October 2004
Sun 31
- Premier League Marsaxlokk vs Lija A. 5-1, Birkirkara vs St. Patrick 7-2
- Second Division Mellieha vs Attard 0-4. Vittoriosa S. vs St. Andrews 3-0
- Women's League Hibernians vs Sta. Venera L. 17-0, Birkirkara vs Melita 3-0
- Gozo - First Division Xaghra U. vs Nadur Y. 2-1, Xewkija T. vs Zebbug R. 1-2
Sat 30
- First Division San Gwann vs Senglea A. 1-2, Mqabba vs Naxxar L. 2-1
- Gozo - Second Division Knock-Out SK Victoria W. vs Gharb R. 5-4, Sannat L. vs St. Lawrence S. 2-0
Fri 29
- Third Division Luqa SA vs Gudja U. 0-1, Zurrieq vs Kalkara 2-0
- Former national team captain David Carabott and former national team striker Daniel Bogdanovic joined GFA First Division leaders Ghajnsielem on loan from Marsaxlokk till the end of the season.
This transfer comes as a surprise considering that both Bogdanovic and Carabott were considered to be key players in the Marsaxlokk squad.
Daniel Bogdanovic had joined Marsaxlokk in last January. He was immediately a hit with the Southseasiders as he scored 12 goals in fourteen league matches.
The Yugoslav-born striker, who played for Sliema Wanderers, Naxxar Lions and Valletta in Malta, Esperance in Tunisia, Vasas in Hungary and Cherno More in Bulgaria, had already played for a short spell with Ghajnsielem in season 1998/99.
David Carabott had joined Marsaxlokk in the beginning of last season where he was soon appointed as team captain. However this season, he lost the captain's arm-band with Ivan Zammit and Richard Buhagiar being preferred to the only player in the squad hailing from Marsaxlokk.
- In a statement, signed by vice-president Dr Kevin Deguara, Msida St. Joseph replied to the report regarding the case of Daniel Nwoke who was not found guilty of "gross unsporting behaviour" in an incident which took place in the October 16 match against Pietà Hotspurs.
The statement says "Msida St. Joseph F.C. would like to comment that the author of the
above-mentioned report has decided to take his opinion as a fact. It is
the club's opinion that this is quite unethical because it is automatically
discrediting other opinions and declaring his own opinion as a matter of
fact.
Msida St. Joseph would also like to point out that the Board of Control and Discipline, after having reviewed video evidence of the incident was not reasonably satisfied that the player touched the ball with his hand."
Thu 28
- Msida St. Joseph striker Daniel Nwoke will not be sanctioned as he was not found guilty of "gross unsporting behaviour" when he extended his arm to hit the ball and score in the October 16 match against Pietà Hotspurs.
Nwoke's goal brought harsh protests by Pietà Hotspurs and criticism from various sectors as the incident went unnoticed by referee Kevin Azzopardi and assistant referee Joe Camilleri. Azzopardi awarded the goal to Daniel Theuma. It seems that Azzopardi was mislead to think that Daniel Theuma's cross had ended in goal without any deflection.
The MFA Executive Committee referred the case to the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner.
However after viewing video evidence, he did not find Nwoke guilty during Thursday's hearing.
Wed 27
- Premier League Floriana vs Hibernians 1-1, Valletta vs Marsaxlokk 3-1
- Four Premier League players were suspended for one match by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner.
Pietà Hotspurs defender David Camenzuli who was sent off in their 2-3 defeat to Valletta. He will now miss Pietà's next game against Floriana on November 21.
Giles Lanzon of Lija Athletic collected his fourth yellow card and will now miss the game against Marsaxlokk on October 31. On the other hand, Msida captain Charles Sciberras, who also collected his fourth yellow card, will miss the game against St. Patrick on November 21.
On Wednesday, another Lija player - goalkeeper Simon Agius was handed a one-match ban as well and will miss the game against Marsaxlokk.
Other players to be suspended were Kevin Cassar (Attard), Kevin Fenech (Qormi), Joseph Caruana (Rabat A.), Joseph Chetcuti (Sta. Venera L.) and Karl Vella Petroni (Gharghur).
Three youth players - Frankie Barbara and Matthew Vella (Senglea) and Luke Portelli (Tarxien) were suspended for one match while Saviour Paul Agius (Zebbug) was suspended for six months.
Tue 26
- The MFA Protests Board upheld three protests which were filed against the results of three matches from the Reserves League.
Pietà Hotspurs were awarded a 2-0 win over Mellieha after that the two teams had tied 0-0. Another goalless draw between Sta. Lucia and Senglea Athletic also ended in a 2-0 win for Senglea. These two matches were played on October 6.
A 1-0 for Floriana over Mellieha in a match played on October 21 was also awarded as a 2-0 win for Mellieha.
Ten teams are taking part in the Reserves League.
Mon 25
- Second Division Zebbug R. vs Tarxien R. 0-1, Rabat A. vs Dingli S. 0-1
Sun 24
- Premier League Hibernians vs Lija A. 2-1, Pietà H. vs Valletta 2-3
- First Division St. George's vs Mosta 0-0, Marsa vs Gozo 5-1
- Third Division Pembroke A. vs Ghaxaq 2-1, Xghajra T. vs Siggiewi 2-2
- Women's League Melita vs Rabat A. 5-1, Raiders vs Mosta 0-5
- Gozo - First Division Kercem A. vs Ghajnsielem 1-1
- Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs Gharb R. 1-1
Sat 23
- Premier League Msida SJ vs Marsaxlokk 1-2, Floriana vs Sliema W. 0-2
- Second Division Attard vs Sta. Venera L. 3-0, Qormi vs Gzira U. 3-2
Fri 22
- Third Division Zejtun C. vs Gharghur 0-2, Fgura U. vs Sta. Lucia 2-2
- Malta earned a point in a 1-1 draw with Georgia in the final match from the UEFA Under-19 mini-tournament which was held in Slovakia.
Following a balanced first half, Malta held the upper hand on the resumption of play and forged ahead thanks to Andre Schembri on 51 minutes. Malta could have doubled the score on various occasions, also hitting the posts. However a late goal killed off Malta's aspirations in registering a victory in the mini-tournament.
Wed 20
- Malta's Under-19 side suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to Slovakia in the second match from the UEFA Under-19 Group 5 mini-tournament.
Goals by Viskup and Jendrisek gave the hosts a two-goal lead during the first half but Kenneth Spiteri reduced the gap after the break.
In the first match, Malta lost 0-1 to Lithuania.
The final match against Georgia will be played on Friday.
- Three Premier League players were suspended for one match by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off during the clash between Pietà Hotspurs and Msida St. Joseph last Saturday.
Msida goalkeeper Omar Borg who was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards will therefore miss next Saturday's match with Marsaxlokk while Pierre Aquilina and Anatole Debono will be unavailable for the Hotspurs as they take on Valletta on Sunday.
Alan Spiteri (Gzira), Anthony Briffa (Melita) and Josef Tonna (Rabat) were suspended for one match in Division 2 while Vittoriosa Starts kit-manager Manwel Ancilleri was fined Lm 15.
Another player who received a one match ban was Youth player Alessandro Pirrone of Sta. Venera.
Mon 18
- Malta's Under-19 side suffered a 0-1 defeat to Lithuania in a match from the UEFA Under-19 Group 5 mini-tournament. Andrius Bartkus scored the only goal on 58 minutes.
Malta will now face hosts Slovakia on Wednesday 20 and then Georgia on Friday 22.
Sun 17
- Premier League Lija A. vs St. Patrick 1-0, Sliema W. vs Birkirkara 0-0
- First Division San Gwann vs St. George's 0-0, Marsa vs Mosta 3-1, Mqabba vs Senglea A. 3-0, Naxxar L. vs Gozo 3-0
- Second Division Melita vs St. Andrews 1-0, Mellieha vs Vittoriosa S. 2-1
- Third Division Ta' Xbiex vs Kirkop United 0-0, Mgarr U. vs Birzebbuga SP 1-3
- Gozo - First Division Kercem A. vs Zebbug R. 3-0, Victoria H. vs Xewkija T. 1-3
Sat 16
- Premier League Pietà H. vs Msida SJ 2-2
- Second Division Gzira U. vs Rabat A. 1-1, Dingli S. vs Zebbug R. 1-1
- Gozo - Second Division Sannat L. vs Gharb R. 4-1, SK Victoria W. vs Oratory Y. 4-3
- Malta Under-19 coaches Edwin Camilleri and Mark Miller named an 18-man squad ahead of the UEFA Under-19 mini-tournament which will be played in Slovakia next week.
Malta will be facing Lithuania on Monday 18, hosts Slovakia on Wednesday 20 and Georgia on Friday 22.
The players selected by Camilleri and Miller are:
goalkeepers Kyle Micallef (Melita) and Miguel Montfort (Valletta);
defenders Edmond Agius (Hibs), Steven Bezzina and Brandon Bonnici (Valletta), Jonathan Caruana (Hibernians), Andrew Spiteri (Pietà), Kenneth Spiteri (Hibernians);
midfielders Andrei Agius (Sporting Mascalucia), Matthew Bartolo (Hibernians), Ryan Deguara (Mosta), Clayton Failla (St. Patrick), Dyson Falzon (Mosta), Paul Fenech (Naxxar), Kurt Magro (Valletta) and
forwards Edward Herrera (Melita), Andre Schembri (Hibernians) and Ian Zammit (Valletta).
The Maltese contingent leaves Malta on Saturday, 16th October, 2004 on Flight KM 512 to Vienna.
Fri 15
- Third Division Kalkara vs Luqa SA 0-3, Sirens vs Zurrieq 0-2
- Floriana, winners of the FA Trophy eighteen times, were drawn to face First Division side St. George's in the first round of the competition.
Taking part in the draw, which was held at the MFA Headquarters, Valletta on Friday, were six clubs from the Premier League and nine from Division 1. The only club not taking part in the competition are Gozo FC.
Valletta will be facing Balzan Youths, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. The other team to be relegated last year, Hamrun Spartans, were lucky enough to reach the second round of the competition after being awarded a bye.
Pietà Hotspurs take on Marsa while Mosta face Msida St. Joseph. San Gwann will be facing Lija Athletic while Senglea Athletic were drawn with St. Patrick.
The only clash between two First Division sides puts against each other Naxxar Lions and Mqabba.
The seven first round matches will be played on November 6, 7 and 13 at the Centenary Stadium.
Holders Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara, Marsaxlokk and Hibernians join the other teams in the quarter-finals.
- The Malta Football Association through its Referees Board will, as from this weekend's Premier League matches, be introducing the "Question and Answer Form" which will be available to journalists who need clarification on certain specific decisions taken by the Referee, his assistants or the fourth officials.
Naturally this form is meant as a limited means of communication between the referee and journalists. It will be done through the MFA Media Officer.
Specific questions such as why a player was sent off, what offence has been committed by a player who has been shown a yellow card and similar incidents can be asked. The referee has been given the right to refuse to answer any question on the form. Journalists must report what the referee said faithfully even if they disagree with the reply.
A meeting for journalists was held on Thursday, 14th October, 2004 at the Technical Centre at Ta' Qali where this Form was explained by the Chairman of the Media Sub-Committee of the Referees Board, Richard Stagno Navarra.
The meeting was also addressed by the Head of the Referees Department, Tom A. Restall who dealt at length with the instructions given to referees on certain aspects of the Laws of the Game while Patrick Fenech, Chairman of the Training Schooling and Coaching Sub-Committee dwelt on particular offside situations especially from the Assistant Referees' perspective, using a UEFA-prepared video clip.
Thu 14
- Sta. Venera Lightenings striker Stephen Said was handed a hefty four-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off during the weekend.
Massimo Borg of Third Division side Siggiewi was suspended for three matches.
On the other hand, Mark Tabone (Qormi), Lawrence Mizzi (Vittoriosa) and Damian D' Amato (Xghajra) were suspended for one match.
Other players to be suspended were Youth players Darren Bugeja (Senglea) and Davide Mula (Zurrieq) who were banned for two matches and one match respectively.
Wed 13
- World Cup Bulgaria vs Malta 4-1
Tue 12
- UEFA Under-21 Bulgaria vs Malta 2-1
- National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil are expected to adopt the same defensive approach which enabled Malta to claim a point last Saturday as the Maltese face Bulgaria at Vassil Levski Stadium in Sofia on Wednesday, kick-off at 17:00 CEST.
On Saturday, Malta won its first point in Group 8 of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying round against Iceland at Ta' Qali.
Heese and Busuttil were forced to make one change from the squad with Floriana's Stephen Wellman replacing the injured Michael Galea.
But the two coaches are not expected to make any changes in the starting line-up. Justin Haber will therefore guard the posts with four defenders in front of him - Ian Ciantar, Brian Said, Luke Dimech and Ian Azzopardi. Extra help for the rear-guard is provided on the flanks by Roderick Briffa on one side and Claude Mattocks on the other.
There will be three players in midfield - Gilbert Agius, Stefan Giglio and Ivan Woods, with Michael Mifsud as the only striker.
For Giglio, this match means a lot as he played for two-and-a-half years in Bulgaria. He had joined CSKA Sofia in January 2001 and then moved to Lokomotiv Sofia on loan in summer 2002 before returning to Malta the following season.
Like Malta, Bulgaria played two matches so far - both away from home. Following a 3-1 win over Iceland in Reykjavik, Bulgaria made a good comeback to earn a 2-2 draw with Croatia last Saturday thanks to goals by Martin Petrov and Dimitar Berbatov.
Bulgarian coach Hristo Stoichkov dropped Charlton defender Radostin Kishishev as he suffered a slight injury.
Stoichkov is not taking Malta for granted and admitted he would not be surprised is the Maltese defended all out. "This will be our hardest qualifier this year. I want my lads to be concentrate and show them from the very first minute that they do not have any chance. It won't be anything new for us if they come out with seven or eight defenders and a single forward."
Malta and Bulgaria faced each other six times - two of which in the qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup. Bulgaria had won 3-0 at the George Asparuchov Stadium in October 2000 and 2-0 at Ta' Qali in September 2001.
- The Women's League kicks-off on October 24 with the matches Melita vs Rabat Ajax and Raiders vs Mosta.
The following Sunday, champions Hibernians take on new team Sta. Venera Lightenings while Birkirkara face Melita.
Seven teams are taking part in this year's league.
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.
Hibernians, champions for the last six years, won the double last season.
Mon 11
- Second Division St. Andrews vs Qormi 0-0, Tarxien R. vs Attard 1-1
- Following an excellent 1-0 win over Iceland last Friday, the Malta Under-21 side will be in action once again on Tuesday as they face Bulgaria at the Balgarska Armia Stadium in Sofia, kick-off at 15:00 CEST.
Malta did quite well so far having lost by just one goal to nil in the first game against Sweden last month. Bulgaria, on the other hand, suffered two defeates, losing 3-1 to Iceland in Reykjavik and 1-0 to Croatia in Zagreb.
In travelling to Bulgaria, Under-21 coach Mark Miller retained the same eighteen players:
goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana), Andrew Hogg (Pietà);
defenders Josef Mifsud (Msida), Ryan Mintoff (Hibernians), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Carl Sammut (Pietà), Shaun Tellus (Sliema), Kurt Zammit (Valletta);
midfielders Andre Agius (Sporting Mascalucia - Italy), Roderick Bajada (Msida), Shaun Bajada (Floriana), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Ian Zammit (Valletta);
forwards Nicoḷ Baldacchino (Floriana), Andre Schembri (Hibernians) and Terence Scerri (Hibernians).
Having no injured players, Miller is expected to confirm the same eleven players that started the game against Iceland and hence should field Reuben Gauci, Alex Muscat, Shaun Bajada, Roderick Bajada, Ryan Mintoff, Shaun Tellus, Trevor Cilia, Christian Cassar, Terence Scerri, Cleaven Frendo, Andre Schembri.
- National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil were forced to make one change in the 18-man squad which left for Bulgaria on Monday as Floriana's Stephen Wellman replaced the injured Michael Galea.
The squad is therefore made up of:
goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà) and Justin Haber (Birkirkara);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Ian Ciantar (Floriana), Luke Dimech (Mansfield), Adrian Pulis (Hibernians), Brian Said (Sliema), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Stefan Giglio (Sliema), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Claude Mattocks (Sliema), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Ivan Woods (Pietà), Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara) and
forwards Andrew Cohen (Hibernians) and Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom).
The match will be played on Wednesday at the Vassil Levski Stadium in Sofia, kick-off at 17:00 CEST. The match officials are from the FA of Wales.
On the other hand, Under-21 coach Mark Miller retained the same eighteen players:
goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana), Andrew Hogg (Pietà);
defenders Josef Mifsud (Msida), Ryan Mintoff (Hibernians), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Carl Sammut (Pietà), Shaun Tellus (Sliema), Kurt Zammit (Valletta);
midfielders Andre Agius (Sliema), Roderick Bajada (Msida), Shaun Bajada (Floriana), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Ian Zammit (Valletta);
forwards Nicoḷ Baldacchino (Floriana), Andre Schembri (Hibernians) and Terence Scerri (Hibernians).
The match will be played on Tuesday at the Balgarska Armia Stadium in Sofia, kick-off at 15:00 CEST.
Sun 10
- Second Division Vittoriosa S. vs Melita 0-1, Sta. Venera L. vs Mellieha 1-4
- Third Division Ghaxaq vs Siggiewi 1-1, Gudja U. vs Xghajra T. 4-0
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Victoria H. 2-2, Ghajnsielem vs Xaghra U. 2-0
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organsing another Youth Development Diploma (YDD) Course at the Technical Complex at Ta' Qali from the 6th to the 14th November, 2004, both days included.
Applications are now available from the MFA Technical Centre, Ta' Qali, during office hours. Phone 21411505 for more information.
Closing date for applications will be Monday, 1st November, 2004. A passport size photo and a CYF certificate are also required. Applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
Sat 9
- FIFA World Cup Malta vs Iceland 0-0
- Gozo - First Division Kercem A. vs Xewkija T. 1-2
- Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs Qala SJ 2-1
Fri 8
- UEFA Under-21 Malta vs Iceland 1-0
A goal by Cleaven Frendo in stoppage time gave Malta's Under-21 side a 1-0 win over Iceland in a match from the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign.
The local side never seemed inferior to the visitors. The two teams in fact shared the exchanges throughout the game. After a fine start for Iceland with goalkeeper Reuben Gauci doing an excellent job guarding the posts, Malta had its fair share of scoring opportunities thanks to Terence Scerri, Cleaven Frendo and Trevor Cilia.
Malta had an excellent opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty for a hands inside the area by Solvi Geir Jonsson ten minutes in the second half. However Roderick Bajada's penalty-kick was turned by Halldorsson into a corner.
But three minutes in stoppage time, Cleaven Frendo concluded a great solo effort with a brilliant shot from outside the area which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
- Birkirkara goalkeeper Justin Haber will be making his debut on Saturday as Malta hosts Iceland in a match from Group 8 of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Haber is in fact set to take the No. 1 shirt which Mario Muscat had worn for the past four years.
Haber was the favourite as the other goalkeeper in the squad, Saviour Darmanin, missed the last two matches for Pietà as Andrew Hogg was given a starting berth.
Following a most embarrassing 0-7 defeat to Sweden last month, Malta is keen to bounce back. However although Iceland are coming from two defeats, the task is a most difficult one considering that the morale of our players is very low.
Malta's record against Iceland is definitely not a positive one. In ten matches, Iceland won eight and Malta two. One of the wins for Malta was obtained in the neutral venue of Messina back in 1982 when Malta won 2-1 in a European Championship qualifier. The
other victory, a 1-0 win, arrived in the 1992 Rothmans International Tournament.
The two teams had also met in the last World Cup campaign. Iceland had registered a 4-1 win at Ta' Qali and a 3-0 win in Reykjavik.
Experienced defender Jeffrey Chetcuti is missing from the 20-man squad named by Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil. The Sliema defender could not train regularly with the national team due to work commitments and was therefore dropped from the squad. Msida midfielder Kevin Sammut is ruled out for similar reasons.
National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil are expected to adopt a very cautious approach as the main target is that of obtaining a positive result which cancels out the Swedish nightmare.
Heese is expected to start with Ian Ciantar, Brian Said, Luke Dimech and Ian Azzopardi at the back and Briffa and Mattocks on the flanks. The only striker will be Michael Mifsud.
The starting line-up should therefore be made up of: Justin Haber, Roderick Briffa, Ian Ciantar, Brian Said, Luke Dimech, Ian Azzopardi, Claude Mattocks, Stefan Giglio, Gilbert Agius, Ivan Woods, Michael Mifsud.
The other players in the squad are Saviour Darmanin, Adrian Pulis, Stephen Wellman, George Mallia, Peter Pullicino, Antoine Zahra, Etienne Barbara, Andrew Cohen and Michael Galea.
- A number of changes in the fixtures of Premier League matches were announced during the meeting of the Council of the Malta Football Association on Thursday.
The match Pietà Hotspurs vs Msida St. Joseph which last month has been anticipated to Saturday 16 October will be played at 16:00.
The matches between Floriana and Hibernians, Valletta and Marsaxlokk were both postponed to Wednesday 27 October at 18:00 and 20:00 respectively at the Centenary Stadium.
The two Youth League Section A matches scheduled to be played on the same day - Balzan Youths vs Valletta and Birkirkara vs Hibernians - were therefore postponed.
The First Division League match Gozo vs Naxxar Lions due to be played at the Gozo Stadium on October 17 has been transferred to the Hibernians Ground at 15:00. The match at the Gozo Stadium will be be played on March 20.
The Premier League matches due to be played on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 January were switched. Sliema Wanderers vs Hibernians and Valletta vs Birkirkara will therefore be played on Sunday 30 at the National Stadium while Marsaxlokk vs St. Patrick and Msida St. Joseph vs Floriana will be played on Saturday 29 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
- Fifty-six teams will be taking part in the Futsal League 2004/2005. There is therefore an increase of 14 teams from last year.
Fourteen teams will be taking part in the First Division with seven teams playing in Section A and another seven in Section B. The top two teams in each section will be playing in the semi-finals of the Championship Deciders. The last team in each section will be relegated.
Another fourteen teams will be playing in the Second Division, also divided in sections A and B. The section winners are promoted to the First Division while the teams placing last in the two sections are relegated.
Finally twenty-eight teams will be playing in the Third Division. There will be four sections with the winners of each section winning promotion.
Futsal League matches will be played at the Corradino Pavilion and the 5-a-side pitches in Zabbar, Gudja and Zebbug.
The teams taking part are: Air Malta Cabin Crew, AJR Dolceria Italiana, Amazon, El Mundos, Head Hunters, Hibernians, King of Shaves, LIverpool Supporters Club, Serbia, St. Helen Band Club, Swing Kids, Vindaloo.
AC Trampi, Debson, Deportivo Santa Cruz, Dreamers, Jeepers, Juvenis Aluserv, Konica Gunners, Scandals Bar, Seven, Zurrieq FC, Zurrieq Old Boys.
AD Handyman, Big Blue, Blurred Minds, Central Bank of Malta, Deportivo Estudiantes, Energizer Boys, Infomate, Kerygma, KMPHS, Korol, Lazio Supporters Club, Micab, Southenders, Union Print, Warriors.
Babilonia, Cool Boys, Datastream, ECB FC, FTW, Fugazi 5, Net Stars, Olympia 5, Paramatta, Pumas, Santos, Southsiders, Thomas Cook, Unistars, Vittoriosa Stars, Webcraft, Wild Guys, Wolves.
Thu 7
- Gozo - Second Division SK Victoria W. vs Gharb R. 5-0
- Following a 0-1 defeat in the first outing against Sweden, the Malta Under-21 side hosts Iceland on Friday in the second match from Group 8 of the UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifying Round, kick-off at 18:00.
On Wednesday, Miller reduced the players in the squad to twenty following the exclusion of eight players and the addition of another two.
Goalkeeper Kris Calleja, defenders Roderick Sammut and Kenneth Spiteri, midfielders Mauro Brincat and Gareth Sciberras and strikers Michael Gatt, Stephen Magri and Gilbert Martin were in fact dropped. Brincat and Sciberras are recovering from injuries while Stephen Magri decided to withdraw from the Under-21 squad to concentrate on his studies.
The two new faces are two players from the Under-19 squad - Andrew Spiteri of Pietà Hotspurs and Dyson Falzon of Mosta.
The players at Mark Miller's disposal are therefore:
goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana), Andrew Hogg (Pietà);
defenders Josef Mifsud (Msida), Ryan Mintoff (Hibernians), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Carl Sammut (Pietà), Andrew Spiteri (Pietà), Shaun Tellus (Sliema), Kurt Zammit (Valletta);
midfielders Andre Agius (Sliema), Roderick Bajada (Msida), Shaun Bajada (Floriana), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Ian Zammit (Valletta);
forwards Nicoḷ Baldacchino (Floriana), Dyson Falzon (Mosta), Andre Schembri (Hibernians) and Terence Scerri (Hibernians).
Miller is not expected to make much changes from the team which faced Sweden and is therefore expected to field: Reuben Gauci, Alex Muscat, Shaun Bajada, Roderick Bajada, Ryan Mintoff, Shaun Tellus, Trevor Cilia, Christian Cassar, Terence Scerri, Cleaven Frendo, Ian Zammit (Nicoḷ Baldacchino).
The match will be controlled by officials from Serbia-Montenegro. The referee is Goran Mihaljevic. He will be assisted by Vitormir Simovic and Jovan Bozovic while the fourth official is Milenko Vukadinovic. The UEFA delegate is Mr Charles Schaak from the FA of Luxembourg.
Entrance for the match is for free.
Wed 6
- Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs Oratory Y. 3-1
- Three players have been dropped from the national team for the match against Iceland, two of whom due to work commitments, as the national 'A' squad was reduced to 20 players.
Jeffrey Chetcuti, William Camenzuli and Kevin Sammut were in fact dropped from the squad for Saturday's squad with the motive for Chetcuti and Sammut's exclusion being due to work problems. However Jeffrey Chetcuti will still be considered for the 'away' match against Bulgaria on Wednesday if arrangements are reached with his employers.
Therefore the squad is now made up of:
goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà) and Justin Haber (Birkirkara);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Ian Ciantar (Floriana), Luke Dimech (Mansfield), Adrian Pulis (Hibernians), Brian Said (Sliema), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Stefan Giglio (Sliema), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Claude Mattocks (Sliema), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Ivan Woods (Pietà), Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara) and
forwards Etienne Barbara (Marsaxlokk), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Michael Galea (Birkirkara) and Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom).
Meanwhile the Under-21 squad was also reduced to 20 players following the exclusion of eight players and the addition of another two.
Goalkeeper Kris Calleja, defenders Roderick Sammut and Kenneth Spiteri, midfielders Mauro Brincat and Gareth Sciberras and strikers Michael Gatt, Stephen Magri and Gilbert Martin were in fact dropped. Brincat and Sciberras are recovering from injuries while Stephen Magri decided to withdraw from the Under-21 squad to concentrate on his studies.
The two new faces are two players from the Under-19 squad - Andrew Spiteri of Pietà Hotspurs and Dyson Falzon of Mosta.
The players at Mark Miller's disposal are therefore:
goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana), Andrew Hogg (Pietà);
defenders Josef Mifsud (Msida), Ryan Mintoff (Hibernians), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Carl Sammut (Pietà), Andrew Spiteri (Pietà), Shaun Tellus (Sliema), Kurt Zammit (Valletta);
midfielders Andre Agius (Sliema), Roderick Bajada (Msida), Shaun Bajada (Floriana), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Ian Zammit (Valletta);
forwards Nicoḷ Baldacchino (Floriana), Dyson Falzon (Mosta), Andre Schembri (Hibernians) and Terence Scerri (Hibernians).
- Iceland coaches Asgeir Sigurvinsson and Logi Olafsson have named their squad for Group Eight World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Sweden. Missing from the squad is the most capped player Runar Kristinsson because of injury. Iceland face Malta on Friday at Ta' Qali and Sweden four days later in Reykjavik.
Midfielder Kristinsson of Belgium's Lokeren, who has 104 caps, is joined on the sidelines by defender Ivar Ingimarsson of Reading in England who said he would not play for Iceland while Sigurvinsson and Olafsson were at the helm.
Johannes Gudjonsson of Leicester will also miss the game against Malta as he serves a one match ban.
FH Hafnarfjördur defender Gudmundur Sævarsson has earned his first call-up while Pétur Haflidi Marteinsson and Brynjar Björn Gunnarsson both return to the squad.
Iceland will be aiming to get their first points in Group 8 next Saturday after losing the two matches they have played so far, against Bulgaria and Hungary.
Their record against Malta is a very positive one with eight wins and two defeats from ten matches.
Malta registered one of these victories in a Euro 'Home' Qualifier played in Messina back in 1982 when Malta won 2-1. The other victory, a 1-0 win, came in the 1992 Rothmans International Tournament.
At Ta' Qali, Iceland managed to register three 4-1 wins over Malta in a friendly in May 1991, in the Rothmans Tournament in February 1996 and in a World Cup qualifier in April 2001. The last clashes between the two countries ended in a 3-0 win for Iceland in Reykjavik.
The squad selected by Sigurvinsson and Olafsson is therefore made up of:
goalkeepers Arni Gautur Arason (Valarenga, Norway), Kristjan Finnbogason (KR);
defenders Hermann Hreidarsson (Charlton Athletic, England), Petur Marteinsson (Hammarby, Sweden), Olafur Bjarnason (Brann, Norway), Hjalmar Jonsson (IFK Gothenburg, Sweden), Kristjan Sigurdsson (KR), Gudmundur Saevarsson (FH);
midfielders Arnar Gretarsson (Lokeren, Belgium), Thordur Gudjonsson (Bochum, Germany), Brynjar Gunnarsson (Watford, England), Arnar Vidarsson (Lokeren, Belgium), Johannes Gudjonsson (Leicester City, England), Indridi Sigurdsson (Racing Genk, Belgium), Gylfi Einarsson (Lillestrom, Norway) and
strikers Helgi Sigurdsson (AGF, Denmark), Eidur Gudjohnsen (Chelsea, England), Heidar Helguson (Watford, England), Veigar Gunnarsson (Stabaek, Norway).
The Icelandic squad arrives on Thursday at 23:00hrs on charter flight FI 1522 and leaves on Sunday at 11:30hrs on flight FI 1523.
The senior squad will be staying at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard while the Under-21 squad will be staying at the Coastline Hotel, Salina Bay.
The A team will be holding training sessions on Friday at 12:00 and on Saturday at 12:45 while the Under 21 squad will be holding a session at 10:00 on Friday and at 09:00 on Saturday.
- Maltese FIFA Referee Mr Adrian D. Casha will control the UEFA Under-21 European Championship Qualification match between Albania and Denmark to be played in Albania on Friday 8th October, 2004.
He will be assisted by Messrs Konrad G. Borg and Nicholas Debattista as Asst. Referees and Mr Anton Zammit as the Fourth Official.
On the other hand, on Tuesday 12, another FIFA Referee Mr Joe Attard will be controlling another UEFA Under-21 match between Cyprus and France.
Messrs Ingmar Spiteri and Alan Camilleri will be two Assistant Referees and Mr Lawrence Sammut will act as Fourth Official.
- Malta lost three places in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking following last month's 0-7 defeat to Sweden. Malta now lies in the 133rd place.
Malta however retains the 46th place among other European countries ahead of the Faroe Islands (135, up 2), Kazakhstan (145), Andorra (147, up 1), Liechtenstein (151, up 1), Luxembourg (155, up 2) and San Marino (167, up 2).
The national team hosts Iceland on Saturday and then plays Bulgaria in Sofia four days later. On November 17, Malta hosts Hungary. Iceland are currently ranked number 88, Bulgaria 41 and Hungary 68.
Mon 4
- Second Division Attard vs Dingli S. 4-0, Zebbug R. vs Gzira U. 2-0
- MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud stressed on the need to make the Premier League a more competitive one in a bid to improve the level of the game in Malta while speaking during a press conference which was held at the Centenary Hall on Monday with the main topic on the agenda being the World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and Bulgaria at senior and Under-21 levels.
Next Saturday's match against Iceland will be the first outing for Malta since the humiliating defeat to Sweden last month. Although the morale of the local players is very low, this match should provide our players the right stimulus to rise to the occasion.
The match will be a difficult one as Iceland, despite being a small country, boasts a number of top level players who play in different leagues around Europe.
The MFA president linked the current situation of the game with the lack of competitiveness in the Premier League.
In March, Dr Mifsud had put forward a proposal to reduce the number of teams in the Premier League to eight. A format which could have made the league more exciting with the battle for the championship and against relegation staying uncertain till the very end.
However a large majority of the clubs voted against this proposal which was presented during a meeting of the Council of the Malta Football Association in April, opting instead for a status quo.
The MFA president appealed for a more professional approach by local clubs in order to improve the level of the game. Clubs need to be more disciplined and have to be willing to improve the level of the game. An ideal situation would be that of each club having a number of professional players - something which is not easy to achieve but which at the same time, is not impossible.
Malta national coach Horst Heese said he and assistant coach Carmel Busuttil have been working hard to make sure that the mistakes committed in the defeat to Sweden do not repeat themselves. "At this point, players need to believe more in themselves," stated Heese.
The exclusion of Mario Muscat from the squad was based on the latter's lack of consistency according to the German mentor. Heese denied the existence of any other motives behind this decision and said the Hibs goalkeeper was arrogant in his comments.
The final squad will be announced on Thursday.
Meanwhile Under-21 coach Mark Miller said that although he is full of optimism following the fine display against Sweden last month, he is worried that a number of players are in doubt for Friday's game.
These include Msida defender Josef Mifsud, Hibs duo Ryan Mintoff and Terence Scerri and midfielders Mauro Brincat of Hamrun, Cleaven Frendo of Pietà and Trevor Cilia of Floriana.
Another setback for the team is the withdrawal from the squad of Melita striker Stephen Magri as he pursues his studies at university.
Dr Mifsud concluded by appealing for support by the general public in both matches.
Match ticket prices for Malta vs Iceland on Saturday at 18:15 are as follows:
West Side A (Enclosure Stand Upper - Reserved) - Lm 7
West Side A and C (Enclosure Stand - Lower) - Lm 4
Millennium Stand - Lm 2
Ladies, Children, Kartanzjan holders and holders of the card for Persons with Special Needs (in West Side C and Millennium Stand) - Lm 1
Persons on Wheelchair - Free.
Entrance for the Under-21 match Malta vs Iceland, on Friday at 18:00 at the National Stadium, will be for free.
- In line with its policy to be more pro-active, the Malta Football Association has finalised arrangements to coordinate with Smash TV in the production of a new TV programme, MFA Magazine.
The MFA-generated agenda of this programme aims at providing information of general interest and at the same time clarify MFA policies and decisions.
The weekly one-hour programme will be produced by Rodney Vassallo and relayed on SMASH TV every Thursday at 19:00 with a repeat on Friday at 22:00.
Several topics of a general and current nature will be dealt with. There will be features focusing on the Malta National Teams, domestic competitions, as well as other features of a technical nature, including aspects of refereeing and the Referees' role within the Association, the Technical Centre and the work of several Boards and Committees of the Association.
The programme will also cover topics discussed in the Council Meetings, and other items connected with all activities run by the Association.
In this way it is hoped that the public, will be constantly updated with the workings of the Association, its policies and decisions.
The first programme is scheduled for Thursday 7th October 2004.
Sun 3
- First Division Senglea A. vs Balzan Y. 2-1, Hamrun S. vs Mqabba 3-2
- Second Division Mellieha vs Tarxien R. 1-2, Rabat A. vs St. Andrews 0-3
- Third Division Gharghur vs Fgura U. 2-1, Sta Lucia vs Pembroke A. 3-0
- Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Zebbug R. 3-1, Victoria H. vs Xaghra U. 0-2
Sat 2
- First Division St. George's vs Marsa 1-4, Mosta vs Naxxar L. 2-3
- Second Division Qormi vs Melita 1-1, Sta. Venera L. vs Vittoriosa S. 0-1
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y. 3-2
- Gozo - Second Division Sannat L. vs Qala SJ 2-2
- National coach Horst Heese and Under 21 coach Mark Miller named the provisional squads for Malta's commitments at home against Iceland and away in Bulgaria at senior and Under-21 level in the coming days.
The Under-21 side hosts Iceland at Ta' Qali on Friday 8 while the senior sides face each other on Saturday 9. The squads then travel to Sofia, Bulgaria where the Under-21 side plays on Tuesday 12 and the senior side on Wednesday 13.
Back in the senior squad is Jeffrey Chetcuti who missed the last game against Sweden. Mario Muscat, Noel Turner, Antoine Zahra (Hibs) and Daniel Theuma are no longer part of the squad.
The players selected by Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil are:
goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà) and Justin Haber (Birkirkara);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema), Ian Ciantar (Floriana), Luke Dimech (Mansfield), Adrian Pulis (Hibernians), Brian Said (Sliema), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Stefan Giglio (Sliema), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Claude Mattocks (Sliema), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Kevin Sammut (Msida), Ivan Woods (Pietà), Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara) and
forwards Etienne Barbara (Marsaxlokk), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Michael Galea (Birkirkara) and Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom).
On the other hand, the players selected by Mark Miller are:
goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana), Andrew Hogg (Pietà), Kris Calleja (Mqabba);
defenders Josef Mifsud (Msida), Ryan Mintoff (Hibernians), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Carl Sammut (Pietà), Roderick Sammut (Birkirkara), Kenneth Spiteri (Hibernians), Shaun Tellus (Sliema), Kurt Zammit (Valletta);
midfielders Andre Agius (Sliema), Roderick Bajada (Msida), Shaun Bajada (Floriana), Mauro Brincat (Hamrun), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Gareth Sciberras (Pietà), Ian Zammit (Valletta);
forwards Nicoḷ Baldacchino (Floriana), Michael Gatt (Lija), Stephen Magri (Melita), Gilbert Martin (Marsa), Andre Schembri (Hibernians) and Terence Scerri (Hibernians).
- Bulgarian national coach Hristo Stoichkov named a 22-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Croatia and Malta.
VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Marian Hristov and Levski Sofia defender Ilian Stoyanov are still not fully fit after suffering injuries but were included for the squad for the two games.
Stoichkov considers the match against Croatia as a crucial one. "The match with Croatia will be the most important for us. If we manage to win we will qualify for the World Cup in Germany."
Bulgaria defeated Iceland 3-1 in their opening qualifier in Reykjavik last month. Bulgaria will play Malta Oct. 13, four days after facing Croatia.
The players selected by Stoichkov are:
goalkeepers Zdravko Zdravkov (Rizespor), Dimitar Ivankov (Levski Sofia);
defenders Elin Topuzakov (Levski Sofia), Iliyan Stoyanov (Levski Sofia), Georgi Markov (Levski Sofia), Radostin Kishishev (Charlton Athletic), Ivailo Petkov (Kuban Krasnodar), Rosen Kirilov (Litex Lovech);
midfielders Stiliyan Petrov (Celtic), Chavdar Yankov (Slavia Sofia), Marian Hristov (VfL Wolfsburg), Emil Gargorov (CSKA Sofia), Martin Kamburov (Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Dimitar Telkiyski (Levski Sofia), Asen Bukarev (Levski Sofia) and
forwards Hristo Yanev (CSKA Sofia), Zdravko Lazarov (Gaziantepspor), Dimitar Berbatov (Bayer Leverkusen), Martin Petrov (VfL Wolfsburg), Vladimir Manchev (Levante), Valeri Bozhinov (Lecce), Stoiko Sakaliev (CSKA Sofia).
Fri 1
- Premier League St. Patrick vs Valletta 1-2, Marsaxlokk vs Sliema W. 1-3
- Third Division Kirkop U. vs Mgarr U. 3-0, Birzebbuga SP vs Zejtun C. 1-1
- Adrian Pulis of Hibernians and Mario Caruana of Floriana were handed a one-match ban after being sent off during the Premier League match against Pietà Hotspurs and Birkirkara respectively.
Both will therefore miss the next league match. The Paolites were supposed to face Floriana on October 16. However this match was postponed and it was replaced by Pietà H. vs Msida SJ which was first scheduled for October 18.
If the game between Hibernians and Floriana is postponed by more than a week, Pulis will miss the game against St. Patrick while Caruana will miss that against Sliema.
Other players who were suspended by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner were Keith Spiteri (Mellieha), Anton Muscat (Xghajra) and Alessio Magro (St. George's - U-19).
- The Iceland FA is not an old Federation on the FIFA and UEFA map. Inscribing its name in the Game's global fraternity in 1947 and seven years later in UEFA, the Football Association of this Nordic archipelago, has set its sights on establishing a firm foothold on the world scene, in line with their more renowned Viking neighbours, Sweden, Norway and Finland.
And since those days, this country, with more or less the same population as that of Malta, has made strides forward in its bid to improve the standard of football. Iceland, currently ranked number 80 in FIFA's standings, boasts of some prestigious victories over elite opponents, such as Germany, Holland, Spain, Russia and lately, Italy, with others over Turkey, Hungary and Norway adding to a growing list of fine results.
In the Euro 2004 qualifying matches, Iceland were still in with a chance of obtaining a berth in the Portugal finals, at least through a play-off, until they were ousted by first-placed Germany and runners-up Scotland in the final matches. Nevertheless, their 13- point tally in that qualifying group was the highest ever they obtained in the competition or in a World Cup group, and surely a good omen for the future.
Moulded in Nordic character and resilience, the Icelandic people have sport at heart. Athletics and Swimming are probably the disciplines they are mostly renowned for. A couple of Olympic medals in these Sports in recent editions rubberstamped that tradition. Football comes very close in popularity, and the migration of their top performers to continental and British clubs has further added to the allure the game enjoys in this sparsely inhabited country.
Iceland had to overcome teething troubles in the early years since 1947, when defeats for their national team were the order of the day. But then they picked up, and a reading of 87 victories and 57 draws out of 322 matches played until the end of last year, somewhat appeased the initial negative trend. Now the Icelanders are aiming to scale new heights.
Certainly, their record against Malta is a very good one. Eight wins and two defeats from ten matches, and 26 goals for against eight conceded, gives Iceland a clear edge in the direct encounters between the two countries. Malta registered one of these victories in a 1982 Euro 'Home' Qualifier played in Messina when the Maltese, under coach Victor Scerri won 2-1. The other victory (1-0) came in the 1992 Rothmans International Tournament.
Iceland's current national squad is composed mostly of players engaged with European clubs. Twenty-six-year-old Eidur Gudjonhsen, who plays for Chelsea, is their most representative player, undoubtedly, the biggest name to fly his country's flag beyond its shores.
In 32 matches the London team's striker has scored 12 goals for Iceland and is currently the team captain. The player with most caps is KSC Lokeren's Arnar Gretarsson with 79, followed by Hermann Hreidarsson of Charlton with 58, Thordur Gudjonsson (Bochum) with 56 and Helgi Sigurdsson (Arhus), who has 54 caps to his credit.
Iceland's progress in recent years is certainly attributable to a constant outflow of players to foreign clubs, where they can perform on a larger and more prestigious stage than that of their own country.
Coach Asgeir Sigurvinsson can call on players engaged with English, Swedish, German, Belgian, Danish and Norwegian teams, and that makes for a significant plus in the team's experience. On the other hand, he only has a handful players plying their trade in Iceland which has ten clubs in the top division, three hailing from the capital, Rejkjavik.
Iceland has drawn respect from other nations in recent years and their improvement was mainly evident when they beat heavyweights Italy 2-0 last August in a friendly match.
On the back of that result, respect for Iceland from the Maltese is certainly more pronounced when Horst Heese pits his team against the Northerners in a World Cup qualifier at Ta' Qali National Stadium on the 9th of October. Despite that 2-1 European Championship victory in Messina 22 years ago and another 10 years later, Malta's record against Iceland is heavily stacked against them. Retribution through a positive result would be most welcome.
Malta's heavy defeat against Sweden on the 4th of September is also too fresh to be erased. Could the Maltese rise from the ashes?