December 2004

Fri 31

• Marsaxlokk will be having three new foreign players in squad after reaching an agreement with two Bulgarian players and a Nigerian.
  Nigerian midfielder Minabo Asechemie and Bulgarian striker Dragomir Draganov were released. Asechemie moved to the UK while Draganov will probably return to Gozo where he had spent last season.
  The three new Marsaxlokk players are Mitko Trendafilov, Stanimir Georgiev and Michael Emeka Ochei.
  Mitko Trendafilov is a 35-year old midfielder. He is a former Bulgarian international with vast experience having played for several clubs including FK Neftochimik Bourgas, CSKA Sofia, Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Naftex Bourgas. His last club was FK Nesebar.
  On the other hand, 29-year old Stanimir Georgiev played for CSKA Sofia, Slavia Sofia and Rodopa Smolyan in Bulgaria and FK Gomel in Belarus.
  Twenty-year old Michael Emeka Ochei is the other new signing for Marsaxlokk. Ochei was a key player for Enyimba in their African Champions League success last year.
  Speaking to Nigeriasports.com, Ochei describes this move as a stepping stone to Europe.
  "I believe in my ability and with God all things are possible. I see everything that happened in my life as predestined, if I will play in Italy, Germany or Spain no one can stop me when God says so," Ochei said.
  At one point, he was due to join Hertha Berlin in Germany but the club and his agents failed to reach an agreement.
  As regards his move to Marsaxlokk, Ochei said "I have joined a side whose president treats me like a professional, I am living in his 'palace' and my move was financially rewarding I can confess."
  "I know I am capable of playing in a bigger and better place than Malta but every step in life is considered a start until you cannot walk anymore," concluded Ochei.
• Floriana released Brazilian striker Edoardo Do Nascimento. Bizu, who had joined Floriana in summer 2003, had so far a most disappointing season for the Greens, also missing several matches due to injuries.
  Bizu will probably move to Gozo where he already played for six months before re-joining Floriana. In Gozo, Bizu had an excellent spell with Nadur Youngsters. However this time, Ghajnsielem seem favourites to land his signature.
  Meanwhile other players to be released include Atanas Kristo of Lija Athletic and Edmond Lufi of First Division side Mqabba.
  Kristo will be replaced by a Bulgarian player. Lija's only other foreigner is Nigerian defender Daddy Okeke.
  Lufi, who played Premier League football with Valletta, Hamrun Spartans, Pietà Hotspurs, Naxxar Lions and Hibernians, will be moving to Gozo where he is expected to sign for Victoria Hotspurs.
  Victoria Hotspurs had secured the services of former Malta international goalkeeper Ernest Barry from Sliema Wanderers.

Wed 29

• Friendly Match Andalusia vs Malta 0-0
• Three players were suspended by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off in FA Trophy matches. Keith Fabri of Hamrun and Sandro Zammit Fava of San Gwann were banned for one match but since their team was eliminated from the competition, they will be serving the suspension in their next league match.
  Marlon Briffa of Mqabba was handed a two-match ban.
  Aaron Ancilleri of Vittoriosa was suspended for two matches. Other players to be suspended for one match were Emanuel Muscat and Alan Zahra (Rabat) and Charles Cachia (Vittoriosa).
  Youth players David Farrugia (Mqabba) and Glenn Attard (Fgura) were handed a one-match ban.

Tue 28

• Andalusia trainer José Enrique Díaz named a 20-man squad ahead of the friendly match against Malta at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville on Wednesday. The squad is made up almost entirely of players who ply their their trade in the Spanish Liga with no less than five players coming from Sevilla, who are currently third. The most renowned player in the squad is Diego Tristán of Deportivo La Coruna, who is also a Spanish international.
  The players selected are from Sevilla, Real Betis, Málaga, Valencia, Getafe, Deportivo La Coruna, Rácing Santander, Osasuna and second division sides Celta, Alavés and Cádiz.
  The players selected are:
  goalkeepers Antonio Santana DOBLAS (Real Betis), Jose Manuel Colorado PINTO (Celta);
  defenders Juan Luiz Fernandez REDONDO (Seville), PABLO RUIZ Barrero (Seville), Raul Zabala IZNATA (Málaga), Carlos Lopez MARCHENA (Valencia), Juan Manuel Delgado Moreno JUANMA (Rácing Santander), Enrique Martin CORRALES (Osasuna), RAUL LOPEZ Gonzalez (Cádiz), Abraham PAZ Cruz (Cádiz);
  midfielders Fernando Ramos VARELA (Real Betis), Arturo Garcia Munoz ARZU (Real Betis), Ruano Delgado ALEXIS (Málaga), Francisco Leon GALLARDO (Getafe) and
  forwards Carlos Dominguez CARLITOS (Seville), Jesus Antonio Mora Nieto JESULI (Seville) Antonio Ramiro Perez ANTONITO (Seville), DIEGO Herrera TRISTAN (Deportivo La Coruna), Julio Romero PINEDA (Numancia), Rodolfo Diaz BODIPO (Alaves).
  For Andalusia and other regional selections in Spain, such friendly matches are now a traditional event held towards the end of the year. Over the past six years, Andalusia registered five wins in six matches. After defeating a Liga selection 2-0 in 1998, Andalusia defeated Estonia 1-0 in 1999 and Morocco 2-0 in 2000. In 2001, Andalusia were held in a 3-3 draw by Tunisia but then defeated Chile 3-2 in 2002 and Latvia 1-0 in 2003.

Mon 27

• FA Trophy San Gwann vs Mqabba 1-1 (5-6 on penalties) Senglea A. vs Msida SJ 1-3
• The Malta national squad leaves Malta on Monday afternoon, destination Seville, for next Wednesday's friendly match against a selection from the region of Andalusia.
  Pietà Hotspurs goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin was dropped from the squad after missing a training session on Thursday. Birkirkara striker Michael Galea pulled out of the squad due to work committments while defenders Roderick Briffa of Birkirkara and Adrian Pulis of Hibernians are ruled out injured.
  On the other hand, Hibernians midfielder Andre Schembri was left of the squad as he currently have some differences with the club and was not part of the Paolites' squad in the Super 5 Tournament matches.
  The second goalkeeper will be Reuben Gauci of Floriana. He joins other new faces like defenders Alex Muscat of Sliema and Kenneth Spiteri of Hibernians; midfielders Cleaven Frendo of Pietà and Massimo Grima of Valletta and strikers Trevor Cilia of Floriana and Jamie Pace of Marsaxlokk.
  Alex Muscat and Cleaven Frendo have already made one appearance for Malta in the International Tournament which was held in February. Massimo Grima, on the other hand, used to form part of the national squad under Ilic and Held.
  The players who will make the trip to Spain are therefore:
  goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana), Justin Haber (Birkirkara);
  defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Brian Said (Sliema), Kenneth Spiteri (Hibernians), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
  midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Massimo Grima (Valletta), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Ivan Woods (Pietà) and
  forwards Etienne Barbara (Marsaxlokk), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians) and Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk).
  This friendly match is similar to the one played by Malta two years ago when goals by Adrian Mifsud and Noel Turner gave Sigi Held's boys a 2-0 win over the Balearic Islands.

Sun 26

• FA Trophy Hamrun S. vs Floriana 0-2 aet, Pietà H. vs Valletta 1-2
• Super-Five Marsaxlokk vs Hibernians 2-0, Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 2-0
• Second Division Rabat A. vs Vittoriosa S. 1-2, Dingli S. vs Tarxien R. 0-0
• Third Division Zejtun C. vs Ghaxaq 6-0, Zurrieq vs Luqa SA 0-1
• Gozo - First Division Xaghra U. vs Victoria H. 3-2, Kercem A. vs Zebbug R. 1-1

Fri 24

• No less than 97 matches were played so far in the Futsal League organised by the Malta Football Association. Five teams have so far maintained a hundred per cent record.
  In the First Division Section A, Air Malta Cabin Crew lead the table with maximum points from four matches, followed by last season's champions Serbia and El Mundos on 6. Both have a game in hand. In Section B, Swing Kids won the three matches played so far but they will definitely have a good challenge especially by Hibernians and Liverpool Supporters Club.
  Konica Minolta Gunners lead the standings in the Second Division Section A after claiming maximum points from the first three matches. On the other hand, in Section B, Zurrieq FC won the the three matches played so far. They lead by three points over Juvenis Aluserv and Zurrieq Old Boys.
  The team of Net Television's reality show Net Stars won an impressive five matches out of five and lead the table in the Third Division Section A. In their last outing, they managed to beat Cool Boys 3-2, a team which had claimed maximum points before this match.
  In Section B, it is a most balanced affair with Korol, ECB FC, Babylonia and KM PHS standing more or less on the same level. Fugazi 5, Olimpia 5 Thermaseal and Central Bank lead the table with 9 points in Section C but Lazio Supporters Club are just two points behind.
  Section D is also very close with only a couple of points seperating Energizer Boys, Southsiders, Vittoriosa Stars and Pumas.
• Two football personalities - MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and Birkirkara FC international secretary Mr John Borg - are among the list of nominees for the Official of the Year Award in the 44th edition of the Konkors Sportivi Nazzjonali.
  The presentations night of this contest, which is organised by the Ghaqda Kittieba Sport, will be held on Saturday January 29 at the Radisson SAS, St Julian's.
  Dr Joe Mifsud was confirmed as president of the Malta Football Association for the years 2004-2007 after polling 56 votes out of 97 in the election which was held during the Annual General Meeting of the Malta Football Association which was held in July. In April, Dr Mifsud was re-elected to the UEFA Executive Committee during the election which was held during the XXVIII UEFA Ordinary Congress in Limassol, Cyprus.
  John Borg was nominated due to his success in the recent election to the UEFA European Club Forum board. After having completed the first term of 2 years on the ECF as Birkirkara FC's representative, Mr. Borg was voted Chairman of the group of 27 clubs representing various different football associations from throughout Europe known as the "blue group", thus winning the sole seat available to this group of clubs on the highly successful UEFA European Club Forum Board, together with representatives of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Porto, Milan, Olympic Lyon and Ajax Amsterdam amongst others.
  Borg told the club's official website www.birkirkarafc.com that he is honoured by his nomination for this prestigious award. After having worked hard to advance in the Uefa EFC board, this nomination was already an honour in itself, both for himself and for the club and after being informed of the list of candidates short-listed for this award, he knows that it will be a satisfaction in itself to have got this far.
  Dr Mifsud and Borg are among ten officials nominated for the award. The others are: G. Bonello Dupuis and P. Valentino (sailing), R. Ebejer (waterpolo), L. Falzon and B. Vassallo (basketball), E. Galea (judo), V. Gatt (netball), C. Mifsud (weightlifting).
  Sliema Wanderers and Malta international midfielder Stefan Giglio was nominated for the Sportsman of the Year Award. This year, Giglio was voted MFA Footballer of the Year 2003/2004 and won the Best Player award and the Best Midfielder award in the Westin Malta Football Awards 2004. He also helped Sliema Wanderers win the double for the first time in four decades.
  The other nominees for the Sportsman of the Year Award are M. Aquilina and A. Podesta (sailing), O. Azzopardi (karate), A. Borg (snooker), W. Chetcuti (shooting), N. Coleiro (weightlifting), D. Galea (triathlon), D. Gilford (athletics), N. Lanzon (waterpolo).
  Sliema Wanderers were nominated for the Team of the Year Award. Sliema won the Premier League, FA Trophy and Euro Challenge Cup during the calendar year 2004.
  The other nominees for the Team of the Year Award are Women's Basketball team, Elusive crew, Wrestling national team, Rugby national team, Snooker Malta team, Fed Cup team, Bowling national team, Waterpolo national team, Sliema WPC, Weightlifting national team.

Thu 23

• National coaches Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil named a provisional 22-man squad ahead of next Wednesday's friendly match against a selection from the region of Andalusia at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville.
  Heese and Busuttil included a number of players who form part of the Under-21 squad and others who are doing well in league matches.
  In fact, new faces in the squad are defenders Alex Muscat of Sliema and Kenneth Spiteri of Hibernians; midfielders Cleaven Frendo of Pietà, Massimo Grima of Valletta and Andre Schembri of Hibernians and strikers Trevor Cilia of Floriana and Jamie Pace of Marsaxlokk.
  Alex Muscat and Cleaven Frendo have already made one appearance for Malta in the International Tournament which was held in February. Massimo Grima, on the other hand, used to form part of the national squad under Ilic and Held.
  Missing the trip to Seville are Luke Dimech, William Camenzuli, Michael Mifsud and the injured Antoine Zahra, Ian Ciantar and Kevin Sammut.
  The players selected are therefore:
  goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà), Justin Haber (Birkirkara);
  defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Adrian Pulis (Hibernians), Brian Said (Sliema), Kenneth Spiteri (Hibernians), Stephen Wellman (Floriana);
  midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Cleaven Frendo (Pietà), Massimo Grima (Valletta), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Andre Schembri (Hibernians), Ivan Woods (Pietà) and
  forwards Etienne Barbara (Marsaxlokk), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Michael Galea (Birkirkara) and Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk).
  This friendly match is similar to the one played by Malta two years ago when goals by Adrian Mifsud and Noel Turner gave Sigi Held's boys a 2-0 win over the Balearic Islands.
  Andalucia is a region in the south of Spain, comprising cities like Malaga, Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, Huelva, Cordoba, Almeria, Granada and Seville.
  For Andalusia and other regional selections in Spain, such friendly matches are an annual event held during the last week of the year. Over the past six years, Andalusia registered five wins in six matches. After defeating a Liga selection 2-0 in 1998, Andalusia defeated Estonia 1-0 in 1999 and Morocco 2-0 in 2000. In 2001, Andalusia were held in a 3-3 draw by Tunisia but then defeated Chile 3-2 in 2002 and Latvia 1-0 in 2003.
  Coach Jose Enrique Diaz is yet to name the squad which should include players who ply their trade in the Spanish Liga.
  The Maltese squad leaves on Monday at 13:00 on flight KG4107 to Frankfurt. The contingent will then arrive in Seville, via Barcellona at 23:35. The team returns to Malta on Thursday at 13:50 on flight KM613.
• Third Division side Luqa St. Andrew's FC were found guilty of the abandonment of the Third Division match against Xghajra Tornadoes on November 29 after some of their players assaulted the Referee.
  The Council decided to suspend the club's senior team for one season. However this decision is suspended until the end of season 2005/06.
  Therefore the one-year ban will be applied if Luqa St. Andrew's, through their Club officials and/or players, are again found guilty of a similar offence.
  Meanwhile Xghajra Tornadoes were declared 2-0 winners of the said match. Xghajra were actually leading 2-0 when the game was abandoned.
• The two Premier League matches which were postponed last Sunday will now be held on Wednesday January 5 at the Centenary Stadium.
  The matches Pietà Hotspurs vs Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers vs Lija Athletic were called off after the bad weather which hit the island over the previous week rendered the pitch unfit to stage two matches.
  Pietà vs Marsaxlokk will kick-off at 18:00, Sliema vs Lija at 20:00
• Six Premier League players were handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner.
  St. Patrick striker Peter Anizoba Chizoba was suspended for two matches while the other five were banned for one match.
  Anizoba will be missing the games against Sliema Wanderers and Valletta. Also missing for St. Patrick in the game against Sliema are Robert Cassar and Gordon Failla who both collected their fourth yellow card.
  For the match against Pietà Hotspurs, Birkirkara will be without Mark Anthony Bonnici and George Mallia.
  The other suspended player is Msida defender Patrick Giua. He will miss the game against Hibernians.
  Other players to be suspended for one match were Silvio Sciberras (Senglea) and Christian Camilleri (Tarxien).
  Youth players Dimitry Miroshkin (Marsa), Clint Borg Ferriggi and Stephen Victor Attard (Zebbug), Mauro D' Amato (Zurrieq) were also suspended for one match.

Wed 22

• Super 5 Tournament Birkirkara vs Marsaxlokk 2-1, Hibernians vs Sliema W. 1-2
• The year 2004 will definitely not be a year to remember for the national team after the team led by Horst Heese and Carmel Busuttil ended the calendar year with the lowest ever FIFA Ranking since they were first adopted in August 1993. In fact, Malta now lies in the 134th place, two places lower than last month.
  Malta has dropped five places since December 2003.
  This year Malta played ten matches, winning one and losing seven. Two matches against Moldova and Iceland ended in goalless draw.
  Malta suffered two heavy 7-0 defeats - to Germany in a friendly match in Gelsenkirchen and to Sweden in the first World Cup qualifier. Malta suffered another heavy 0-4 defeat to Belarus in the Malta International Tournament in February. During the tournament, Malta obtained its only win, a 5-2 win over Estonia.
  The other defeats were in the matches against Finland (1-2 friendly at Ta' Qali), the Faroe Islands (3-2 friendly in Toftir), Bulgaria (4-1 World Cup qualifier in Sofia) and Hungary (0-2 World Cup qualifier at Ta' Qali).
  Over the past ten years, the lowest ranking for Malta was 133rd - December 1997, June-August 2001, October 2004. In the first ranking list published in August 2003, Malta was 82nd. The best ranking ever was 66th, back in September 1994.
  Among the other European countries, Malta is 47th. Just ahead of Malta are Northern Ireland (107), Cyprus (108), Azerbaijan (113), Moldova (114), Armenia (119) and the Faroe Islands (131) while Andorra (138), Liechtenstein (142), Kazakhstan (147), Luxembourg (155) and San Marino (164) have a lower ranking than Malta.
  Next year Malta will be playing at least seven matches. The first one is a friendly match against Norway at Ta' Qali on February 9. Malta then plays four matches away from home: 30/3 vs Croatia, 4/6 vs Sweden, 8/6 vs Iceland and 3/9 vs Hungary. The national team hosts Croatia on September 7 and Bulgaria on October 12. Another one or two friendly matches could be added to this programme.
  
  But before these matches, the national team will be travelling to Spain where Malta will be facing a selection from the region of Andalusia in a friendly match on December 29 at the Estadio Sánchez Pizjuán in Seville.

Sun 19

• The B'Kara FC Youth Nursery is once again organising the Christmas Football Tournament between the 26th and the 30th December. This is the 14th year that the B'Kara Nursery is organising such a tournament which now established itself as one of the most important tournaments in youth football.
  Taking part this year in Category Under 13 are Sliema, Valletta, Luxol, Pietà, Hibs, B'Kara, Mosta and Msida, and in Category Under 11 are Hamrun, Hibs, B'Kara, Pietà, San Gwann, Luxol, St. Patrick, Valletta.
  The tournament kicks off with a march pass by all the participating nurseries from the B'Kara Football Club in Valley Road on Boxing Day at 8.45am accompanied by St. Helen's Band. A spectacular opening ceremony will follow at the Infetti Training Grounds.
  A special sticker album, which is the first time of this sort in Malta, showing all the players including their coaches taking part in the tournament, and photos taken during the matches, will be on sale during the days of the tournament.

Sun 19

• Premier League Valletta vs Msida SJ 5-1, Hibernians vs Birkirkara 4-2, Pietà H. vs Marsaxlokk and Sliema W. vs Lija A. postponed
• First Division Senglea A. vs Hamrun S. 1-1, San Gwann vs Naxxar L. postponed, Gozo vs Mqabba 1-1
• Second Division Mellieha vs Melita 1-2, Sta. Venera L. vs St. Andrews 0-2
• Third Division Ta' Xbiex vs Pembroke A. 0-4, Mgarr U. vs Fgura U. 2-4
• Women's League Sta. Venera L. vs Rabat A. 2-1, Mosta vs Melita 1-3
• Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Kercem A. 2-1

Sat 18

• Premier League Valletta vs Msida SJ and Hibernians vs Birkirkara postponed
• Second Division Attard vs Qormi 0-0, Tarxien R. vs Gzira U. 2-1
• Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs SK Victoria W. 0-2, Sannat L. vs Oratory Y. 1-0

Fri 17

• Premier League Floriana vs St. Patrick 2-1
• First Division Balzan Y. vs Marsa 3-2

Wed 15

• The Premier League match between St. Patrick and Floriana, scheduled to be played at the Centenary Stadium on Friday has been delayed by an hour and will therefore kick-off at 20:00.
  On the same day, at the same venue, the First Division League match between Balzan Youths and Marsa which was postponed last Sunday will be held at 18:00.
• Six Premier League players were handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Wednesday after being sent off or receiving their fourth yellow card.
  The players are: Julian Briffa (Floriana), Andre Schembri (Hibernians), Nicky Gatt (Lija), Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema) and Simon Zerafa (St. Patrick).
  Julian Briffa and Simon Zerafa will be missing the clash between Floriana and St. Patrick on Friday while Andre Schembri will be missing the important match against Birkirkara on Saturday.
  Jamie Pace will be unavailable for Marsaxlokk in the game against Pietà Hotspurs while Nicky Gatt and Jeffrey Chetcuti will be missing the game between Sliema and Lija on Sunday.

Tue 14

• National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil have recalled Marsaxlokk striker Jamie Pace to the national team.
  This is not the first time Pace received a national team call. Back in October 2003 when Heese and Busuttil were appointed as national coaches, Jamie Pace was one of seven new players in the squad. However he was dropped from the squad a couple of months later as he was going through a bad patch with Sliema Wanderers.
  A product of Sliema Wanderers, Pace lived in the UK up to a few years ago. He arrived in Malta in summer 2001 when he joined Pietà Hotspurs. After two successful season with Pietà, he moved to Sliema in summer 2003 but his career with the Wanderers was short-lived as he moved to Valletta in January on loan. Last summer he joined Marsaxlokk.
• Nineteen year old Marsa striker Anthony Eviparker has been called by the Nigerian Football Association for a training camp in Abuja, Nigeria ahead of the 14th African Youth Championship-Final Tournament which will be held in Benin.
  Eviparker, had joined Marsa in summer 2001 when he was yet to celebrate his sixteenth birthday. That season, he played nine matches, scoring two goals before moving to Gozo where he played for Nadur Youngsters. The following season, he scored four goals in 22 matches on his return with Marsa.
  Last season, the Nigerian striker joined Balzan Youths in the Premier League. He was a regular scored for the Youths scoring eight in 12 matches. This season, he returned with Marsa although they are playing in Division 1. He scored seven goals so far for the First Division leaders.
  Eviparker, who has been attracting the interest of foreign clubs, also having the opportunity of short trials in the UK, will be leaving Malta on Sunday.

Mon 13

• Premier League Marsaxlokk vs Hibernians 1-2, Valletta vs Sliema W. 3-2
• Second Division Zebbug R. vs Rabat A. 2-0, Vittoriosa S. vs Dingli S. 1-0
• Third Division Kalkara vs Gharghur 0-2, Sirens vs Sta. Lucia 2-4

Sun 12

• Premier League St. Patrick vs Pietà H. 0-5, Msida SJ vs Birkirkara 0-2
• First Division Mqabba vs Mosta 0-3, Balzan Y. vs Marsa postponed
• Second Division Melita vs Sta. Venera L. 2-3, Qormi vs Mellieha 3-2
• Third Division Siggiewi vs Kirkop U. 1-1, Gudja U. vs Birzebbuga SP 0-1
• Women's League Melita vs Hibernians 0-5, Birkirkara vs Raiders 4-0
• Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Xewkija T. 2-4, Victoria H. vs Zebbug R. 2-3

Sat 11

• Third Division Ghaxaq vs Luqa SA 1-0, Xghajra T. vs Zurrieq 1-2
• Gozo - Second Division Qala SJ vs Gharb R. 4-0

Fri 10

• Premier League Lija A. vs Floriana 1-1
• Another Premier League player - Terence Scerri of Hibernians - was suspended by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Friday.
  Scerri will be missing the next game against Marsaxlokk on Monday.
  St. Patrick assistant coach Louis Facciol was fined Lm 25.
  In Division 2, Josef Axisa and Fabian Cutajar (Attard), Alan Spiteri and Edwin Gauci (Gzira), Michael Micallef (Rabat) were suspended for one match. Adrian Gatt of Third Division side Gharghur was also suspended for one match.
  Quilin Refalo (Hamrun) and Terence Borg (Mellieha) were banned for one match in the Reserves League while Clayton Axisa (Attard), Andrew Camilleri (Melita), Matthew Bugeja (Rabat), Owen Spiteri (Gzira), Nathaniel Bouvett (Msida), Domnic Mifsud (Pietà), Michael Magro (St. Patrick), Justin Mercieca (Sirens) and Ronnie Celeste (Birzebbuga) were suspended for one match in the Youth League. Rabat Ajax Under-19 coach Carmelo Camilleri was fined Lm 25.

Wed 8

• Second Division St. Andrews vs Tarxien R. 1-1, Rabat A. vs Attard 1-1
• Third Division Pembroke A. vs Mgarr U. 2-1, Fgura U. vs Zejtun C. 1-2
• Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Zebbug R. 4-1, Kercem A. vs Xaghra U. 0-1
• First Division side Marsa FC will be holding an extraordingary general meeting on Sunday December 19 at the club's premises at 09:30.
  On the agenda are the approval of the minutes of the last general meeting, a speech by the president, the auditor's financial report for the period June-November 2004, the administrative report and other matters.

Tue 7

• Three Premier League players were handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after receiving a fourth yellow card during the weekend.
  The three players are Anastas Kristo of Lija Athletic, Cesar Paiber of Marsaxlokk and Keith Fenech of Valletta.
  Anastas Kristo will be missing the next league match against Floriana on Friday. Cesar Paiber will miss the game against Hibernians while Keith Fenech will be unavailable for the game against Sliema.
  On the other hand, Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi was fined Lm 20 after being sent off in the dying minutes of the game against Marsaxlokk on Saturday.
  Clint Gatt of San Gwann and Larry Lagana of Vittoriosa Stars were suspended for one match each.

Sun 5

• The MFA Technical Centre will be organizing another Club Coach Certificate (CCC) Course at Ta' Qali Technical Centre from the 13th January to the 16th January 2005, both days included. There will be an introductory session on the 12th January in the evening.
  Applications are available from the Technical Centre at Ta' Qali during office hours.
  Closing date for applications will be Friday 7th January 2005. A passport-size photo and a photocopy of the YDD (Youth Development Diploma) Certificate are also required. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
• The MFA Technical Centre's Instructional Meetings for UEFA 'A', UEFA 'B', MFA 'A and MFA 'B' coaches only planned for Tuesday 14th December 2004, Monday 14th February 2005 and Monday 11th April 2005 will be incorporated in a one-day instructional meeting as part of the UEFA 'A' Licence course.
  This UEFA Licence course is scheduled to be held between the 2nd and 17th April 2005.
  The exact day for the Instructional Meetings will be communicated at a later date.

Sun 5

• Premier League Hibernians vs St. Patrick 2-2, Sliema W. vs Msida SJ 1-1
• First Division Hamrun Spartans vs San Gwann 3-4, St. George's vs Gozo 2-2
• Second Division Zebbug R. vs Vittoriosa S. 0-3, Gzira U. vs Dingli S. 0-1
• Third Division Gharghur vs Sirens 2-1, Santa Lucia vs Ta' Xbiex 4-0
• Women's First Division Rabat A. vs Birkirkara 0-9, Mosta vs Sta. Venera L. 4-0
• Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Nadur Y. 2-2

Sat 4

• Premier League Floriana vs Valletta 0-0, Birkirkara vs Marsaxlokk 1-1
• Third Division Kirkop U. vs Gudja U. 0-1, Birzebbuga SP vs Kalkara 2-0

Fri 3

• Premier League Pietà H. vs Lija A. 3-0
• Holders Sliema Wanderers will be facing Hibernians in the semi-final of the Super 5 Competition. Birkirkara take on Marsaxlokk in the other semi-final.
  The semi-finals will be held at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 December. On the other hand, the finals will be played at the National Stadium on Sunday 26.
  Meanwhile in the second round of the FA Trophy, Pietà Hotspurs will be facing Valletta while Hamrun Spartans were drawn with Floriana. Msida St. Joseph were paired with First Division side Senglea Athletic. One First Division is sure of reaching the quarter-finals as San Gwann take on Mqabba in another second round match.
  The second round matches will be played on Sunday 26 at the Hibs Ground and Monday 27 at the Centenary Stadium.
• The Council of the Youth Football Association unanimously agreed to suspend Gzira United Youth Nursery Under 16 side till the end of season 2004/05 from the APS Bank League and all other activities including tournaments, festivals and friendly matches.
  A number of Gzira U-16 players assaulted referee Aaron Fenech during the match between Gzira United and Fgura United on November 28. The match was abandoned on 77 minutes.
  YFA General Secretary Joe Micallef said that the association had always taken disciplinary actions when necessary, depending on the seriousness of each and every case. The association feels a sense of responsibility towards the game and therefore cannot allow such people to hinder progress. The message is clear for all, concluded Micallef.
  Meanwhile there were long-term suspensions for a number of Gzira players - Matthew Mauro for four years, Matthew Saliba, Matthew Zammit, Matthew Sultana and France Costa for three-and-a-half years, Nikolai Gauci and Ryan Galea for three years.
• Former Malta national team kit-manager, Mr Joseph Schembri, better known as "It-Tripolin", passed away at the age of 83.
  Schembri served as a kit-manager of the Malta FA for over 45 years and who since his official retirement in 1992 and but until a couple of years ago, he was still helping the present MFA kit manager Carmelo Gauci.
  "It-Tripolin" hailed from Floriana and was one of the most keen supporters of the Greens.
  Schembri was presented with an award during UEFA's annual Gala in Monaco in August 2002. Schembri, together with other six personalities coming from France, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Spain and Sweden, was presented with the award known as 'The Magnificent 7'. His nomination was accepted by UEFA following the personal recommendation of MFA President Dr Joe Mifsud.
  His funeral will be held on Saturday at St. Publius Church, Floriana at 09:00.
• The First Hall of the Civil Court dismissed an application filed by JG Management Consultancy Ltd against Marsa FC for the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction.
  Magistrate Gino Camilleri dismissed Gauci's claim and therefore Marsa FC will once again be able to transfer players.
  Next Monday, the Marsa FC committee will be deciding which action they will be taking over the application filed by JG Management Consultancy Ltd for the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction. The club claims it owes Gauci nothing.
  Assisting the club are Dr Jason Azzopardi and Chris Busietta & Associates.

Thu 2

• The committee of Gzira United issued a statement following the incidents which took place in the Under-16 match between Fgura United and Gzira United and which resulted in the suspension of the Maroons' Under-16 side from all Youth FA competitions.
  In the statement, signed by secretary Etienne Cini, Gzira United deplored their players for their excessive reaction in the protests against the referee's decision. The club also expressed solidarity with the match official, Mr. Aaron Fenech, and agreed that the necessary disciplinary measures should be taken after such incidents.
  However Gzira deplored the fact that the names of the players who were suspended for a long-term were mentioned in the media, even if the law protects the names of people under the age of 18 even if they had committed more serious crimes.
  Gzira United will be appealing from the Malta Football Association's decision which the club considers as being too harsh when everything is taken into consideration.
  On Tuesday, the Council of the Youth Football Association unanimously agreed to suspend Gzira United Youth Nursery Under 16 side till the end of season 2004/05 from the APS Bank League and all other activities including tournaments, festivals and friendly matches.
  A number of Gzira U-16 players assaulted referee Aaron Fenech during the match between Gzira United and Fgura United on November 28. The match was abandoned on 77 minutes.
  A number of players were then suspended for long periods of time ranging from three to four years.
• Malta international defender Luke Dimech's days at English League Two side Mansfield Town are counted as he does not seem to feature in caretaker manager Carlton Palmer's long-term plans.
  Palmer, a former England international, is replacing Keith Curle who was suspended by the club. The latter's future is shrouded in mystery as the club ordered an internal inquiry into unspecified allegations made against him.
  Speaking to the club's official website mansfieldtown.net, Palmer said "Luke told me that he doesn't feel comfortable in either of the full back positions which means we have three centre halves when Rhys is fit so we feel that if we can get him out to another club this will allow us to progress in other areas - to bring players in to cover them areas for instance bringing in a centre half that does feel comfortable in the right back role to cover that position when needed." he added.
  The caretaker manager also admits that these decisions have been made lightly and are difficult to make: "Before telling the players I had to think long and hard but sometimes for the good of the club these difficult have to be made. Having said that Luke played very well on Saturday and with Dave Artell being out through suspension against Darlington that gives him the opportunity to play and who knows what will happen in the future. The one thing that is sure if he carries on playing well he stays in the team!"
• Four Maltese Referees, namely Messrs. Joe Attard, Adrian D. Casha, Chris Lautier and Anton Zammit have been appointed to the FIFA Referees' List 2005.
  Mr Lautier is a newcomer to the list. He replaces Mr Lorry Sammut who reached the 45 years age limit.
  The Maltese Assistant Referees on the 2005 List are Messrs. Philip Agius, Konrad G. Borg, Alan Camilleri, Joe Camilleri, Nicholas De Battista, Charles Micallef, Joe Rapa and Ingmar Spiteri. Micallef was re-appointed to the List after a lapse of one year.
  Two referees, Mr Konrad G. Borg and Dr Ian Miller, are also on the FIFA FUTSAL Referees List 2005.
• Floriana issued a statement to point out that they have no objection against their players training with the national teams after national coach Horst Heese barred Floriana players from training with the national teams.
  Ian Azzopardi and Stephen Wellman, who form part of the senior side, together with Shaun Bajada, Nicolò Baldacchino, Christian Cassar, Trevor Cilia and Reuben Gauci, who are part of the Under-21 squad were in fact asked to skip the training sessions last Monday.
  "The committee wished to clarify that it does not have any objection that the national team players attend the MFA training sessions at Ta' Qali. Following discussions with the President of the MFA, Dr Joe Mifsud stated that all Floriana FC players will be welcome to join the national team training sessions with immediate effect. A letter to this effect will be sent to the MFA confirming this decision.
• The Publications Department of the Malta Football Association has published its official Year Book for season 2004/2005. This is a popular and informative annual publication that has gained in prestige and has now become a comprehensive and official guide to Maltese Football.
  The current edition again carries a list of domestic competition winners of all Divisions throughout the years including Youth Leagues. In addition there is a very comprehensive international section that includes results of matches played by the National 'A' and Under-21 teams and going down to all junior teams' commitments.
  The Annual compiled and edited by Albert Fenech originally incorporated official fixtures of the Association's main competitions for the current season, but has over the years been expanded to serve as a guide to Maltese football throughout the over 100 years history of the Malta FA.
  Other information includes honours won by teams in various competitions since their inception, results of Maltese teams playing in all the European matches over the years, scorers' lists in domestic competitions, individual honours and details of most capped players and national team scorers' lists. The publication is a handy reference for all football followers.

Wed 1

• Jason Cutajar of Luqa St. Andrew's was suspended for three years following the incidents which took place in the Third Division match between Luqa and Xghajra Tornadoes in which referee Malcolm Mercieca was forced to abandon the game. Another two Luqa players - Oliver Cutajar and Malcolm Psaila - were suspended for three matches and two matches respectively.
  Meanwhile seven Premier League players were suspended for one match. The worse hit were Hibernians who had both Adrian Pulis and Mario Muscat suspended. Pulis was sent off in the last game against Valletta while Muscat collected his fourth yellow card. Both will be missing the game against St. Patrick on Sunday.
  The Zabbar side will be without Thomas Caruana who was sent off in the 0-0 draw with Marsaxlokk.
  Etienne Barbara will be missing the game against Birkirkara after being handed a one-match ban for being sent off in the last game.
  Branko Nisevic, who received his yellow card on Friday, will be missing the next game against Lija Athletic on Friday.
  Karl Bonnici of Valletta and Clint Micallef of Msida, who were both sent off during the weekend will be missing the matches against Floriana and Sliema respectively.
  Dyson Falzon of First Division side Mosta was suspended for one match while Darren Roe of Second Division side Dingli was handed a six-month ban. Victor Fiteni of Dingli and Chris Mifsud Bonnici of Melita were both suspended for one match.
  Youth players Darren Farrugia (Attard) and Christian Barbara (Hibs) were suspended for one match.