November 2004
Tue 30
- The draws for the qualifying round of the 2005/06 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the 2005/06 UEFA European Under-19 Championship took place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon on Tuesday afternoon.
Of the 51 competing member associations in the UEFA U-17 Championship, 48 will take part in the first stage of the competition, with the top three sides in UEFA's coefficient rankings – England, Spain and France – progressing automatically to the Elite round together with hosts Luxembourg, leaving the remaining sides to be divided into 12 pools of four. The top two sides in each group and best third-placed side overall go through to Elite round.
Malta was drawn in Group 1 together with Northern Ireland – who qualified for the finals in France, Serbia & Montenegro and Lithuania.
In the UEFA U-19 Championship, with Spain, England and the Czech Republic qualifying automatically for the Elite round by virtue of their high UEFA coefficient ranking and Poland hosting the finals, the remaining 48 member associations were divided into 12 groups of four. The top two in each section qualify, with the best third-ranked side overall also progressing.
Malta was drawn in Group 3 together with Norway, Israel and Cyprus.
The venues and dates for these mini-tournaments will be announced at a later stage.
Mon 29
- Third Division Luqa SA vs Xghajra T. 0-2 abandoned, Zurrieq vs Siggiewi 0-2
A Third Division match between Luqa St. Andrew's and Xghajra Tornadoes was abandoned by referee Malcolm Mercieca nine minutes from time after he was attacked by Luqa players.
Sun 28
- Premier League St. Patrick vs Marsaxlokk 0-0, Floriana vs Msida SJ 1-1
- First Division Marsa vs Mqabba and Naxxar L. vs Balzan Y. postponed, Gozo vs Mosta 1-2
- Second Division Sta. Venera L. vs Qormi 0-2, Tarxien R. vs Melita 5-1
- Third Division Zejtun C. vs Pembroke A. 3-3, Fgura U. vs Ghaxaq 2-4
- Women's League Sta. Venera L. vs Melita 0-4, Raiders vs Hibernians 1-4
- Gozo - First Division Victoria H. vs Kercem A. 0-2
Sat 27
- Premier League Lija A. vs Birkirkara 1-6, Valletta vs Hibernians 2-2
- Second Division Mellieha vs Rabat A. 3-0, Dingli S. vs St. Andrews 0-2
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Xaghra U. 4-3
Fri 26
- Premier League Sliema W. vs Pietà H. 1-0
Thu 25
- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Malta has just finalised a sponsorship agreement with Gzira United F.C. for the coming season 2004/05. The agreement will feature the popular Colonel's face and KFC logo on the front of the official football kit.
Stefania Conte, General Manager for Food Chain (Holdings) Limited, operators of KFC in Malta, commented: "It is our pleasure to support Gzira United F.C. for the coming football season 2004/05. We have always been linked in one way or another with the Gzira community, since the opening of the only KFC outlet in Malta, and it was natural for us to accept the offer to sponsor a particular activity linked to the same town."
During the presentation of the sponsorship, Marco Debono, Marketing Executive for KFC and Tyrone Demanuele, President of Gzira United F.C., both expressed their satisfaction at the fact that such an agreement has been reached, and augured well for a successful year with the right dose of sport spirit.
"This sponsorship agreement falls in line with the various initiatives that we have taken in recent years to support sports in Malta, such as rugby, waterpolo and lately, football. We are proud to be sponsoring our home team and wish them every success for the next season," said Mr Debono.
Mr Demanuele said "The building that houses KFC was one of the first clubs of Gzira United F.C. so it is fitting that KFC are now our main sponsors! Incidentally, since we have been wearing the KFC logo on our gears, we too have won all our games!"
"We appreciate that a well-known international franchise like KFC is sponsoring a second division team," concluded Mr Demanuele.
In addition, all members of Gzira United F.C. benefit from a 10% discount at KFC and all other Food Chain (Holdings) restaurants when presenting their membership card.
- Msida St. Joseph will be holding a rally for club members and supporters on Friday at the club's premises in Church Street, Msida.
This rally will be held on the eve of an extremely important game against Floriana which could mean a place in the Championship Pool at the end of the first phase.
- A five a side tournament is being organised on Monday 13th December at Luxol Grounds in aid of Caritas Malta.
Each members of the winning team will receive a weekend break for two at Island Hotel Group Hotels while each member of the team placing second will receive a meal at Pizza Hut.
But most important is to take part, have fun and support a worthy cause!
For more info/booking: Call Daniel Young 99422674; Charles Pace 99429549; Marcette Busuttil 79424518. There are a only few places left.
Wed 24
- Two Premier League players were handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after the weekend's matches. Kurt Farrugia of Pietà Hotspurs and Massimo Grima of Valletta will therefore be unavailable for their clubs this weekend.
Kurt Farrugia of Pietà Hotspurs who was sent off in the game against Floriana will be missing the clash with Sliema Wanderers on Friday while Massimo Grima will be unavailable for Valletta as they face Hibernians on Saturday.
Christian Micallef (Attard), Charles Gatt (Gzira), George Saliba (Zebbug) were suspended for one match in Division 2 while in Division 3, Liam Vidal of Ta' Xbiex was banned for three months. Vittoriosa Stars team manager Manwel Ancilleri was suspended for four months.
Martin Camilleri (Floriana), Gary Vella (Kirkop), Josef Busuttil (Lija), Christian Mifsud (Mqabba), Jonathan Mifsud (Naxxar), Stephen Pisani (Sirens) and Steven Hyzler (St. Andrews) were all suspended for one match in the Youth League.
- Floriana and Malta international defender Ian Ciantar is ruled out for the rest of the season after having to leave the pitch last Sunday with torn cruciate ligaments and cartilage in his right knee.
Ciantar, who joined Floriana on loan in summer, is now expected to undergo surgery for the second time in less than two years at the clinic run by Dr Maertens in Belgium.
Meanwhile Floriana FC announce that a rally for all supporters is being held on Thursday 25th November 2004 at the Vilhena Band Club at 19:00hrs.
All Supporters and members are urged to attend this rally. The subject of the rally will be the current situation update, forthcoming events and the matches vs Msida SJ and Valletta FC.
Tue 23
- Third Division Ta' Xbiex vs Gharghur 0-1, Mgarr U. vs Sta. Lucia 1-3
- First Division leaders Marsa FC have launched their own official website - www.marsafc.com
The Marsa F.C. Committee is inviting all members and supporters to visit the site and
put forwards their comments and suggestions in the Forum Section.
All the latest information about the club and the team will be available in the site which will be updated regularly.
Mon 22
- Second Division Attard vs Zebbug R. 0-5, Vittoriosa S. vs Gzira U. 0-2
- Pizza Hut, Malta has just finalised a sponsorship agreement with Valletta FC for the coming season 2004/05. The agreement will feature Pizza Hut as one of their main sponsors for their Premier League team, with the familiar logo on the back of the football gears.
Stefania Conte, General Manager at Food Chain (Holdings) Ltd., operators of Pizza Hut in Malta, commented, "We are delighted to be associated with one of the best football teams in Malta. Pizza Hut is a top international franchise and the Malta story of this franchise has been a success from day one. It is only natural now for us to support a prestigious team like Valletta FC who has won several honours."
"Incidentally, since the players have started wearing the new kits, Valletta has won all their matches - so far, so good!" added Ms Conte.
During the official presentation of the sponsorship, Marco Debono, Marketing Executive for Pizza Hut and Charles Camilleri, President of Valletta FC both expressed their satisfaction at the fact that such an agreement has been reached, and augured well for a successful year with the right dose of sport spirit.
Mr Debono said that this agreement falls perfectly in line with various initiatives taken by Food Chain (Holdings) Ltd. over the last couple of years in support to a mix of sports in Malta, from rugby to waterpolo, and lately football.
Pizza Hut, Malta has also decided to do its part to support the team, by offering to give ALL Valletta FC supporters a free slice of pizza if the team wins the Premier League 2004/05.
"We hope that through our efforts, the supporters respond well by attending the matches to support the team. Hopefully, the enthusiasm will result in Valletta FC winning this year's title," added Ms Conte.
Sun 21
- Premier League Msida SJ vs St. Patrick 3-1, Pietà H. vs Floriana 2-3
- First Division Balzan Y. vs Hamrun S. 1-1, Senglea A. vs St. George's 1-1
- Women's League Hibernians vs Rabat A. 8-0, Birkirkara vs Mosta 3-2
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Zebbug R. 2-4, Xewkija T. vs Ghajnsielem 4-1
Sat 20
- Premier League Hibernians vs Sliema W. 2-3, Birkirkara vs Valletta 1-2
- Second Division Qormi vs Tarxien R. 0-0, Rabat A. vs Sta. Venera L. 0-0
- Gozo - Second Division Qala SJ vs Oratory Y. 3-3, Sannat L. vs SK Victoria W. 1-0
- On behalf of the Youth Football Association, president Fr Hilary Tagliaferro signed a three year agreement with the Hockey Association Malta thanks to which matches from the Youth Football Association Under 16 and Under 14 APS Bank Leagues could be held at the HAM Ground in Corradino.
Fr Hilary said that thanks to this agreement more players will have the opportunity to play on artificial turf. He said that thanks to sponsors and the Malta Football Association, the Youth FA could continue to work hard in order to improve the level of these leagues in which 43 nurseries are taking part.
The Youth FA president appealed for more help from sponsors, like APS Bank, Farsons, Cassar Ship Repairs and other did over the past 22 years.
Youth FA general secretary Joe Micallef said this was a clear example of how different associations could work together for the development of the sports. He also thanked the MFRA and the MFA Referees Board for their co-operation.
With the use of the HAM Ground and the St. Aloysius Ground, the Youth FA could now increase the number of matches played on artificial turf to around 500 from the 800 league matches of the APS Bank Under 14 and Under 16 Leagues.
One of the association's objectives is to host all Under 14 and Under 16 matches on artificial pitches following a process which the association had started two years ago. All Under-10 and Under-12 Pepsi Festivals which were held over the past two years have been played on artificial pitches such as the Centenary Stadium, the University Grounds, St. Patrick Ground, San Anton School, Luxol Grounds and the Gudja Ground as from this season.
The association will keep on working and investing in order to improve the level of Youth Football.
- Clyde Borg, winner of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2004 from Mellieha SC Football Youth Nursery, and runner-up, Tristan Caruana from Paola Hibs FC Youth Nursery, received the Chelsea FC official merchandise, which they selected from the mail order catalogue.
The presentation was carried out by Mr Joe Anastasi, President of Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta (CSCM). He said: "Through the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge we have encouraged young footballers to sharpen their skills and compete in a friendly environment with some of Malta's top nursery clubs. The presence of two Chelsea FC coaches in Malta last May, thanks to Chelsea FC, enhanced this unique football event."
"On behalf of the CSCM, I thank Emirates Airline for their support and for giving young players an opportunity to compete in a memorable challenge."
The Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2004 was organised by the CSCM and also supported by the London club, Chelsea FC.
Fri 19
- Third Division Kalkara vs Kirkop U. 0-3, Sirens vs Birzebbuga SP 3-2
- JG Management Group, a company of former Marsa FC president Joseph Gauci asked the Court to order the club to pay the sum of Lm 153,170 - a sum, which the company claims, were loaned to the club over a number of years.
The company filed a writ of summons against Anthony Mercieca, Christopher Formosa and Jason Pace, respectively president, secretary and treasurer of the club.
The Court upheld the company's request for the issue of the prohibitory injunction against the club in terms of which it was stopped from transferring players to any other club until payment was effected.
Thu 18
- Sunday's Premier League matches have been transferred to the Centenary Stadium after the management of the Victor Tedesco Stadium informed the Malta Football Association that the pitch is not yet ready to host matches.
In a letter, Hamrun Supporters Limited informed the association that due to unforseen circumstances the reseeding process was delayed by three weeks and therefore the pitch is not ready yet.
The matches Msida St. Joseph vs St. Patrick and Pietà Hotspurs vs Floriana will now be held at the Centenary Stadium. Since other matches are in programme at the same venue that morning, the first match between Msida and St. Patrick will be played at 14:30 while Pietà-Floriana kicks-off at 16:30.
The two matches that were due to be played at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday, that is the Third Division matches Ta' Xbiex vs Gharghur and Mgarr United vs Sta. Lucia, were postponed to Tuesday 23, kick-off times being 18:00 and 20:00.
The Youth League match San Gwann vs Mellieha and the Reserves League match Sta. Lucia vs Floriana, originally scheduled for Tuesday 23, have now been postponed to another date.
Meanwhile it was decided that two of the FA Trophy second round matches which were due to be played on December 26 will now be played on Monday 27.
Therefore two matches will be played at the Hibernians Ground on Sunday 26 and the other two at the Centenary Stadium on Monday 27.
- The Malta Football Association presented a donation of Lm 500 to the Ursuline Sisters of Angela House, Guardamangia.
This was presented by MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud during the meeting of the Council on Thursday.
The association had pledged an annual donation in aid of the creche since Pope John Paul II's first visit to Malta.
Wed 17
- FIFA World Cup Malta vs Hungary 0-2
Speaking after the game, national coach Horst Heese expressed his disappointment for the 0-2 defeat, although he admitted that they were "not expecting miracles".
"We are happy about the performance but we are sorry for our boys as they deserved a point from the game. In the first twelve minutes we had good opportunities which were well created. We kept the shape for 90 minutes. Then in the final stages, we took all the risk as we thought we could get a draw," argued Heese.
The German mentor said his players are gaining confidence and their performance is improving from game to game. "We will continue to work hard with our boys. Hopefully 2005 will bring us more luck."
Meanwhile Hungarian coach Lothar Matthaus congratulated his players for the victory. "It was a difficult game but we deserved to win. Out team is based on young inexperienced players. However they are improving considerably. We have a bunch of players with a good future," said Matthaus.
The former German national team captain congratulated the Maltese players and admitted that with a bit more of luck in the early stages, Malta could have gone ahead.
Matthaus said he was aware of the difficulties which every international match bring and is therefore happy to take maximum points from the match.
- Nadur Youngsters were presented with the New Gear for 2004-2005 season. The
presentation took place at Al Capone Bar & Restaurant on Tuesday 16th November.
In his introduction to the event, Mr Eucharist Camilleri thanked
Time International's Mr Etienne Camenzuli and their Gozo agent (Nike),
Hayat Drinking Water (Danone) and main sponsor Mr Joseph Portelli
(J. Portelli Projects and Al Capone Bar & Restaurant) for the help to Nadur
Youngsters.
Special thanks were forwarded to Mr Patrick Vassallo, Lucio
Debono, Mario Bonello and Mr Peter Hili, the Club's President and the
commitee.
The new kit was then presented to Mr Peter Hili by Mr Joseph
Portelli.
Dr. Chris Said, Nadur's Mayor and Nadur Youngsters Club Manager, also delivered a short speech in which he announced new projects for the Nadur Football Ground. He augured that this occasion of the presentation of the new shirts will give the much needed boost to the team.
All the players and Club Commitee were present together with a good number of supporters.
Tue 16
- UEFA Under-21 Malta vs Hungary 0-2
- National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil will not make changes from the team which faced Iceland and Bulgaria last month as Malta hosts Hungary in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium, kick-off at 19:30.
The coaches are once again expected to adopt the same defensive set-up which enabled the locals to hold Iceland in a goalless draw at Ta' Qali although the Maltese went on to lose 4-1 in Sofia.
Justin Haber will therefore guard the posts with Ian Ciantar, Ian Azzopardi, Brian Said and Luke Dimech in defence together with Roderick Briffa and Claude Mattocks assisting the defence on the two flanks. Gilbert Agius, Stefan Giglio and Ivan Woods will be playing in midfield with Michael Mifsud as the only striker.
Also available are Saviour Darmanin, Adrian Pulis, Stephen Wellman, Peter Pullicino, Etienne Barbara, Michael Galea and Etienne Barbara.
Birkirkara striker Michael Galea returns in the squad after missing the game against Bulgaria due to an injury while Etienne Barbara is once again in the final squad after being left out in the last three matches.
Last Sunday, Birkirkara midfielders George Mallia and Antoine Zahra were dropped from the squad as they are struggling to recover from injuries in the hamstring and groin respectively. Another two players that were dropped from the squad were Sliema Wanderers defender Jeffrey Chetcuti and Msida St. Joseph midfielder Kevin Sammut.
Mon 15
- Second Division Melita vs Dingli S. 1-0, Zebbug R. vs Mellieha 1-0
- The Malta Under-21 side will be hoping for a second positive result in the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign as Mark Miller's side hosts Hungary at the Gozo Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off at 13:00.
The game against Hungary will be the fourth one for the Under-21 side. Following a narrow 0-1 defeat to Sweden in the first game, Malta defeated Iceland 1-0 at Ta' Qali - a goal courtesy of Cleaven Frendo. Malta then lost 2-1 to Bulgaria.
Positive performances which should prompt Miller to retain more or less the same starting line-up, that is, Reuben Gauci, Alex Muscat, Shaun Bajada, Roderick Bajada, Ryan Mintoff, Shaun Tellus, Trevor Cilia, Christian Cassar, Terence Scerri, Cleaven Frendo, Andre Schembri.
In three matches, Hungary also registered a win, losing the other two matches. They lost 1-0 to Croatia and 2-1 to Sweden away from home, beating Iceland 1-0 at home.
Referee Alex Chykun from the FA of Belarus will be controlling the game. He will be assisted by assistant referees Vasil Kalinovski and Siarhei Zhuk and fourth official Siarhei Shmolik.
Sun 14
- Second Division Attard vs Vittoriosa S. 0-1, St. Andrews vs Gzira U. 0-1
- Third Division Siggiewi vs Luqa SA 3-1, Gudja U. vs Zurrieq 3-1
- Women's League Sta. Venera L. vs Birkirkara 0-9, Melita vs Raiders 1-0
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Ghajnsielem postponed
- Birkirkara midfielders George Mallia and Antoine Zahra are ruled out due to an injury from next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Hungary at the National Stadium. Mallia and Zahra in fact do not feature in the 18-man squad, named by national coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil.
Another two players were dropped from the provisional squad: Sliema Wanderers defender Jeffrey Chetcuti and Msida St. Joseph midfielder Kevin Sammut. Chetcuti had already missed the last three matches - the game against Sweden due to an injury and those against Iceland and Bulgaria as he did not train regularly with the national team due to work commitments.
Birkirkara striker Michael Galea returns in the squad after missing the game against Bulgaria due to an injury while Etienne Barbara is once again in the final squad after being left out in the last three matches.
The players selected by Heese and Busuttil are therefore:
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), Claude Mattocks (Sliema), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Ivan Woods (Pietà) and
forwards Etienne Barbara (Marsaxlokk), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Michael Galea (Birkirkara) and Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom).
The match against Hungary will be the fourth one for Malta following the heavy 0-7 defeat to Sweden, a goalless draw with Iceland at Ta' Qali and a 4-1 defeat to Bulgaria in Sofia. Hungary, on the other hand, played three matches, winning one against Iceland and losing two to Croatia and Sweden.
Malta and Hungary faced each other six teams at senior level, four of the matches being World Cup qualifiers. The first two matches ended in two defeats - 0-2 at the Gzira Stadium in November 1971 and 3-0 in Budapest in May 1972. Malta then obtained two positive results in the qualifiers leading to the Italia '90 World Cup. Carmel Busuttil scored twice in the 2-2 draw at Ta' Qali in December 1988. In April 1989, Malta held Hungary in a 1-1 draw in Budapest with Busuttil once again scoring Malta's goal.
The last two meetings were friendly matches in 1997. Hungary won 4-1 at Ta' Qali and 3-0 in Budapest.
Finnish referee Tony Asumaa will be controlling the senior sides' match. He will be assisted by assistant referees Ville Mantere and Janne Ivavainen and fourth official Jari Maisonlahti. The UEFA delegate is Pierluigi Pairetto (FIGC) and the FIFA commissioner is Robert Sterckx (Belgium FA).
The game on Wednesday kicks-off at 19:30.
- Malta Under-21 coach Mark Miller named the 18-man squad for next Tuesday's UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier against Hungary which will be played at the Gozo Stadium.
Valletta defender Kurt Zammit and midfielder Ian Zammit, who formed part of the squad for last month's qualifiers against Iceland and Bulgaria were dropped and they were replaced by Hamrun's Mauro Brincat and Paul Fenech of Naxxar Lions. The latter was part of the Malta Under-19 squad which took part in the UEFA U-19 mini-tournament in Slovakia.
The squad is therefore made up of:
goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana), Andrew Hogg (Pietà);
defenders Josef Mifsud (Msida), Ryan Mintoff (Hibernians), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Carl Sammut (Pietà), Shaun Tellus (Sliema);
midfielders Andrei Agius (Mascalucia), Roderick Bajada (Msida), Shaun Bajada (Floriana), Mauro Brincat (Hamrun), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Paul Fenech (Naxxar), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà) and
strikers Nicolò Baldacchino (Floriana), Andre Schembri (Hibernians) and Terence Scerri (Hibernians).
The game against Hungary will be the fourth one for the Under-21 side. Following a narrow 0-1 defeat to Sweden in the first game, Malta defeated Iceland 1-0 at Ta' Qali - a goal courtesy of Cleaven Frendo. Then Malta lost 2-1 to Bulgaria.
In three matches, Hungary also registered a win, losing the other two matches. They lost 1-0 to Croatia and 2-1 to Sweden away from home, beating Iceland 1-0 at home.
Referee Alex Chykun from the FA of Belarus will be controlling the game. He will be assisted by assistant referees Vasil Kalinovski and Siarhei Zhuk and fourth official Siarhei Shmolik.
The game on Tuesday, kicks-off at 13:00. Entrance is free of charge.
Sat 13
- FA Trophy Naxxar L. vs Mqabba 0-5, San Gwann vs Lija A. 1-0
- Gozo - Super 5 Cup Qala SJ vs SK Victoria W. 1-0
A goal five minutes by Mario Mifsud gave Qala St. Joseph a 1-0 win over SK Victoria Wanderers.
This game was surrounded by some controversy as the secretary of the SK Victoria Wanderers, Keith Vella Muskat was arraigned in court on Friday and charged with a bribery attempt.
Vella Muskat was accused of trying to bribe a player of Qala St. Joseph, Aloysius Ihebulu. He pleaded not guilty.
- Gozo - First Division Zebbug R. vs Xaghra U. 5-3
- Victory in Malta is an absolute must, says Hungarian national coach Lothar Matthäus as Hungary faces Horst Heese's side next Wednesday.
Speaking in an interview with FIFAworldcup.com, Matthaus said "if we want to keep the dream (of reaching the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals) alive, victory in Malta is an absolute must. Things have gone as expected for us in qualifying so far with the (3-2) home win against Iceland and (3-0) away defeats to the two hot favourites in our group, Croatia and Sweden. But we can not afford any unpleasant surprises in Malta."
About the game, Matthaus went on to say "It will certainly not be a formality. Malta's draw against Iceland showed that Horst Heese's team are no whipping boys. Andorra and Liechtenstein's successes should be a warning to us."
Hungary were considered to be one of the giants of the game back in the 1950s when Hungary made it to the World Cup final in 1954, only to lose 3-2 to Germany, a few days after the Magical Magyars with players such as Puskas, Kocsis and Hidegkuti, had defeated them 8-3 in a group match.
Since 1954, Hungary featured only six times in the last stages of the global event. These statistics were not in consonance with one of the most glamorous teams of the last century. Rehabilitation of the national team was a priority for the Hungarian Football Federation.
The restructuring programme to revive the romantic period of the fifties continued along the years and the recent engagement of former German international midfielder Lothar Matthaus as Hungary's National Team coach rekindled aspirations of a renaissance.
The top player in Hungary is currently Zoltan Gera who plays for West Bromwich Albion in England. Other key players in the squad are goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly of Crystal Palace and midfielder Pal Dardai of Hertha Berlin. Other players in the Hungarian squad play abroad with clubs like FC Copenhagen in Denmark, Energie Cottbus and Hertha Berlin in Germany, PSV Eindhoven in Holland, Sint Truden in Belgium and Viking in Norway.
The 20 players selected by Matthaus are:
goalkeepers Gabor Kiraly (Crystal Palace – ENG), Balazs Raboczki (FC København – DEN), Lajos Szucs (Ferencvaros – HUN);
defenders Akos Füzi (MTK Hungaria - HUN), Gabor Gyepes (Ferencvaros – HUN), Roland Juhasz (MTK Hungaria - HUN), Peter Stark (Gyori ETO FC – HUN), Zoltan Szelesi (Energie Cottbus – GER);
midfielders Pal Dardai (Hertha BSC – GER), Csaba Feher (PSV Eindhoven – HOL), Tamas Hajnal (Sint-Truiden – BEL), Szabolcs Huszti (Ferencvaros - HUN), Peter Lipcsei (Ferencvaros - HUN), Denes Rosa (Ferencvaros - HUN), Balazs Toth (Fehervar FC - HUN) and
forwards Zoltan Gera (West Bromwich Albion–ENG), Peter Kovacs (Viking Stavanger – NOR), Peter Rajczi (Ujpest FC – HUN), Sandor Torghelle (Crystal Palace – ENG), Robert Waltner (Zalaegerszegi TE - HUN).
The Hungarian A and Under-21 squads are expected to arrive in Malta on Monday at 13:30 on charter flight OS 2767. The A team will be staying at the Hilton Portomaso while the Under 21 side will be accomodated at the St. Patrick Hotel, Xlendi.
The senior squad will be holding training sessions on Monday at 18:00 at the Training Grounds, on Tuesday 16 at the National Stadium at 18:00 and on Wednesday morning at 10:30 at the Training Grounds. The Under 21 side will hold one training session on Monday at 17:30 at the Gozo Stadium.
The Hungarian contingent leaves Malta on Wednesday 17 at 23:00 on charter flight OS 2768.
Fri 12
- Third Division Pembroke A. vs Fgura U. 2-2, Ghaxaq vs Xghajra T. 1-0
Wed 10
- National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil are expected to have faith in the players who formed part of the squad which played against Iceland and Bulgaria. However Heese revealed he will be making one tactical change.
The national coach was speaking during a press conference ahead of next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Hungary at the National Stadium. On Tuesday, the Under-21 sides representing the two countries will be facing each other at the Gozo Stadium.
Two Birkirkara players are in doubt for next week's game as George Mallia and Antoine Zahra are suffering from injuries in the hamstring and the groin respectively. "This would leave us with less options," complained Heese.
Gilbert Agius is also suffering pain in the back but he should recover in time.
The German mentor said the tactical change is not due to the fact that he was not happy with the performance of any of the players. "We have to be more careful against Hungary. We need to go with realistic objectives. We need to be extremely concentrated and work hard. It is only with a good performance that we could show people they could be proud with the national team," continued Heese.
"If we take advantage of the chances we create, we could get a positive result. We always manage to create chances but then we have to take full advantage of these chances in order to obtain positive results."
Under-21 assistant coach Silvio Vella, who was speaking on behalf of Mark Miller who is abroad due to a family mourning, said the Under-21 side has been training regularly since the last match against Bulgaria.
A number of players from the Under-19 squad which took part in the mini-tournament in Slovakia were promoted to the Under-21 squad. In fact, besides Andre Schembri and Ian Zammit, who have already played for the Under-21 side, Clayton Failla, Paul Fenech, Dyson Falzon and Andrew Spiteri are now part of the squad.
Ryan Mintoff, Trevor Cilia, Cleaven Frendo, Christian Cassar and Michael Martin are not fully fit but should recover in time. Vella said the same plan will be adopted against Hungary although there could be some change in the starting line-up.
MFA senior vice-president Mr Carmelo Bartolo also addressed the press-conference. Bartolo argued that the debate about the national team which followed the heavy defeat to Sweden in September was something positive. He said the association is open to criticism as long as this is constructive criticism.
Bartolo said that every team has its era, just like Hungary who were considered among the 'wonders of Europe' a few decades ago. He went on to point out the differences between Malta and other small countries, citing their geographical position and the big support the latter countries usually receive from the central government and private enterprises.
The 'A' match will be played on Wednesday, kick-off at 19:30. Tickets will be on sale at the gates but these will also be available as from Thursday 11 until Wednesday at mid-day from the following outlets: Geraldu Kiosk - Republic Street, Valletta; Eros Stationery - Wilga Street, Paceville; Star Tourism - Pioneer Road, Bugibba and the National Stadium.
Match ticket prices 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.
The Under-21 match will be played at the Gozo Stadium on Tuesday at 13:00. Entrance is for free.
The officials for the U-21 match will be from the FA of Belarus: referee Alex Chykun, assistant referees Vasil Kalinovski and Siarhei Zhuk and fourth official Siarhei Shmolik. Finnish referee Tony Asumaa will be controlling the senior sides' match. He will be assisted by assistant referees Ville Mantere and Janne Ivavainen and fourth official Jari Maisonlahti. The UEFA delegate is Pierluigi Pairetto (FIGC) and the FIFA commissioner is Robert Sterckx (Belgium FA).
- Following a goalless draw with Iceland and a 4-1 defeat to Bulgaria last month, Malta climbed one place in the Coca-Cola FIFA World Ranking as published on Wednesday. Malta is now 132nd.
Among the other European countries, Malta loses a place and is now 47th, as the Faroe Islands climbed five places and are now 130th. Lying just ahead of Malta are Georgia (107, down 2), Northern Ireland (107, up 3), Moldova (112, up 1), Azerbaijan (116, down 2), Armenia (123) and the Faroe Islands (130, up 5). Behind Malta are Liechtenstein (140, up 11), Andorra (143, up 4), Kazakhstan (147, down 2), Luxembourg (155) and San Marino (166, up 1).
Malta's next commitment is next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Hungary at Ta' Qali. Malta is then expected to play a friendly match against a foreign club in January and a friendly match against Norway in February.
- Two players were suspended for one match after being sent off during matches from the first round of the FA Trophy. Anthony Eviparker of Marsa and Simon Zerafa of St. Patrick were both handed a one-match ban and since both their clubs were eliminated, they will have to serve this ban in league matches.
St. George's Under-19 player Christopher Brignone was suspended for two matches while another St. George's player Clayton Spiteri was suspended for three months. Jeff Bonnici of Tarxien Rainbows was suspended for one match.
Tue 9
- The Hamrun Spartans Ground Management Board has just ordered a first set of 200 hundred high-quality seats which will be installed at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. These should be ready before football from the Premier League and First Division resumes at Hamrun. Eventually the stadium will be all-seated.
This initiative had been launched a few weeks ago by Hamrun Spartans committee member Gaetano Falzon during a fund-raising programme on Smash TV. Phase 1 of this project is now in an advanced stage, thanks to Alan Cutajar and Victor Attard.
As soon as these 200 seats are installed, the second set of seats will be ordered for another section of the stands.
Meanwhile the Ground Management Board has launched an initiative thanks to which one can sponsor a seat for just Lm 5. The list of sponsors will be placed at a prominent place at the stadium and will be published on the club's official website www.hamrunspartansfc.com. Those interested should send an email on info@hamrunspartansfc.com or phone/SMS 79498947 or 79461511.
Mon 8
- Second Division Tarxien R. vs Rabat A. 2-0, Dingli S. vs Qormi 1-2
Sun 7
- FA Trophy Pietà H. vs Marsa 3-0, Mosta vs Msida SJ 1-3, St. George's vs Floriana 0-6
- Women's League Rabat A. vs Raiders 1-2, Mosta vs Hibernians 0-1
- Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Victoria H. 2-0, Kercem A. vs Nadur Y. 3-1
Sat 6
- FA Trophy St. Patrick vs Senglea A. 1-4 aet, Valletta vs Balzan Y. 4-0
Gozo - Second Division Knock-Out SK Victoria W. vs Oratory Y. 4-2, Sannat L. vs Qala SJ 0-4
Fri 5
- Third Division Gharghur vs Mgarr U. 2-1, Sta. Lucia vs Zejtun C. 0-0
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organizing another instructional meeting on Monday, 15th November, 2004, for holders of Foundation, YDD and CCC Licence coaches. This meeting will commence at 17:30
Wed 3
- The fixtures for the Pepsi Football Festival Season 2004/2005 for Under-10 and Under-12 teams were announced on Wednesday by the Youth Football Association. The games will be held between November and May with a participation of forty-three teams.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Pepsi Football Festival, Mr Alfred Cacciattolo, said that the Under-12 matches will kick off on Saturday 13th November at the Centenary Stadium whilst the Under-10 matches will commence two weeks later, on Saturday 27th November, also at the Centenary Stadium. Parents of the players as well as the general public are invited to watch the games.
"All matches will once again be played on artificial turf: Under-12 matches at the Centenary Stadium and Under-10 matches at various pitches, such as the University Grounds, the Luxol Ground at St. Andrew's, St. Patrick Ground in Zabbar, San Andrea School in Mgarr and the Gudja Ground. This has always has been a priority to the YFA to further develop the standard of football for young players," continued Mr Cacciattolo.
Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, President of the YFA, stated that the Pepsi Football Festival is the ideal opportunity to develop young players' talent in football as small-sided games give all children the chance to play.
"It is also important for parents and coaches to encourage the children to look at fair play so that whilst developing their football skills we are also building their character," continued Fr Hilary.
Mr Pierre Stafrace, Marketing Manager at Simonds Farsons Cisk plc said, "This is the eighth consecutive year that Pepsi is sponsoring the Under-10 games and the fifth consecutive year for the Under-12 games. During this festival, children have the opportunity to play on artificial turf which enhances the standard of play. The festival also provides a multitude of events where children can enjoy themselves playing football whilst improving their skills."
"Pepsi is associated with football all around the world, including Malta. The Pepsi Football Festival is designed to provide budding footballers with the opportunity to practice their favourite sport and this is in line with Pepsi's international strategy to encourage a sport which is so popular with young Pepsi drinkers," said Alison Schembri, Pepsi Brand Executive.
Fr Hilary concluded by thanking Simonds Farsons Cisk plc for the support of children's education through football and their cooperation in the organization of the festival.
- Clayton Failla of St. Patrick was the only Premier League player to be suspended this week. Failla collected his fourth yellow card and will therefore miss the next league match against Msida St. Joseph on November 21.
From Division 1, Jonathan Mifsud of Naxxar Lions was suspended for one match and Franklin Axisa of San Gwann for two matches.
Stephen Callus (Attard). Mario Debono (Mellieha), Junior Sank (St. Andrews) and Mark Ciantar (Zebbug) were all banned for one match in Division 2. Mellieha coach Dennis Fenech and Mellieha kit-manager Jason Gauci were fined Lm 25 each.
Three youth players - Luke Fenech (Gzira), Beppe Antignolo (Melita) and Adam Smeir (Rabat) were also suspended for one match.
Tue 2
- Third Division Kirkop U. vs Sirens 2-0, Birzebbuga SP vs Ta' Xbiex 2-0
- Second Division futsal club Konica Minolta Gunners FC will be aiming at maintaining their unbeaten record in the coming season which starts off next week.
The name of the team was changed from Konica Gunners to Konica Minolta Gunners, or KMG FC, for short. The reason behind this is due to the change in the name of the Main Sponsor from Konica to Konica Minolta.
During a lunch which was held at the Ristorante Cosa Nostra in Mosta, the Gunners launched their three corporate sponsors for the coming season, namely Office Electronics Limited, Konica Minolta - Office Equipment and Print X Press - Digital Print Centre. The sponsors will help the team to cover expenses such as Kits, Affiliation Fees and Training Grounds amongst others.
An attractive web-site of the club was also launched. The site, www.kmgunners.com, provides the latest news regarding KMG FC besides other information.
During the ceremony, the club thanked all its sponsors, club president Mr Anthony Micallef, team members and all the other medias that publish articles or produces TV programmes about this sports, Futsal.
Konica Minolta Gunners, winners of Division 3 Section A last season will be playing in Division 2 Section A together with Union Press, Jeepers FC, Southenders, Dreamers and Micab Futsal.
Sat 1
- Second Division Sta. Venera L. vs Zebbug R. 1-0, Gzira U. vs Melita 2-0