Malta contingent with MFA Executive Member Ivan Calamatta as Head of Delegation leaves Malta on Sunday at 12:35 via Rome.
Fri 17
- Premier League Birkirkara vs Hibernians 2-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Siggiewi vs Kalkara 0-2
Thu 16
- Gozo - Independence Cup Victoria H. vs Zebbug R. 0-2
- Malta Under-17 coaches Joe Grech and Charles Scerri named a provisional squad ahead of the UEFA Under-17 Championship mini-tournament which will be held in Belarus between September 24 and 28. Malta was drawn in group 11 of the qualification round together with Portugal, San Marino and hosts Belarus.
Malta faces hosts Belarus on Friday at the Traktor Stadium in Minsk on Friday 24, Portugal at the Torpedo Stadium on Sunday 26 and San Marino at the Torpedo Stadium on Tuesday 28.
The players in the provisional squad are:
goalkeepers Henry Bonello (Sliema), Matthew Camilleri (Pietà), Mark Sciberras (Birkirkara);
defenders Steve Borg (Mosta), Lawrence Buhagiar (St. Patrick), Warren Chircop (Marsa), David Falzon (Sta. Venera), Tyron Farrugia (Msida), Lee Galea (Floriana), Duncan Pisani (Floriana), Julian Tonna (Mellieha);
midfielders Ben Camilleri (Hibernians), Brendon Domenici (St. Patrick), David Fenech (Mellieha), Dominic Mifsud (Pietà), John Mintoff (Sliema), Clayton Zammit (Hibernians), Dylan Zarb (Valletta) and
forwards Ryan Camilleri (Pietà), Fabian Debono (Sliema), Glanville Goodlip (Pietà), Chris Pace (Mosta), Carl Pulo (Hibernians) and Quelin Refalo (Hibernians).
The final list of eighteen players will be decided prior to the departure to Belarus on Wednesday.
Wed 15
- Gozo - Independence Cup Kercem A. vs St. Lawrence S. 4-2
- The Malta Amateur national team will be leaving Malta next Sunday to take part in the Central/West mini-tournament of the 4th UEFA Regions' Cup preliminary round which will be held in Slovenia. The Regions' Cup is a UEFA tournament dedicated entirely to amateur footballers.
Malta plays the first game against Northern Ireland on Monday 20 in Sezana, then faces hosts Primorska in Izola on Wednesday 22 and finally English side Mid Cheshire in Koper on Friday 24.
Coach JJ Aquilina and his assistant Charles Agius shortlisted 20 players. Most of these players play in the lower divisions as no Premier League player may take part in the competition. The squad includes no less than five players from Mqabba, four from Gozo FC and three from Vittoriosa.
The players selected by Aquilina are:
goalkeepers Jonathan Debono (Birkirkara) and Kris Calleja (Mqabba);
defenders Robert Adami (Vittoriosa), Clive Formosa (Birzebbuga), Bruce Genovese (Zebbug), Tyrone Ghirxi (Senglea), Alex Tramboo (Gozo), Mark Anthony Psaila (Mqabba),
midfielders Marlon Briffa (Mqabba), John Camilleri (Gozo), Justin Camilleri (Vittoriosa), Etienne Farrugia (Dingli), Matthew Portelli (Gozo), George Saliba (Zebbug), Ivan Zammit (Mqabba) and
forwards Keith Farrugia (Zebbug), Mano Micallef (Floriana), John Paul Muscat (Mqabba), Stephen Magri (Melita) and Anthony Portelli (Gozo).
The Malta contingent with MFA Executive Member Ivan Calamatta as Head of Delegation leaves Malta on Sunday at 12:35 via Rome.
Teams from 37 UEFA member associations set to compete in the qualifying stages of the competition, eight of whom will take part in the final tournament in 2005.
Most countries will be represented by an amateur team from somewhere within their borders. However in a few cases, smaller nations, as it the case for Malta, will be represented by a team which represents the best amateur players in the country.
Malta took part in the previous three editions of the UEFA Regions' Cup. In the first edition in June 1999, Malta was represented by a team from Gozo. The Gozitans lost 0-4 to Zapadne Srbije (YUG), 0-6 to Israel Amateur and 2-8 to Macedonia (GRE).
In the next two editions, an amateur national team represented Malta. In December 2000, Malta suffered a 0-1 defeat to Dalmatia (CRO) and a 0-5 defeat to Abruzzo (ITA). In October 2002, Malta lost 1-2 to North selection (HOL), 0-3 to Algarve (POR) and 0-4 to Northern Ireland.
- Three Premier League players were handed a one match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off.
Roderick Bajada of Msida St. Joseph will be missing the next game against Valletta after being sent off last Sunday's clash with Birkirkara.
Gordon Failla of St. Patrick and Anatole Debono of Pietà Hotspurs who were sent off in Tuesday's game will be missing the matches against Floriana and Marsaxlokk respectively.
Hibs coach Robert Gatt and official Stephen Abela were fined Lm 25 each following incidents which occurred at the end of the match against Marsaxlokk.
In Division 1, Steve Meilaq (Hamrun) and Jonathan Grech (Mosta) were suspended for one match while Matthew Axiaq (Ghaxaq), Stephen Orlando (Gudja) and Chris Borg (Ta' Xbiex) were banned for one match in the Second & Third Division Knock-Out.
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organizing another Coaching Young Footballers (CYF) Course at the Technical Centre on two days, 16th and 17th October, 2004.
Application forms are available from the Technical Centre at Ta' Qali during office hours (Tel. 21 411 505)
Closing date for applications will be on Monday, 11th October, 2004. A passport-size photo is also required.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
Tue 14
- Premier League Pietà H. vs St. Patrick 4-0, Floriana vs Lija A. 4-0
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Gzira U. vs Birzebbuga SP 2-0, Gharghur vs Attard 4-1
- Congolese goalkeeper Daniel Dengaky is free to join another club after winning an appeal on Monday.
Dengaky won the appeal on the basis of a rule which states that foreign players who were not paid their due salary for a period of two months have the right of a free release.
This decision means that the Spartans will have no right for compensation if he joins another club within the next 18 months.
Dengaky joined Hamrun in December 2000. He played regularly for the Spartans during the first 18 months but as from season 2002/03, he was considered as the club's second goalkeeper behind Ivan Casha. In fact, he made just ten matches that season. Last year, he played just 13 matches for Hamrun after a serious injury ruled him out for several weeks.
Two years ago, Cesar Paiber obtained the free-release from Hamrun on the basis of the same rule.
Mon 13
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Ghaxaq vs Gudja U. 1-1, Zebbug R. vs Kirkop U. 1-1
- Gozo - Independence Cup Victoria H. vs Xaghra U. 2-0
- The Malta Football Association will again be organsing the sixth edition of the National Futsal (Indoor Football) League and Cup competitions for Season 2004/2005 scheduled to commence towards the end of October, 2004.
Clubs, Institutions or persons wishing to participate are requested to write to the MFA General Secretary (280, St. Paul Street, Valletta) or contact Mr Mario Gauci, Secretary of the MFA Futsal (Indoor Football) Committee on telephone 21 222697 after 18:00hrs for further information. Contacts may also be made by e-mail on info@mfa.com.mt
The Closing Date for applications is Thursday, 30th September, 2004.
Sun 12
- Premier League Hibernians vs Marsaxlokk 3-3, Birkirkara vs Msida SJ 5-3
- First Division Balzan Y. vs St. George's 1-3, Hamrun S. vs Mosta 3-2
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Zurrieq vs Mellieha 1-1, Sta. Venera L. vs Ta' Xbiex 3-0, Mgarr U. vs Melita 0-4, St. Andrews vs Sta. Lucia 3-0
- Gozo - Independence Cup Qala SJ vs Xewkija T. 1-3, Ghajnsielem vs Nadur Y. 2-3
- As from this season, Luxol St. Andrews will be launching a School of Excellence programme, specialized for young players aged 9 to 12 who show excellent footballing skills. This was announced during a press conference which was held at the club's premises on Saturday.
The club's technical director - former national coach and MOC Director of Sports - Pippo Psaila said that with over 440 children aged 4 to 13, the Luxol St. Andrews Youth Developments Scheme ranks as one of the largest, if not the largest, on the island.
The scheme is structured so as to cater for multi skill youngsters and is devised to give a holistic development to all whilst providing specialist training at various ages depending on one's level of skill.
The programme is split in five major areas. The first one is the Early Touches programme for youngsters aged 4 to 8. St. Andrews are in fact the only club to offer a programme for four-year olds. A programme which is meant to give children the first impact with football and which is on the same line of thought with that of FIFA. The main emphasis of this programme is to make children love the game. The target is to encourage children to play football and enjoy themselves while developing their motor skills. No competitions or friendlies are held but only festivals.
There are then three parallel programmes for children aged 9 to 12. There is the Nursery programme which is targeted for all children, no matter what level of skills they have. It focuses more on the social aspect - something synonymous with Luxol. Children in the nursery are assessed and the best fifteen are chosen to form part of the Academy. The Academy provides more focussed and specialized training. Assessment is carried out every eight weeks giving the opportunity to children in the nursery to earn a place in the Academy. Training in the Academy is carried out three times a week as opposed to the two times a week in the nursery.
As from this year, a new programme called the School of Excellence has been set-up for the five children aged 9, 10, 11 and 12 years old, showing the highest level of skills where they follow an even more specialized training programme.
An other programme is for thirteen year olds which is the Pre-Competitive programme.
Psaila argued that the substance lies in the quality of coaching. For this reason, the club appoints only highly qualified coaches. The coaches include former national coach Gentcho Dobrev, former youth national coach Joe Bugeja, former national team captains Ronnie Cocks, Nicky Saliba and Norman Buttigieg, former national team players Alex Busuttil and Frans Mallia and Bobby Charlton Soccer School coach Scott Mc Cormack. Mario Borg is the Head Coach.
There are even stronger links with the Bobby Charlton Soccer School even with Mc Cormack being appointed as coach for the 5 year olds.
Over ten years, the number of children in the nursery increased from 45 to 440 and the only limit is the lack of more space. The average of coach-to-children ratio is around 1:12 as the target is to give more individual attention.
Club chairman Norman Darmanin Demajo said the club's target has always been that of finding a balance between investing on the first team or on the club's infrastructure. St. Andrews have always focussed on the latter because this is what gives "dividends". All the club's income is re-invested in infrastructure.
Over the past years, four artificial turf pitches have been complete as part of the first phase of a project. The club now a number of pending projects. The first is the erection of the first floor on the current club premises. Two 5-a-side indoor pitches will be built underneath two of the present pitches.
A bigger project is the building of a stand in the 11-a-side pitch. Although the application was filed in December, the club is yet to receive a reply from the MEPA.
As part of this project is the installation of an artificial turf pitch. Darmanin Demajo said the club's main target is "to have all children playing on turf." This should be ready in around nine months' time.
Sat 11
- Premier League Lija A. vs Pietà H. 0-4, Sliema W. vs Valletta 3-1
- First Division San Gwann vs Mqabba 1-1, Senglea A. vs Gozo 1-0
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Sirens vs Qormi 0-1, Dingli S. vs Luqa SA 2-1
- The new management of the MFA Swimming Pool Complex at the Millennium Stand, Ta' Qali, notifies that the first Winter Schedule for 2004-05 will be starting on the first Saturday of October and will extend over a 12-week period until the end of December this year.
There will be two sessions of 1 hour each between 09:30 and 11:30 every Saturday. These general classes will be open for beginners and other swimmers, with courses being under the tutorship of specialised personnel.
Similar 12-week courses will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 16:30 to 18:30, starting from the first week of October.
This winter programme covers more specialised courses such as those for non-beginners. These will deal with stroke techniques, diving and tumble turning. There will also be separate courses for Adults, Aquarobics and a Schools Programme.
The six-lane 25-metre covered pool underneath the Millennium Stand is heated, and thus also provides an ideal setting for individual or group members to spend some time in healthy relaxation outside session hours or in other lanes. However, the number of prospective applicants for membership is limited.
All sessions will be under the supervision of Alfred G. Cachia.
For further information, phone 21422676.
- In the last two seasons, Marsaxlokk FC under the helm of Mr Victor Sciriha established itself as one of the best teams in Malta. Now our aim is to put the nursery on the same level to be one of the best in the country.
For this reason, the nursery has engaged a number of qualified and experienced coaches together with the help of some of the players of the Premier team. David Carabott is the nursery's head coach. Now that Carabott has retired from the National team, he can dedicate more time to the nursery and at the same time continuing to play in the Premier. David Carabott, who is the most capped player for Malta and is also a qualified coach, can offer a lot to our children.
Mr John Borg is the nursery's administrator and scout. For a number of years he was in charge of the Floriana FC Nursery where he discovered a number of players, some of whom play in the national team. Mr Borg is also the coach of the Under 19 squad.
The team of coaches also includes Louis Cutajar and Albert Vella who are in charge of the Under 14 and Under 16 respectively. Both coaches were in charge of the senior team of the club in recent years when Mr Cutajar won the 2nd Division championship and Mr Vella the 1st Division championship. The Under 8, 10 and 12 will be coached by players from the Premier division team.
Therefore, the Marsaxlokk FC Nursery is inviting boys between the ages of 5 and 19 years from the south of Malta to join our nursery with the opportunity of being trained by experienced coaches and Premier division players and also with the opportunity to eventually play in the Premier Division with Marsaxlokk FC. For more information you can phone the secretary on 99820109, e-mail marsaxlokkfc@marsaxlokkfc.com or visit the official website www.marsaxlokkfc.com.
Fri 10
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Xghajra T. vs Rabat A. 0-4, Tarxien R. vs Siggiewi 1-0
- Marsaxlokk captain Richard Buhagiar was suspended for two matches by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off last Wednesday.
Buhagiar will therefore miss the game against Hibernians on Sunday and that against Pietà on Saturday 18.
Another Marsaxlokk defender, Carlo Mamo, will be missing the match against Hibernians after being suspended for one match for being sent off in the opening match against Birkirkara.
Precious Monye of Birkirkara and Matthew Camilleri of Floriana, who were also suspended for one match will be missing the matches against Msida St. Joseph and Lija Athletic respectively.
Another three players were suspended for one match after being sent off in matches from the Second & Third Division Knock-Out - Michael Ciappara (Ghaxaq), Jesmar Joe
Abela (Zejtun) and Liam Vidal (Ta' Xbiex).
- The Under-14 and Under-16 competitions organised by the Youth Football Association kick-off this weekend with the first 17 matches.
Just like last season there will be four sections in the Under 14 League - Section A, Section B, Section C1 and Section C2 and three in the Under 16 League - Section A, Section B and Section C.
As from this season, the Youth FA will be using another artificial turf pitch, the one at the National Hockey Complex in Corradino.
Thu 9
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Vittoriosa S. vs Kalkara 7-0, Gharghur vs Pembroke A. 1-1
- Gozo - Independence Cup Kercem A. vs SK Victoria W. 4-3
- Birkirkara FC international secretary John Borg was elected to the board of the European Club Forum during the elections for the eleven members which were held on Thursday in Nyon. Borg will be representing 26 clubs in the so-called Blue Group.
Running for the same post together with John Borg were the representatitves of three eastern European clubs - FC WIT Georgia, FK Vardar Skopje (Macedonia) and FK Zeljeznicar (Bosnia-Herzegovina).
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (FC Bayern München) was re-elected as Chairman with Peter Kenyon
(Chelsea FC) as First Vice-Chairman and Pedro Lopez Jimenez (Real Madrid CF) and
Umberto Gandini (AC Milan) as the two remaining Vice-Chairmen.
The remaining seven places on the eleven-man Board are as follows: Marino Faccioli
(Olympique Lyonnais), Arie van Eyden (AFC Ajax), Fernando Gomes (FC Porto), John
McClelland (Rangers FC), Damir Vrbanovic (NK Dinamo Zagreb), Niels-Christian Holmstrøm
(FC København) and John Borg (Birkirkara FC).
The four members of the European Club Forum recommended to sit on the UEFA Club
Competitions Committee 2004-06 are, Umberto Gandini, John McClelland, Damir Vrbanovic
and Ari Van Eyden.
Over the two-day meeting held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the European
Club Forum discussed and agreed to participate in the new format FIFA Club World
Championship starting in 2005, the clubs agreeing that the participation of the qualified
European club be on an invitational basis only and as long as the present six-club format is
maintained.
With regards to the local training of players the Forum agreed that training is a vital issue for
football and that generally clubs are already working hard in this area, although there is a
feeling that there is insufficient protection for clubs regarding their investment in youth
training, with regards to player transfers.
The majority of the Forum therefore agreed to a Working Group for further investigation into
the proposed measures to encourage local training of players and the use of homegrown
players in club first teams.
Finally, the Forum fully backed a proposal to allow the cancellation of all yellow cards at the
end of the qualifying matches for European club competitions, from the 2005-06 season
onwards, so that from the UEFA Champions League Group Stage and UEFA Cup First
Round all clubs were entering on a level playing field. The European Club Forum asked
UEFA administration to bring this proposal up to the UEFA Executive Committee via the
relevant bodies.
Meanwhile the European Club Forum has received praise from European football's governing body after its first two years in operation. UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson said that tangible results were already evident as a consequence of the dialogue and co-operation that had taken place since the forum was set up in the summer of 2002.
Achievements by the European Club Forum include the revamping of the UEFA Cup to include a 40-team group stage as from this season. The adoption of this new format followed consultations between UEFA and the clubs and the hope is it will give the competition a more attractive image alongside the UEFA Champions League.
Wed 8
- Premier League St. Patrick vs Hibernians 0-1, Marsaxlokk vs Birkirkara 1-1
- First Division Mqabba vs Balzan Y. 2-0, Marsa vs Hamrun S. 1-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Gudja U. vs St. Andrews 2-1, Kirkop U. vs Zejtun C. 2-0, Sta. Lucia vs Ghaxaq 1-0, Birzebbuga SP vs Fgura U. 0-1
- Gozo - Independence Cup Qala SJ vs Oratory Y. 4-0, Ghajnsielem vs Sannat L. 2-0
- Maltese officials will be controlling the 2006 FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Round Group 6 match between Austria and Azerbaijan.
Referee Lorry Sammut will be controlling the match. He will be assisted by Philip Agius and Ingmar Spiteri. The fourth official will be Joe Attard.
The match will be played at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on Wednesday.
Tue 7
- Premier League Msida SJ vs Sliema W. 1-2, Valletta vs Floriana 3-2
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Ta' Xbiex vs Dingli S. 0-5, Melita vs Zurrieq 1-1
- Five players were suspended by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner for one match. Christian Muscat and Josef Tonna (Rabat), Kristian Galea (Sirens), Gilbert Grech (Mgarr) and Antoine Galea (Siggiewi) will therefore miss the next game in the Second & Third Division Knock-Out.
- Eleven clubs will be taking part in the Reserves League which the Malta Football Association will be organising once again this season.
The clubs taking part are Attard, Floriana, Gharghur, Gzira United, Hamrun Spartans, Mellieha, Pietà Hotspurs, Sta. Lucia, Senglea Athletic, Sirens, Sliema Wanderers and Zejtun Corinthians.
The league will be played on a one-round basis with all matches being played at the Centenary Stadium on weekdays.
In the Youth League, there will be the addition of two new clubs, Luqa St. Andrew's and Mqabba. These will be playing in Section D which will therefore have 12 teams in all. The other three sections will have ten teams each.
The Youth League gets underway this weekend with the first matches from Sections B, C and D.
The Women's League kicks-off in October. Seven teams will be taking part as a new club - Sta. Venera Lightenings, will join Birkirkara, Hibernians, Melita, Mosta, Rabat Ajax and Raiders.
There will be some changes in the league format. Although the league will still be played on three rounds, points will be halved at the end of the second round in order to make the final phase more interesting. Teams will still be able to make five substitutions during the game.
Meanwhile a new competition for women will be the Women's Super Cup which will be played between the champions and the knock-out winners.
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising another Instructional Meeting on Monday, 13th September, 2004, at Ta' Qali for holders of all Club Coach Certificate, Foundation and Youth Development Diploma license coaches. This meeting will commence at 17:30.
- The Malta FA will be holding a course for 'Trainee' Referees consisting of eight sessions held between the period 6th and 26th November, 2004
Interested persons aged 16 to 35 years of age are to contact Mr Tom A. Restall, Head of Referees' Department, Malta FA, at 280, St. Paul Street, Valletta.
Phone 21232581 or e-mail tom.restall@mfa.com.mt for more information.
Mon 6
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Mellieha vs Mgarr U. 6-0, Sta. Venera L. vs Luqa SA 3-0
Sun 5
- UEFA Women's Championship Malta vs Bosnia Herzegovina 0-2
- First Division St. George's vs Naxxar L. 2-0, Mosta vs Senglea A. 3-3, Gozo vs San Gwann 0-1
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Siggiewi vs Vittoriosa S. 1-3, Kalkara vs Tarxien R. 0-4, Qormi vs Xghajra T. 5-1, Rabat A. vs Sirens 2-0
Sat 4
- World Cup Malta vs Sweden 0-7
- First Division side Mosta FC, who are celebrating the club's 70th anniversary this season, have just launched a new Youth Academy within the club's nursery.
This was announced by Mosta FC president Charles Abela during a press conference which was held at the Coastline Hotel on Thursday.
Abela said that the club's target has always been that of achieving the best possible placing in the league it is taking part in. Therefore this season, the target is the championship and hence promotion to the Premier Division. This season, Mosta have confirmed Paul Zammit as coach as the club believes in the potential of this young coach whose professionalism in the way he works was always evident. Zammit is also the Technical Director in the club's youth sector.
Iro Curmi has been appointed as coach of the Under-19 side and assistant coach with the senior squad.
Abela thanked the club's sponsors which once again are Attard Brothers, Mosta Auto Dealer and Nectar Ltd. He also thanked Mr Frans Debono whose firm Sports Experience is the club's kit sponsor through Legea sportswear.
The Mosta president argued that the time was ripe now for everyone to consider seriously the problems that local clubs and the game in general was facing. "It is important to work hard to remove the not-so-positive image that the local game carries in order to bring back supporters to the stadiums."
"From the recent elections for the presidency of the Malta Football Association, emerged the fact that about 40% of the clubs are not completely satisfied with the way things are being run. Therefore it is important for all stakeholders - the association, clubs, media and supporters - to put their ideas forward and work hard to improve the image of the game. Only in such way, we would see supporters back to the terraces and we would not have to rely completely on sponsors," said Abela.
The senior squad is made up of 22 players including four new players - young Sliema goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia, Ikechukwu Chibueze - a fine Nigerian striker who was a regular scorer for Mqabba in the past two years and naturalized Maltese defender Digger Okonkwo who joined the club from Pietà. Another new face is Philip Camilleri who returned with the club after three years.
The club is giving its due importance to the youth sector. The Mosta FC Youth Academy has been set-up under the chairmanship of Michael Attard while Joe Muscat is the General Administrator. The Mosta president thanked the former for being the main sponsor of the youth sector through Attard Bros and Muscat for his invaluable work for the service of the club.
Paul Zammit, who is the Technical Director, will be using the experience gained in the local game and that obtained from abroad in order to prepare a specific programme for the development of the young players both on and off the field of play.
The club has appointed former Malta international captain John Holland as the Head Coach of the Youth Academy as Mosta felt he had the right qualities to manage the academy.
For the third year running, Mosta FC has an agreement with Inter Campus - the youth programme of FC Inter. Inter Campus send to Malta some of their coaches from time to time and coaches from the Mosta nursery then go to Italy where they get the opportunity to lead training sessions along other foreign coaches.
Abela revealed that the club is working hard on the financing of a project meant to turn the pitch of the Mosta Ground into one with artificial turf.
He concluded "We are optimistic that with what we have done and what we have in mind, Mosta will be one of the most organised clubs on the island and although we are not one of the so-called big clubs, we will eventually enjoy success."
- Urban Jungle, through their leading brand Nike will be the new sponsors for First Division side Senglea Athletic.
The new kit was presented last Friday by Etienne Camenzuli for Time Ltd to Senglea Athletic president Frans Mizzi.
Senglea Athletic will be making their first appearance with their new kit on Sunday in the First Division League match against Mosta.
Fri 3
- UEFA Under-21 Malta vs Sweden 0-1
- Msida St. Joseph will be aiming at a place in the Championship Pool and hence a top-six finish as the Premier League gets underway in four days' time.
This was revealed by vice-president Dr Kevin Deguara who was speaking during a press conference which was held at 115 The Strand, Gzira.
Dr Deguara said that the club's first target was to have a technical staff able to get the best out of the players. For this reason, Mario Petrone was appointed as team manager.
An important decision that was taken was that all training sessions were to be held on turf pitches. In fact, so far, Msida have used the Training Grounds at Ta' Qali and the synthetic pitch at St. Aloysius. The club is currently negotiating with owners of other turf pitches as the club's target is to hold all their training sessions throughout the season on such pitches.
The team was strengthened with the signing of no less than ten players - Daniel Theuma, Trevor Thomas, Johann Zammit, Clint Micallef, Kevin Sammut, Roderick Bajada, goalkeeper Justin Spiteri and three Italian players. Micallef, Sammut and Spiteri are on loan for one year from Birkirkara, Sliema and San Gwann. The three Italian players are defender Patrick Giua, midfielder Massimiliano Giudo and offensive midfielder Manrico Porceddu.
Goalkeeper Omar Borg signed a four year contract while Josef Mifsud, who was on loan with the club last season, signed a four-year contract with the Saints after moving on a definite transfer.
Olumuyiwa Aganun will be loaned to Wacker Tirol in Austria in line with the club's policy of investing in young players, giving them the possibility to move to bigger clubs around Europe.
Dr Deguara concluded that Msida have a "competitive squad which should do well."
Financial Secretary Antoine Portelli said the club aimed at having a sound administration. The club wanted to find a strong business partner and secured a sponsorship by Volksbank Malta for the next three years. He thanked them for having faith in the club.
Portelli revealed that the club is close to reaching a sponsorship agreement with leading Internet Service Provider, Euroweb. He mention other firms who support the club such as Coleiro General Supplies, Panta Lesco and Busy Bee.
Volksbank Malta Managing Director Herbert Skok said the bank was proud to be linked with Msida as the two parties share the same goal: that of being among the elite in the respective sectors.
Meanwhile Msida complained about the fact that following the issue of the fixtures for the Premier League, they were the team with the least number of matches to be played at the National Stadium. They had to play just six matches at the National Stadium - even less than the newly-promoted St. Patrick and Lija Athletic. Following a slight change of fixtures, Msida will now play seven matches at Ta' Qali.
- The Swedish national 'A' team and Under 21 side arrived in Malta on Thursday afternoon on flight AY 7301 from Goteborg.
The players, especially those of the senior squad were greeted by local fans in search of the autograph or a photo with the players. Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson and new Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved to be the most popular.
The two teams had a first training session on Thursday evening with the Under 21 side training at 18:00, the time they will be playing on Friday, while the senior side trained at 20:00. The senior side will be conducting another training session behind closed doors on Friday at the Training Grounds and a warm-up session on Saturday morning.
All players in the senior squad will be at the disposal of coach Lars Lagerback as Eric Edman, Olof Mellberg and Fredrik Ljungberg are on the road to full recovery as they were suffering from slight injuries. In fact, Lagerback confirmed during a press conference on Friday afternoon that there are no formation problems for Saturday.
- Malta will be playing the last match from Group 5 of the UEFA Women's Championship against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Ta' Qali on Sunday, kick-off at 17:30.
Malta failed to claim any points in the previous seven matches. Their opponents on Sunday - Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the other hand, collected their only three points in a 1-0 win over Malta last year. A goal by Samira Hurem on 72 minutes.
Ironically Malta did better when playing away from home. In fact, Pierre Brincat's girls lost 0-3 to Romania, 0-1 to Bosnia, 0-3 to Croatia and 0-5 to Ireland away from home and then 9-0 to Ireland at Ta' Qali, 4-1 to Croatia at the Gozo Stadium and 8-0 to Romania at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The match officials will be from the FA of Hungary. The referee will be Katalin Kulcsar who will be assisted by Judit Kulcsar and Brigitta Makkosne Petz.
Thu 2
- Fgura Tournament Vittoriosa S. vs Sta. Venera L. 3-0
- Floriana FC unveiled a project consisting of the development of three five-a-side pitches, which could also be used as a one 8-a-side pitch, with artificial turf as part of a plan to turn the Xaghra Arena into a fully fledged sports arena. With Xaghra having all the potential to be a major attraction due to its central position and ample parking space, Floriana are planning other facilities in the area.
Acting president Tony Zahra was speaking during a press-conference which was held at the SAS Radisson Hotel, St. George's Bay on Thursday.
Zahra argued that for one to keep a football club alive, it needed to be sustainable. Floriana's major asset is the Xaghra which could be developed into a sports arena.
Floriana are hoping to develop parts of it into other sporting activities, for example, building squash and badminton courts and other sporting facilities underneath the present terraced areas.
The main pitch will also be turned into a third-generation synthetic pitch in the long term since the club finds it is not practival to have a natural turf pitch because of the weather conditions and the requirements of the club. The club is hoping to turn the Xaghra into something that all of Malta can be proud of.
The club will be spending Lm 55,000 on the pitch. Floriana are hoping to get support from the government, not through funding but but in terms of man-power, for example.
The project will start on the 1st October and will hopefully be ready in four or five months.
Meanwhile Floriana took the opportunity of presenting their new coach - Willie Vassallo - and their new signings - Graham Bencini and Ian Ciantar.
Two players who were on loan with the other clubs - Mario Caruana and Manolito Micallef, who played with Balzan and Lija respectively, are now back in the Floriana squad.
Vassallo, one of the all-time greats of Floriana FC, had moved to Australia where he was recently in charge of Green Gully. Now he has been appointed as head-coach of Floriana.
Vassallo thanked Floriana for the opportunity of inviting him back. He said that after working in Malta for a short spell about ten years ago, he is happy that the Greens lured him back to Malta.
He revealed he was not sure what he was to find in Malta but following a very good pre-season, he was pleasantly surprised with the enthusiasm shown by the players. Vassallo said he is now looking forward to the first league match - the derby against Valletta.
"I am not in a position to promise honours but I can assure that we will be very competitive, concluded Vassallo.
Floriana FC nursery chaiman Dr Hugh Peralta thanked his predecessors, the present comittee, volunteers and coaches for their hard work which make Floriana one of the top nurseries on the island.
"The Floriana nursery has produced some of the leading Floriana players and other leading players in other clubs and the national team. It is our duty together with the staff and parents to carry on with the tradition as we believe the future of the club depends on the nursery," concluded Dr Peralta.
This season, Floriana will be sponsored by Western Union Money Transfer, Fexco Financial Services (Malta) Ltd, TeamSport and Carlsberg. Zahra thanked the sponsors for their support.
- A prototype Mini-Pitch with artificial turf was inaugurated on Thursday at Ta' Qali by Minister for Education, Youth and Employment Dr Louis Galea.
MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and a representative of the UEFA Hat-Trick Assistance Programme Mohammed Tah unveiled a commemorative plaque consisting of the logo of the UEFA Golden Jubilee.
This mini-pitch is being funded by UEFA as part of its celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary since its foundation. In fact, the Malta Football Association, together with each of the other 51 members of UEFA, received the sum of €647,000 (Lm 258,800) as the European body had launched a scheme to help associations construct mini-pitches with artificial turf.
A project which was meant to provide children the opportunity to play football at any time and which also marks the 50th anniversary of UEFA. The mini-pitch project aims at providing playing areas for children while bringing local communities closer as a result of football's unifying force.
According to the plans, the mini-pitches should be compact and serve the purposes of grassroots football. Pitches should be from 300-450 square metres, equipped with two football goals integrated in a three metre-high sports wall, and surrounded by one-metre high perimeter rebound fences.
The ground is artificial turf with sand. Rebounds should be made easier by cutting off the corners, and constructing a rebound fence with no opening spaces. The sportswall and perimeter rebound fence can be considered as game partners, which means that the type of football played on the proposed mini-pitches is more fluid and rapid.
UEFA contributes towards the mini-pitches, transport and installation in a mixed-funding operation. Public and private institutions are being asked to provide the land, prepare the ground, furnish floodlight systems and take over maintenance.
Similar pitches to the one installed at Ta' Qali will eventually be built in different localities with the partcipation of clubs, local councils and/or schools.
Also present for the inauguration ceremony were the general secretary of the Swedish FA Sune Hellströmer and two other officials from the Swedish FA. After speeches by Dr Mifsud, Mr Tah and Dr Galea, MFA chaplain Fr Anton Dalli blessed the pitch.
Short matches between children from the Dingli Swallows, Lija-Iklin, Mosta and Rabat Depiro nurseries brought the ceremony to an end.
- Third Division side Birzebbuga St Peter's announced the signing of a number of new player as they aim to strengthen the squad for the coming season.
After missing out on promotion, despite reaching the play-offs, the Saints are hoping to improve their placing.
Among the new players are goalkeeper Etienne Mercieca, midfielders Oscar Magri, Marco Sultana, Jason Tabone and Jean-Paul Desira together with former Valletta striker Antoine Sacco.
Darren Prendergast and Franco Francalanza, who were on loan with the club last season, have been confirmed while Dennis Baldacchino, will be back after being on loan with Tarxien last season.
Wed 1
- A number of players were registered by Premier League clubs during the last day of transfers as the transfer market closed on Tuesday at 19:00.
After losing Cesar Paiber to Marsaxlokk, Hibernians secured the services of Guinean defender/midfielder Dybrill Sylla from Sliema Wanderers. The naturalised Maltese player had earlier played with Hamrun Spartans, Gozo FC and Msida St. Joseph. Hibernians also managed to sign Maltese-Australian goalkeeper Michael Xuereb.
Msida St. Joseph signed five new players. Besides Josef Mifsud, who was already on loan with the club last season, Msida secured the services of Senglea Athletic striker Trevor Thomas and three Italian players - Manrico Porceddu, Patrick Giua and Massimiliano Giudo.
St. Patrick signed a third foreigner - Chima Dozie. The Nigerian striker has been playing for Naxxar Lions in Division 1 in the past seasons. He had also played for short spells in the Premier League with both Sliema and Naxxar.
Another new foreigner is Nemanja Vukasinovic who joined Valletta. The striker from Montenegro is therefore the third foreigner for Valletta besides Penchev and Marx.
Finally Matthew Agius joined Lija Athletic from Mosta.
A transfer-window will open once again in January 3 and clubs will have up to the end of the month to sign new players.
- Mosta U-19 Challenge Valletta vs Floriana 1-0
- National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil named the final 18-man squad for next Saturday's 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sweden at Ta' Qali, kick-off at 20:45.
Birkirkara forward Michael Galea is back in the national team after making his last appearance almost a year ago in the 2-2 draw with Israel.
There is only one uncapped player in the squad - Msida St. Joseph midfielder Kevin Sammut. Sammut was included in the squad after missing a pre-season training camp with the national squad in Switzerland and the friendly match against the Faroe Islands in Toftir a fortnight ago. On the other hand, Antoine Zahra II, Claude Mattocks, Etienne Barbara and the Adrian Pulis were dropped from the squad.
There was also no place in the squad for Justin Haber, Daniel Theuma, William Camenzuli, Trevor Templeman and Noel Turner, who all formed part of the provisional squad. Theuma and Sliema Wanderers defender Jeffrey Chetcuti are currently injured.
The squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà), Mario Muscat (Hibs);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Ian Ciantar (Floriana), Luke Dimech (Mansfield - England), Brian Said (Sliema), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Stefan Giglio (Sliema), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Kevin Sammut (Msida), Antoine Zahra I (Birkirkara) and
forwards Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Michael Galea (Birkirkara), Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom - Norway), Ivan Woods (Pietà).
This will be the eighth clash between the two countries with Sweden winning the eight of them, the last time being a 3-0 win at Ta' Qali, goals by Karl Corneliusson, Henrik Larsson and Hakan Mild. Larsson is part of the Swedish squad which will be travelling to Malta on Thursday.
Referee Haim Jakov from the FA of Israel will be controlling the match between Malta and Sweden. He will be assisted by assistant referees Shabtal Nahmias and Shmuel Steif while the fourth official is Alon Yefet. The FIFA Commissioner is Miguel Galan Torres from Spain and the Referee Inspector is Sabri Celik from Turkey.
- Despite losing to the Faroe Islands in a friendly match two weeks ago, Malta climbed one place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as published on Wednesday.
Malta is currently 130th, seven places ahead of the Faroe Islands but eleven places behind Armenia.
Among the other European countries, Malta retains the 46th place. The Northern Ireland is 41st (109, up 1) followed by Georgia (112, down 3), Azerbaijan (116, up 2), Lithuania (118, down 2) and Armenia (119, down 3). Behind Malta are the Faroe Islands (137), Kazakhstan (145, down 1), Andorra (148, up 1), Liechtenstein (152, up 2), Luxembourg (157), San Marino (169, down 2).
Malta plays the first in the series of the ten World Cup qualifiers on Saturday, hosting Sweden at Ta' Qali. Malta then hosts Iceland on Saturday 9 October and four days later travels plays against Bulgaria in Sofia. The final international match for 2004 is another match at Ta' Qali against Hungary on November 17.
Meanwhile there were no changes in the top ten as Brazil continue to lead the way, some distance ahead of France, Spain, Argentina and the Czech Republic. The Netherlands, England, Mexico, Italy and the USA follow.
- The players in the Swedish squad continued their preparation ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Croatia on Wednesday afternoon at the Ullevi Stadium in Goteborg.
Olof Mellberg, Fredrik Ljungberg and Erik Edman were rested although team doctor Anders Valentin confirmed that the players will be fit to play on Saturday.
Although Sweden registerd seven wins in the seven matches played so far against Malta, they are not taking Saturday's game for granted.
"We ourselves have only played U-21 games in Malta (in 2001) but then it was a narrow win so we consider ourselves warned," Kim Källström and Andreas Isaksson told journalists after Wednesday's training session.
Henrik Larsson, scorer of one of the three goals with which Sweden beat Malta in a friendly match at Ta' Qali in February 2001 said, "All teams today are so well organized and are technically skilled that anyone can meet trouble if you are not fully concentrated and you give all your best."
On Thursday, the squad will fly to Malta where they are expected to arrive on flight AY301 from Goteborg at 14:35. A training session is in programme on Thursday at 20:00 at the National Stadium. Another two training session will be held on Friday and Saturday morning at the Training Grounds.