MFA Quarterly Review

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Malta Football Association

12.13 V 27 N 04 An official publication by the Malta FA Media Department

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s fist win 10 Malta’ over Faroe Islands

Social Responsibility in Football

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03 2014 A Year of Challenges for

40 MFA Integrity Officer at FIFA/

14 Heavy defeat for Malta in Sweden

41 Stadium Tours are gaining in

MFA

Setting the stage for Under 17 Finals On the cover Ryan Fenech in action against the Faroe Islands 19.11.2013

Interpol Workshop

15 Under 19 team in Russia

popularity

43 MFA/KSU collaboration

23 Under 19 Ladies Euro draws 25 Kercem in the last 16 of U*Bet FA Trophy

26 Landmark for Malta’s Ace Scorer 34 Franco Cachia amongst UEFA Top

47 Malta an integral part of FARE action

Photo © Paul Zammit Cutajar 12.13 V 27 N 04 An official publication by the Malta FA Media Department

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51 Donation of Footballs for kids in Africa

52 Crossword

Futsal Referees

36 Javier Zanetti in Malta

Publisher The Media Department of the Malta FA, Millennium Stand, Floor Two, The National Stadium, Ta’ Qali ATD 4000 Tel 00356 2338 6000 E-mail info@mfa.com.mt generalhelpdesk@mfa.com.mt Website www.mfa.com.mt Fax 00356 2338 6900 Disclaimer

Views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the official views of the Malta Football Association The reproduction of articles or extracts of any information published in this Quarterly Review is authorised provided the source is indicated

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Editor Manuel Gauci Contributors Alex Vella, Louis Micallef & Norman Saliba Pictures (photographers) Domenic Aquilina, Paul Zammit Cutajar, Joseph Borg, Louis Micallef, Rodney Pisani, Medialink, UEFA and the Malta FA archives Design Ikona Artworks Ltd, Mosta Printing Union Print Co. Ltd., Ind. Est. Marsa Advertising Sales

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Malta Football Association

The Malta Football Association is a member of the Federation Internationale de Football Associations (FIFA) and the Union des Associations Europeenes de Football (UEFA)

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A YEAR OF CHALLENGES ahead for the MFA Another year of intensive work performed by the MFA is coming to an end. Year 2014 will be one to look forward to and one which will be full of challenges for the MFA administration.

2013, was a year which saw the MFA continuing its work to improve facilities for its affiliated clubs throughout Malta and Gozo. A year during which the MFA updated a substantial part of its statute and started the hard task of completing a general reform in the regulations governing football in Malta. The reform proposal is due to be presented for the Council Member’s approval, before the start of a new football season.

The BOV Premier League also looks like heading for a change in format and proposals to make the competition more attractive for both the clubs and spectators should be presented in the coming months.

MFA also continued to strengthen its structures to fight corruption in football. Online betting and matchfixing has become the biggest enemy football is facing worldwide. A ‘Say No to Racism’ project will be launched in the next few weeks.

The refereeing sector was also given appropriate attention. Referees exchanges with other UEFA member associations, is giving our referees more opportunities to control matches abroad. During this year Maltese officials controlled matches in Ireland, Wales, Poland, Cyprus, Latvia and recently San Marino.

The MFA Technical Center led by Robert Gatt has also continued with its tireless work to raise the standard of local coach education. Apart from courses held locally, Maltese coaches go abroad from time to time to attend courses and seminars to enhance their knowledge of the game.

editorial

As for the football on the pitch and under the leadership of the Italian national coach Pietro Ghedin, our national team achieved creditable performances.

The victory against Armenia in Yerevan was the highlight of the year, but our team also registered a first in beating the Faroe Islands 3-2 at Ta ‘ Qali, in November.

Malta team captain Michael Mifsud earned his 100th cap for his country in a World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic played at Ta’ Qali in October, making him only the fifth Maltese player to achieve this.

Our other national teams experienced mixed fortunes on the international scene. The women’s national team continued to develop and for the first time ever achieved qualification from the preliminary stage to the group stage of the 2015 Women’s FIFA World Cup. The year 2014 will bring a new challenge not only for the MFA but indeed for Malta. The month of May will see the hosting of the 2014 UEFA Under 17 European Championship Finals. Indeed a big challenge for Maltese Football.

A high profile event which will without a doubt help the growth and development of the local game. An event which is bound to inject new enthusiasm amongst local youngsters.

And an event which is bound to uncover new names and faces who will in the future make name for themselves on the international scene, Finally, the Editor, other contributors of this magazine and the MFA administration augurs a Happy New Year to all those who have the game of football at heart.

Manuel Gauci Editor

Malta Football Association

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On the 15th September, 2013, the Asian Football Development Project, under the Chairmanship of HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who is also FIFA Vice President, organized a two day seminar in Amman, Jordan on the subject of Corporate Social Responsibility.

IN FOOTBALL MFA President, Norman Darmanin Demajo, who is a member of the UEFA Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee, attended this seminar in representation of UEFA, and we are reproducing hereunder his address to the seminar.

Your Royal Highness, Distinguished Guests, Dear Football Friends, Nelson Mandela once said “ Don’t address their brains. Address their hearts” I think CSR is about addressing people’s hearts.

So what is Social Responsibility ? If you Google it you will find an infinite number of definitions, however, personally I look at it with a wider view that for me has much more meaning and significance.

In my opinion, Social Responsibility is a constant reminder that the true power of our planet – the ‘human’ planet – can only be truly expressed when we ‘unite’ together to help promote a fair, equal and peaceful society. I strongly believe the popularity of football has the power to do that.

I don’t think that anything else exists that even comes close – no single individual race, colour or creed can do that. So ‘theoretically’ we are all involved in a game that has the potential to reach higher and further. And there lies our true challenge - let’s harness this together, and use this coalition and exclusive force of energy, and put it to the best possible effect, not only for the good of the game, but for the benefit of the human race.

Our responsibility, as humans walking this planet, is to act with RESPECT towards fellow human beings – who ALL have an equal right to be here.

And that, in my opinion, is the ultimate Social Responsibility definition.The question we should be asking ourselves is: “How can we use or even ‘abuse’ the popularity of the game of football to tackle issues that will ultimately make the world a better place to live?”

Yesterday I visited the refugee camp at Al Zaatari – It is a big city sprawling in the desert. It’s population is probably one third of the whole population of my country, Malta !!

I saw men, women and children sitting lazily on the sides of the dirt tracks that are considered as roads. I guess these people had their plans and dreams – just like us. Now they are enclosed within the barbed wire boundaries that have been set up to break the chain of human solidarity - boundaries that protect the happiness of some from the misery of others. I had the opportunity to visit the facilities and also speak with some of the Syrian coaches who are involved in the soccer programs that take place at Al Zaatari – to be honest, I felt a bit disappointed with the state of the facilities, however I am fully aware of the conditions prevailing in the camps. I am also aware of the efforts that have been made, mainly by HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, to draw attention to the crisis, and highlight the role that sports can play when facilitating visits from high-profile personalities, including UEFA President Michel Platini and FIFA President Sepp Blatter, however

I still felt a bit remorseful after what I witnessed. Obviously the basic needs at Al -Zaatari are food, water and shelter, but for the hundreds of kids I saw running around everywhere in the refugee camp, the provision of adequate facilities for playing football should also be quite high on the priorities list considering that in this case this is combined with a program that provides knowledge on Mine Risk Education. I understand that the Norwegian Government has very recently promised the installation of a number of artificial turf pitches in Zaatari, and I am also aware that UEFA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with both the Asian Football Confederation ( AFC) and the Asian Football Development Project ( AFDP) – both agreements provide for UEFA support through technical, logistical and any other appropriate means.

I feel confident that within the next few months, the situation at Zaatari will take a turn for the better. This will give thousands of children the opportunity to experience the ‘magic’ of football and how it can enrich their lives, even under such difficult conditions.

I am an optimist by nature. I see more good than bad and find hope even in the most miserable and difficult situations. I also believe in the power of ONE !!

But we are much more than ONE – we have seen and learnt today of the many initiatives that are being launched by so many people who care about what is happening and who are actually doing something about it.We need to realize that our earth relies on a balance in which every human being has a role to play, and where every human being exists only through the existence of another being. We are ALL connected. Yet history continues to show how this fragile human harmony is so easily shattered when people in power disagree.

Before I conclude I would like to share an idea and present it as ‘food for thought’ – an initiative that might come out of this seminar.

I am fully aware of the individual initiatives that the Confederations undertake to make

Malta Football Association

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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Social Responsibility a sustainable lifelong practise, and despite the different cultures that exist, these programs will continue to increase the understanding of social responsibility and how these could be put together to best use at National association level.

However, what if….?? What if we also came up with a world wide “Social Responsibility Program’ financed from a UNIFIED world wide concept” – basically one ‘pot’ that will seek to maximise the income and the benefits of application in the various ‘world wide’ projects that would be prioritised and determined by a FIFA Social Responsibility Committee, presently under the chair of Prince Ali. With a little bit of creativity there are a number of ideas and initiatives that would immediately come to mind.

The concept is simple “one world – one pot”. The popularity of football has grown so much that I now believe that we no longer have the option to sit back and do nothing – we no longer have a choice – the popularity of the game has donated us a powerful tool that we need to use to protect the weak from the strong.

“Doing nothing is no longer an option It’s no longer a choice – It’s a responsibility” That is our challenge – each and every one of us.I have always found comfort, consolation and hope within Viktor Frankl’s classic book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ – in it he explains what he calls ‘the last of the human freedoms’the freedom to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances. We have the freedom to choose our response - we can

either sit comfortably and do nothing, or we can stand up to be counted and come up with specific initiatives or ideas that will make a difference to the future lives of so many people.

I hope that a ‘seed’ has been sown in all of your minds. I also hope that we will allow it to grow. As always the choice is ours !! I would also like to thank Prince Ali and the AFDP for their invitation to UEFA to attend this seminar, and to Michel Platini, my President, for personally giving me this opportunity to share this experience.

Thank you very much.

Norman Darmanin Demajo UEFA representative AFC/AFDP Dream Asia Seminar 15th September, 2013.

Malta

DISAPPOINT IN LAST HOME MATCH MALTA 1 CZECH REP 4 In a match which saw captain Michael Mifsud making his 100th appearance for the national team, Malta had a bad start when just after three minutes T. Hubschman’s low shot was deflected by Rowen Muscat and Haber’s attempt wasn’t enough to save the ball from going into the back of the net.

Though the team looked like performing well below par when compared to the two previous home encounters, Malta still managed to create a couple of good opportunities.

On 17 minutes John Mintoff was slow to react on Alex Muscat’s through ball allowing Petr Cech to anticipate.

Photo © Dominic Aquilina

A few minutes later Michael Mifsud saw Petr Cech saving his shot from point blank range after running into the penalty area from the left hand side, after stealing the ball off a hesitant Czech defender.

D. Lafata made it 2-0 for the Czechs on 33 minutes, anticipating keeper Haber to head home a cross coming in from the right.

Michael Mifsud got Malta back into the match two minutes after the re-start when he slot the ball home past keeper Cech after a well thought pass from R. Briffa.

Malta’s joy was however short lived when just after four minutes Kadlec found himself alone in front of goal to cooly place the ball at the back of the net.

Conceding yet another soft goal put the steam out of the Malta team and a reaction never looked like happening. It was then only left for substitute Pekhart to head home past the helpless Haber in the dying seconds of the game for a final1-4 scoreline.

Malta

Haber Justin, Failla Clayton, (Fenech Ryan 87 min), Muscat Rowen, Cohen Andrew, Muscat Alex, Caruana Jonathan, (Agius Andrei 57 min), Camilleri Ryan (Fenech Paul 80 min), Mifsud Michael, Dimech Luke, Briffa Roderick, Mintoff John Coach: Pietro Ghedin

Czech Republic

Cech Petr, Frantisek Rajtoral, Tomas Sivok, Marek Suchy, Kadlec Michal, Borek Dockal, Hubschman Tomas, Plasil Jaroslav, Husbauer Josef, Lafata David, (Jiracek Petr 85 min), Kadlec Vaclav, (Pekhart Tomas 73 min) Coach: Pesice Josef

Malta Football Association

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 2014 NATIONAL STADIUM, TA’ QALI | 11.10.2013

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WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 2014 PARKEN STADIUM, COPENHAGEN 15.10.2013

HEAVY 6-0 DEFEAT

DENMARK 6 malta 0 for Malta in Copenhagen Denmark humiliated Malta to a 6-0 dubbing in the last of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Qualifiers, played at the Parken Stadium.

This was Malta’s second heavy defeat in four days, (following the 1-4 home defeat to the Czech Rep., which came as an anti climax to the overall emcouraging performances in this Qualfiication Group. A win for Denmark which assured them of second place in the final classification which however was not good enough to earn them a place in the qualification play-offs.

It showed from the start that Malta were never able to match the slick passing and fast running of the Danes, especially in their movements on the flanks, and it was no surprise that the team was already 2-0 down after hardly 11 minutes had gone.

Denmark opened the scoring after 8 minutes when Rasmussen’s header was partially blocked by the struggling J. Haber with the Danish striker scoring from the rebound.

The score became two nil three minutes later when KrohnDehli was floored by Mintoff on the edge of the penalty area. Macedonian referee A. Stavrev did not hesitate to signal for a penalty kick which defender Agger conveted.

Denmark kept on piling the pressure, with Malta hardly capable of keeping up with this early pace, and it was no surprise that the Danes made it 3-0 after 28 minutes when Bjelland headed home after a cross from the right by Ankersen.

On 39 minutes Clayton Failla produced the only attempt at goal for Malta in the first half with a strong shot from the distance which was well saved to a corner by keeper Schmeichel.

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There was no stopping the relentless Danes who scored their fourth goal 8 minutes from halftime. Again from a penalty taken

by Agger after Agius pushed Larsen inside the box.

which was saved by Schmeichel. Mifsud was presented with a golden opportunity on 81 minutes with Herrera serving him well only for Malta’s captain to hesitate and allow Delaney to recover.

With the Danes seemingly slowing down the pace in the second half, Malta seemed to do better at limiting the damages and keeping their opponenets at bay. Nevertheless Denmark scored their 5th goal 16 minutes from the end when Rasmussen slid the ball in the back of the net after Haber had managed to partially block Larsen’s low cross shot.

Malta finally managed to create a couple of opportunities. first Michael Mifsud worked his way past two defenders with his low effort ending wide of the far post. This was followed by a move between R. Muscat and Briffa, with the latter producing a shot

Denmark scored their sixth and last goal on 84 minutes,when Kroh-Dehli cut through the Malta defenders sliding the ball in the way of substitute Bille who lifted the ball past keeper Haber.

Denmark

Schmeichel Kasper, Ankersen Peter, Bjelland Andreas, Agger Daniel (Andreasen Leon 65 min), Delaney Thomas, Sloth Casper, Jorgensen William, Eriksen Christain, (Klusk Kasper 60 min), Krohn_Dehli Michael, Larsen Emil, Rasmussen Morten (Nielsen Nicki Bielle 76 min) Coach: Morten Olsen

Photo © Paul Zammit Cutajar

MALTA Haber Justin, Failla Clayton, Agius Andrei, Muscat Alex, Herrera Edward (Ryan Fenech 81 min), Mifsud Michael, Briffa Roderick, Muscat Rowen, Schembri Andre, Camilleri Ryan, Mintoff John Coach: Pietro Ghedin

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Malta Football Association

MALTA’S FIRST WIN

This was Malta’s first ever win over the Faroe Islands in four clashes played so far between the two sides.

Malta were superior in the first fortyfive minutes and went three goals up by the halfway mark. They then controlled most of the second half and looked as if they were heading towards a comfortable win. Faroe Islands however came back with two goals in the last 10 minutes of the match to set up a tense finale.

over Faroe Islands

Ryan Fenech opened the scoring for the home side, 17 minutes from the start with a powerful drive from some distance which ended up in the top corner and which gave the opposing goalkeeper no chance to save.

Hardly two minutes had passed when captain Michael Mifsud scored his 39th goal for his country to make it 2-0 after a through pass from Fenech. Malta kept the upper hand and it was no surprise when Jonathan Caruana helped the ball past the goal line from a corner to make it 3-0.

Faroe Islands reacted to this and striker Klettskaro twice had the opportunity to reduce the deficit. Once being denied by keeper A. Hogg and then firing wide from an angle.

Photo © Dominic Aquilina

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY ‘A’ MATCH NATIONAL STADIUM, TA’ QALI, 19.11.2013

MALTA 3 FAROE ISLANDS 2 Malta 3 (3)

Andrew Hogg, Caruana Jonathan, Agius Andrei, Fenech Ryan, Failla Clayton, Briffa Roderick (87’Vella Terence), Mifsud Michael, Cohen Andrew (81’Scerri Mark), Schembri Andre, Mintoff John, Muscat Alex

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Substitutes Haber Justin , Grioli Justin, Herrera Edward, Borg Jacob, Bezzina Steve, Camilleri Ryan, Gatt Baldacchino Clifford Coach Pietro Ghedin

Faroe Islands 2 (0)

Gunnar Nielsen, Jónas Tór Næs, Rógvi Baldvinsson, Pól Jóhannus Justinussen, Erling Jacobsen, Christian R. Mouritsen (46’ Sonni Ragnar Nattestad ), Daniel Udsen (82’Rene Joensen), Hallur Hansson , Heini Vatnsdal (87’Karl Løkin), Páll A. Klettskarð, Klæmint A. Olsen (71’Sølvi Vatnhamar) Substitutes Teitur M. Gestsson, Kristian Joensen (Gk), Kristin R. Mouritsen, Dánjal Á Lakjuni Coach Lars Olsen

The hosts seemed to ease their efforts at the resumption of play and this gave Faroe Islands the chance to get more in the game. Andrew Hogg was tested on two occasions, first by a fierce drive from Udsen and then tipping the ball away with difficulty after an effort by Nattestadt.

Hogg was however helpless against Hansson’s powerful shot from inside the box, with 10 minutes to go. This goal urged Faroe Islands to press forward and reduce the gap further. Something which they managed with two minutes to go when Baldvinsson drove low to beat Hogg for a 3-2 final scoreline.

This was Malta’s second win for 2013 and their ninth positive result in their last 10 friendly matches.

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Malta Football Association

Greece beat Malta 4-0 in a UEFA Under 21 Qualification match played at the National Stadium.

This was Malta’s fourth consecutive defeat in as many matches played so far in Group 7 of this competition.

MALTA LOSE 0-4 to Greece in Under 21 Qualifier

Malta started well and shared the spoils with their opponenets until midway through the first half, even after the Greeks opened the score in the 17th minute from the penalty spot.

By time Greece started to dictate matters and ended up with a well deserved victory, even though two of the goals came in time added for the second half of the match.

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Poutouridis (17 min penalty), Kolovos (45min and 90+1min) and Diamantakos (90+4mins), were the scorers for the visitors.

UEFA U-21 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 GROUP 7 QUALIFYING MATCH National Stadium, Ta’ Qali | 15.10.2013

MALTA 0 GREECE 4 Malta 0 (0)

Cini Yenz, Grech Christian, Azzopardi Ayrton (46’ Tabone Matthew), Muscat Zach, Kristensen Bjorn, Borg Clyde (75’ Muscat Brandon), Pisani Jurgen (56’ Bezzina Johann), Pisani Stephen, Camenzuli Ryan, Zerafa Daniel, Farrugia Jean Paul Substitutes Calleja Cremona Matthew, , Micallef Lydon, Falzon Darren, Spiteri Mark, Coach: Raymond Farrugia

Greece 4 (2)

Diodis Sokratis, Marinakis Nikolaos, Lykogiannis Charalampos,Potouridis Ioannis, Triantafllopoulos Konst, Mavrias Charalampos (77’ Kourmpelis Dimitrios), Lagos Anastasios, Vellios Apostolos (24’ Diamantakos Dimitrios), Kolovos Dimitrios, Bouchalakis Andreas, Karelis Nikolaos (64’ Kouro Alexandros) Substitutes Giannakopoulos Nikolas, Bougaidis Mavroudis, Kitsiou Stylianos Coach: Tsanas Kostantinos

Photo © Dominic Aquilina

ANOTHER HEAVY DEFEAT

at home for Malta’s Under 21 team Malta suffered yet another heavy defeat in a Group 7 qualification match from the UEFA Under 21 Championships. This time being a 1-5 home defeat to Poland who now top the group classification with 12 points from six matches.

Right from the start Malta never seemed to be able to get to terms with the Poles who looked determined to wipe off the defeat against Turkey in their last outing.

Though Poland dictated matters from start to finish it took them 28 minutes to break the deadlock. After several previous attempts during which they

also hit the crossbar from a distant drive

by Golla, Arkadiusz Milik put Poland ahead hammering home from a central position amidst panic in the Malta defence created after a corner kick from Zielinski.

Photo © Paul Zammit Cutajar

Milik made it 2-0 two minutes before the break, heading home a well taken cross by Golla.

Michal Chrapek’s header made it 3-0 in the 56th minute, and Bartolomej Pawlowski added a fourth four minutes later with a low drive from the edge of the area to beat Cini.

Polish striker Milik then grabbed his third on 66 minutes to make it 5-0 to Poalnd.

For the whole of 90 minutes Malta never managed a decent strike on the opposing goal. On 92 minutes, then came a solitary surge from Malta captain Zach Muscat who was fouled in the area, with Steve Pisani converting from the spot to earn Malta their first netting in this campaign, for a 1-5 final scoreline.

MALTA 1 POLAND 5

Malta 1 (0)

Yenz Cini, Matthew Tabone, Zach Muscat (captain), Lyden Micallef (84’Godwin Mckay), Steve Pisani, Sasha Borg, Clyde Borg, Brandon Muscat (70’Brooke Farrugia), Ryan Camenzuli (56’Jurgen Pisani), Ryan Scicluna, Daniel Zerafa.

Coach Raymond Farrugia

Poland 5 (2)

Jakub Szumski, Rafal Janicki, Daniel Dziwniel, Wojciech Golla, Michal Chrapek, Piotre Zielinksi, Dominik Furman (75’Damian Dabrowski), Arkadiusz Milik (69’Piotr Pardzyszek), Pawel Wszolek, Bartosz Berezsynski, Bartlomiej Pawlowski (64’ Mateusz Lewandowski).

Coach Marcin Dorna

Malta Football Association

UEFA U-21 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 GROUP 7 QUALIFYING MATCH National Stadium, Ta’ Qali | 15.11.2013

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UEFA U-21 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 GROUP 7 QUALIFYING MATCH Malmo | 19.11.2013

Sweden showed no mercy with Malta’s Under 21 side in a UEFA U21 qualification match played in Malmo, during which they scored five times in a match dominated from start to finish.

SWEDEN

DOMINATE AND SCORE 5 TIMES

SWEDEN 5 MALTA 0 Manchester City’s John Guidetti was without a doubt the best player for the Scandinavians, scoring two goals in the first half, with his first coming from a freekick 20 meters away from goal which left Malta keeper Borg standing. The Swedes doubled the score on the 20 minute mark with another spectacular goal, this time from Claesson.

A few minutes later Guidetti made it 3-0 for Hrgota to make it 4-0 just before half time.

On 59 minutes goalkeeper Borg saved what looked like a cetain goal when Hrgota came face to face with him after being perfectly served by Claesson.

Sweden 5 (4)

Strömberg, Johansson, Helander, Holmen, Krafth, Claesson, Blomqvist, Thern (C), Hrgota, Guidetti, Nyman

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Malta 0 (0)

J. Borg, Grech, Z. Muscat (C), Kristensen, S. Pisani, S. Borg, C. Borg, J. Pisani, Scicluna, Zerafa, J. Farrugia

Substitutes Lundin, Konate, Baffo, Hallberg, Kroon, Bärkroth, Kiese Thelin

Substitutes Cini (GK), B. Farrugia, Micallef, Mckay, Sam. Arab, B. Muscat, Camenzuli

Coach Hakan Ericson (SWE)

Coach Raymond Farrugia (MLT)

10 minutes later Borg could only partially save a shot from Kroon, only for Nyman to slot the ball home from close range.

This was Malta’s sixth successive defeat in the group.

10.10.2013

RUSSIA vs MALTA 4 0 UKRAINE VS ESTONIA 3 1 12.10.2013

UKRAINE VS MALTA 4 0 RUSSIA VS ESTONIA 5 1 15.10.2013

ESTONIA VS MALTA 2 2 RUSSIA VS UKRAINE 1 1 Malta earned a creditable 2-2 draw against Estonia after two defeats, in their last match from the UEFA Under 19 Qualification Group 13 matches, which were played in Kazan, Russia

UEFA Under 19 Qualification Group 13

Malta’s Under 19s earn a 2-2 draw after two defeats Malta, managed by Coach Silvio Vella, twice came from behind to level things with goals from G. Mckay (31mins) and R. Gilmour Cassar (83mins).

In the other match Russia and Ukraine drew 1-1, to finish top of the group with 7 points each with Russia making it to the next round on goal difference.

Tournament hosts Russia beat Malta in the first match from Group 13.

The home team led 3-0 by the half way mark with goals from Martusevich (4’), and two from Davydov in the 18th and 45th minutes.Evremov added a fourth in the 78th minute.

In their second match, Malta lost 4-0 against Ukraine. This was the second defeat with the same scoreline. Ukraine, led 1-0 at half time. Radchenko (twice), Miranyan and Karatic scored the goals for Ukraine.

The Maltese Squad Philip Schranz Jean Claud Debattista Timothy Desira Tabone Joe Reno Vella Neil Chetcuti Dion Fava Karl Micallef Kyle Cesare Kurt Zammit I Kurt Zammit II Jurgen Debono Godwin McKay Llywelyn Cremona (C) Jurgen Degabriele Ryan Spiteri Aidan Paul Azzopardi Clyde Cumbo Ryan Gilmour Cassar Coach Silvio Vella

Malta Football Association

UEFA UNDER 19 QUALIFICATION GROUP 13 RUBIN STADIUM, KAZAN

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The delegations first visited the Gozo Stadium and were shown the preparatory work currently underway.

UEFA reiterated many times that facilities for the several contingents from different countries and those for spectators are most important, while each stadium must ensure that there are security facilities for everybody.

After the visit to Gozo the next stop was at the Hibernians Stadium in Kordin where the guests could see the work currently being carried out. The UEFA personnel had some reservations about what they saw and contended that the Hibernians Stadium will be a very important venue.

UEFA UNDER17 CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS MALTA 2014

SETTING THE STAGE The visit of the delegations came to a close when they went to the National Stadium at Ta’ Qali where they could see the modernised structures and surroundings which hopefully would guarantee that this venue could host international football matches in the future.

The Eurosport delegation could observe the various vantage and other points where their TV personnel could work and relay matches live.

As far as the competition is concerned the preliminary qualifying round came to a close in November with 27 teams going through to join top seeds Germany in the Draws for the Elite Qualifying Round. The Draws were made in UEFA’s Nyon Headquarters on 28th November and resulted as follows:

ELITE ROUND DRAW Group 1 (26-31 March): Spain, Switzerland, Russia* (holders), Wales Group 2 (25-30 March): Poland, Turkey, Greece*, Norway Group 3 (20-25 March): Netherlands*, France, Austria, Sweden Group 4 (26-31 March): England, Italy, Czech Republic*, Albania Group 5 (26-31 March): Germany, Serbia*, Georgia, Republic of Ireland Group 6 (24-29 March): Romania, Scotland*, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina Group 7 (26-31 March): Portugal*, Iceland, Latvia, Ukraine Teams marked with * will host the matches from the respective Group. All the Elite Round matches will be played between the 20th and 25th March 2014

Malta Football Association

Delegations from UEFA and the international TV station, Eurosport, were in Malta in October to inspect three stadia which will host the final tournament of the 13th edition of the UEFA U17 Championship to be held in our country, the training grounds as well as to familiarise themselves with the hotels where the teams will be accommodated and see St James Cavalier, the venue where the final draws are scheduled to take place.

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news

Women’s World Cup Qualifying Group

MALTA BEATEN 2-0 in Israel

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Ramat Gan Stadium, Tel Aviv | 27.10.2013

An organized Malta defence managed to keep at bay the strong Israel attacks up to half-time.

ISRAEL 2 MALTA 0

After the break Israel continued where they left off in the first half pressing the Malta defence for long stretches with our girls trying to operate on counter attacks which however lacked punch upfront.

Israel substituted Sara Friedman with Rachel Shelma and the new player proved to be a threat to the Malta defence.

In the 50th minute Israel opened the score with a good first time shot on the turn from outside the area by Danielle Safar which gave goalie Janice Xuereb no chance to save. In the 51st minute Malta substituted Nicole Butigieg with young Brenda Borg.

Malta’s Women’s team was beaten by two goals to nil by hosts Israel in the first of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualification Group matches.

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In the 60th Minute referee Hilal Tuba Tosun Aijer awarded a dubious free kick on the edge of the penalty area and from this free-kick new comer Rachel Schelina found the top corner of the net to double score for Israel.

Israel 2 (0)

Merov Shamir, Michal Ravitz, Shay Sade, Daniel Sofer, Adva Tawil (Rachel Shelina 55’), Lee Sima Faljon, Moran Fridmar, Sarah Lynn Fredman (Karin Sendel 46’), Maya Barqui, Moran Lavi (Arava Shahaf 71’), Duana Redman.

Coach Meir Nachmias

Malta 0 (0)

Janice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra, Rebecca D’Agostino, Dorianne Theuma (Mandy Debono 76’), Ylemia Carabott, Rachel Cuschieri, Nicole Buttigieg (Brenda Borg 51’), Antoinette Sammut, Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit, Emma Xuereb (Dionne Tonna 76’).

Coach Pierre Brincat Scorers Daniel Sofer 51’, Rachel Shelina 60’

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Malta Football Association

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MALTA 0 DENMARK 5 Malta’s Women National Team lost their second qualification match from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualification Group. This time it was a 5-0 home defeat to Denmark.

Malta

Xuereb Janice, D’agostino Rebecca, Zammit Charlene, Farrugia Stephania, Zahra Gabriella (89’ Chircop Rebecca), Parnis Kimberly, Sammut Antoinette, Cuschieri Rachel (46’Tonna Dione), Carabott Ylenia, Theuma Dorianne, Buttigieg Nicole(62’ Xuereb Emma) Substitutes Farrugia Maria Assunta, Debono Mandy, Pace Natasha, Borg Brenda, Coach Pierre Brincat DENMARK 5 (3) Cecille Sorensen, Line Roddik, Line Jensen, Janni Arnth, Stine Pederson (Karoline Smidt Nielsen 60 min), Sanne Troeisgaard Nielsen (Annika Hansen 72 min), Theresa Nielsen, Nanna Christiansen (Mie Jans 79 min), Pernille Harder, Nadia Nadim, Johanna Rasmussen Coach Nils Nielsen

Women’s World Cup Qualifying Group

MALTA LOSE 0-5 to strong Denmark team Though the hosts tried hard to keep up with the pace and their tactical shape throughout, the match was dominated by the visitors who led 3-0 by the halfway mark.

N.S. Trouslegaard opened the scoring after just 6 minutes from the start of the match, with N.Nadim and P. Harder netting the other goals before the break.

Nadim got her second on 66 minutes for K. NIelsen Smidtto to grab the fifth goal for the Danes four minutes form the end.

Photo © Dominic Aquilina

Malta Football Association

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali | 24.11.2013

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UEFA Women’s

Malta’s Under 19 team was drawn to play in Group 7 along with hosts Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Czech Republic and Romania. The qualification matches will be played between the 13th and 18th September 2014.

The draw, conducted by UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti, was made by last season’s England captain, Sherry McCue, who received the Fair Play prize for that event on her team’s behalf.

The 11 group winners and the ten runners-up with the best records against the sides first and third in their section will join the three top seeds – Germany, England and France – in the elite round. Seven teams will eventually qualify for the finals in Israel, alongside the hosts.

DRAWS

2014/15 QUALIFYING DRAW Group 1: Group 2: Group 3: Group 4: Group 5: Group 6: Group 7: Group 8: Group 9: Group 10: Group 11:

Spain, Iceland, Croatia, Lithuania Denmark, Ukraine, Cyprus, Azerbaijan Norway, Scotland, Poland, Albania Italy, Wales, Turkey, Kazakhstan Netherlands, Serbia, Faroe Islands, Latvia Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Montenegro Czech Republic, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malta Portugal, Russia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Belarus Belgium, Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia Finland, Northern Ireland, Greece, Georgia Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria

Malta Football Association

The 2014/15 UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifying round draw has taken place in Nyon, featuring 44 of the total 48-team entry.

UNDER 19 CHAMPIONSHIP

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U*Bet FA trophy

KERCEM AJAX

the only survivors from Gozo Kercem Ajax are the only Gozitan team to qualify with the last sixteen of this season’s U*BET FA Trophy. Kercem Ajax thrashed Second division Mdina Knights 5-1 in one of sixteen, third round matches played in the last week of November.

Ten teams out of the 12 Premier clubs are also through. The other five teams in the last sixteen are First Division teams. The fourth round matches will be played from the 18th to the 22nd of January. This round features three direct encounters between Premier Division teams Floriana vs Naxxar Lions, Valletta vs Mosta and Qormi vs Tarxien Rainbows.

RESULTS & FIXTURES 4-1 1-0 3-1 3-1 6-1 2-1 2-5 2-1 4-1 0-1 0-6 3-0 1-0 1-3 1-0 (aet) 1-5

4th Round matches St Andrew’s vs B’Kara

Kercem A. vs Rabat A.

Hibs vs Pieta H.

Gzira U. vs St Georges

Floriana vs Naxxar L.

Qormi vs Tarxien R.

Sliema W. vs Balzan

Valletta vs Mosta

The 4th Round matches will be played between 18th and 22nd January 2014

Malta Football Association

B’Kara - Vittoriosa S. Tarxien R. - Mellieha Sliema W. - Zebbug R. Valletta - Melita

Hibs - Senglea A.

Mosta - Lija A.

B’Bugia - Balzan

St Andrews L. - San Gwann Floriana - Victoria H. Pembroke A. - Gzira U. Siggiewi - St Georges Naxxar L. - Gudja U. Pieta H - Mqabba

Sirens - Rabat A.

Qormi - SK Victoria W. Mdina K. – Kercem A.

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Malta’s World Cup qualfying group B return match against the Czech Republic at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium on the 11th October marked a milestone in Michael Mifsud’s career as it was his 100th cap for his country

ACE SCORER LANDMARK MATCH FOR

MICHAEL MIFSUD The Maltese prolific scorer, now playing for Melbourne Heart FC in Australia, is our leading scorer on the international stage with 39 goals from 102 matches as he marked his 100th game with a goal in a 4-1 defeat against the Czechs.

Every time Michael steps on the field of play there are expectations that his statistical scoring readings will keep improving. These records, astonishingly, have put our goleador alongside some other well-known top-scorers who are still active.

The figures are remarkable if we keep in mind that modern day attackers have to face tight defences.

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Moreover, it is pertinent to note that Mifsud plays for a small country which invariably finds it difficult to score against opposing rearguards from stronger countries.

His 0.38 goals per match – more than one goal in every three matches - compares very well with the average of great current scorers from other countries at international level.

His career which started with Sliema Wanderers, his home town club, took him to Kaiserslautern in Germany, Coventry City, England, Lillestrom (Norway) and back to Malta where his last playing stint was with Valletta.

All the Maltese, especially the football followers, will certainly hope for more goals from this player. That would put him closer to the 40-mark threshold and a place in the top six current international goalscorers.

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PLAYER PROFILE Born 17th April 1981 Age 32 Club Melbourne Heart FC Position Forward International Debut 10th Feb 2000 - Home vs Albania Appearances 102 Goals 39

Date Venue Competition

25-Apr-2001 Ta’ Qali WC Qualifier 14-Nov-2001 Corradino Friendly 9-Feb-2002 Ta’ Qali Rothmans T’Ment 13-Feb-2002 Ta’ Qali Rothmans T’Ment 17-Apr-2002 Ta’ Qali Friendly 20-Nov-2002 Levkosia EC Qualifier 30-Apr-2003 Ta’ Qali EC Qualifier 10-Sep-2003 Antalya EC Qualifier 31-Mar-2004 Ta’ Qali Friendly 18-Aug-2004 Toftir Friendly 13-Oct-2004 Sofia WC Qualifier Ta’ Qali EC Qualifier 2-Sep-2006 17-Oct-2007 Ta’ Qali EC Qualifier 21-Nov-2007 Ta’ Qali EC Qualifier 26-Mar-2008 Ta’ Qali Friendly 30-May-2008 Graz Friendly 12-Aug-2009 Ta’ Qali Friendly 18-Nov-2009 Corradino Friendly 3-Mar-2010 Ta’ Qali Friendly 11-Aug-2010 Ta’ Qali Friendly 4-Jun-2011 Piraeus EC Qualifier 10-Aug-2011 Ta’ Qali Friendly 2-Sep-2011 Ta’ Qali EC Qualifier 6-Sep-2011 Ta’ Qali EC Qualifier 29-Feb-2012 Ta’ Qali Friendly 2-Jun-2012 Luxembourg Friendly 14-Aug-2012 Serravalle Friendly 7-Jun-2013 Yerevan WC Qualifier 11-Oct-2013 Ta’ Qali WC Qualifier

19-Nov-2013 Ta’ Qali Friendly

Opponent Score Goals

Iceland 1-4 1 Canada 2-1 1 Jordan 2-1 1 Moldova 3-0 1 Azerbaijan 1-0 1 Cyprus 1-2 1 Slovenia 1-3 1 Israel 2-2 1 Finland 1-2 1 Faroe Islands 2-3 1 Bulgaria 1-4 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-5 1 Moldova 2-3 1 Norway 1-4 1 Liechtenstein 7-1 5 Austria 1-5 1 Georgia 2-0 2 Bulgaria 1-4 1 Finland 1-2 1 Macdonia 1-1 1 Greece 1-3 1 Cenral African Rep. 2-1 2 Croatia 1-3 1 Georgia 1-1 1 Liechtnestein 2-1 2 Luxembourg 2-0 2 San Marino 3-2 2 Armenia 1-0 1 Czech Republic 1-4 1 Faroe Islands 3-2 1

Malta Football Association

MICHAEL MIFSUD’S GOALS FOR MALTA

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UEFA STUDY GROUP IN SCOTLAND

GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL From Monday 28th to Thursday 31st October 2013 a group of administrators and coaches from the Technical Centre and several nurseries traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to participate in another UEFA Study Group with Grassroots Football as the main theme.

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teams Hibernians FC and Heart of Midlothian FC. Later in the evening, they were present, at Easter Road, for a clash between the two teams in the Scottish Cup Quater Finals round.

Besides these, they attended also for theoretical and practical sessions at two regional clubs, Spartans FC and Broxburn Utd plus a very interesting visit to St Augustine School of Sports.

The Study group included also participants from Iceland and Faroe Islands. All delegations presented power point presentations on Grassroots Activities in their respective countries and shared all experiences. As with other UEFA Study Groups, this was another good experience of best practices for our participants to bring over and disseminate in their nurseries. Fr. Hilary

Tagliaferro, YFA Chairman, formed part of this coherent group of participants hailing from all sectors of our Grassroots Football.

Last September the Technical Centre participated also in a Study Group re Elite Football in Turkey. There too,the group was made up of Staff coaches and coaches from the nurseries.

Malta Football Association

The tightly packed programme presented our participants with a cross section of grassroots activities being carried out in Scotland by its National Association through a system of Financing called Cash Back. They were also, shown around the premises of the two main Scottish Premier Division

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MFA REFEREES’ INSTRUCTOR

FA ADVANCED COURSE

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IN ENGLAND

MFA Referees’ Instructor Alexander Arena attended an FA Advanced Course at the National Football Centre, St. Georges Park, Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England after successfully completing a Foundation Course a year ago.

The course offers international participants who have a responsibility to provide referee education in their respective countries, all the information, ideas and updates on referee education and training; the theory and practice of referee education in both inside and outside activities; and enables participants to work in small groups planning and running teaching sessions, under the leadership of a group tutor.

Throughout the course feedback is offered to the participants and a development plan is generated.

The other referees’ instructors attending the course come from Bulgaria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Iraq, Nigeria, Qatar, Rwanda, Seychelles and United Arab Emirates. The participants attended the England vs Poland World

Cup qualifying match at Wembley Stadium and the Premier League match Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion.

The Presentation of Certificates was made during a dinner which concluded the course.

Malta Football Association

The seven day intensive course includes various essential topics for teaching and learning, such as preparation, planning, presentation and facilitation techniques, leading and managing groups, the power of quality feedback, the theory of practical training and the concept of coaching referees.

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FOR REFEREE OBSERVERS

“We cannot have good match officials without well-trained referee observers”, stated Director of Refereeing Adrian D. Casha at the introduction of a refresher course for referee observers organised by the Malta FA Refereeing Department at its own quarters in Ta’ Qali.

Recent teaching material received from FIFA and UEFA was amongst the teaching resources used to ensure that the referee observers received updated information about the interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game, as well as the latest guidelines how to assess match officials.

A new referee observer report was introduced for BOV Premier League and Division 1 matches. The report is more detailed and is identical to UEFA Referee Observer Reports. Details about the new marking system for additional assistant referees and 4th Officials were also given to the participants.

Development Officer Victor Mintoff lectured participants about the impact of match situations on the referee observer’s assessment mark, while Adrian D. Casha updated the participants with the latest interpretations of the Laws of the Game, mainly recognition of challenges, denial of obvious goal-scoring opportunities vs stopping a promising attack, handball, use of advantage and offside.

The participants were also advised that as happens with match officials, referee observers are now being categorised according to their knowledge, experience, performance and commitment.

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Malta Football Association

REFRESHER COURSE

In line with the UEFA Convention requirements, the referee observers’ technical knowledge was tested by a Laws of the Game Trivia Quiz and a Video Test to determine the correct decision and possible disciplinary sanction of various match situations.

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FRANCO CACHIA AMONGST UEFA’S

TOP INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL REFEREES FIFA Futsal Referee Franco Cachia has been included amongst UEFA’s Top 31 International Referees short-listed for EURO 2014 taking place in Belgium from 28 January to 08 February 2014.

Between 12th to 14th November, Franco Cachia joined Europe’s best Futsal Referees in Ghent, Belgium, for a 3 day intensive course to prepare the match officials for UEFA Futsal EURO 2014, providing them with the latest technical instructions to enable them to reach a uniform interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game.

Participating referees were required to pass the full FIFA Fitness Test being held on Wednesday 13th November.

This test was under the supervision of members of the UEFA Referees Committee and their representatives.

Franco Cachia’s participation is the result of long years of commitment and dedication towards refereeing, and his selection amongst Europe’s best International Futsal Referees is undoubtedly a fitting reward for his consistency in first class refereeing, both locally and abroad.

Prior to his departure to Belgium, Franco Cachia remarked that: “I will do my best to keep the name of my country, my association and refereeing in Malta as high as possible.

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Photo © Dominic Aquilina

I know that I am not there yet and that I need to continue working hard. The tremendous support received by the Malta FA Refereeing Department and my colleagues enhances my motivation and gives me the strength to be at my very best.”

It goes without saying that Franco Cachia is making a name for himself, for the Malta FA and for our country.

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Malta Football Association

DISTINGUISHED VISITOR AT MFA TRAINING GROUNDS

JAVIER ZANETTI

The long-serving Argentinian midfielder, whose love story with Inter started in 1995, was recently the guest of Inter Club Malta whose president John Zammit expressed his extreme satisfaction at being able to welcome such a distinguished visitor to Malta.

During his visit, Zanetti, accompanied by his wife, met a host of Inter fans who could not hide their admiration for such an accomplished footballer and an affable person both on and off the field.

The MFA took the opportunity to invite the player to tour the training grounds at the Ta’ Qali Complex, an occasion which enabled him to meet one of the MFA coaches Sergio Soldano, a compatriot and a close friend of the Inter midfielder.

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Zanetti was welcomed at the MFA grounds by Chief Executive Officer, Bjorn Vassallo, vice-president Chris Bonett and some of the MFA personnel

When a footballer of the calibre of Javier Zanetti pays a visit to the Malta Football Association’s training grounds at Ta’ Qali, the news deserves more than just a mention in the media and more so in the association’s website. at the Technical Centre. Vassallo and Bonett both showed their appreciation at the player’s very favourable comments on the association’s facilities and its technical structure.

There was also time for the player to visit the MFA Academy 1998 boys and the U-17 national team taking part in the UEFA Tournament. Zanetti had words of encouragement for the boys, saying that like them he used to play on primitive pitches and in the streets in his native country before moving on to a small club, Banfield, in Argentina and later called up to play for Inter.

He said that his most pleasant and biggest experience in life was when he helped his Italian team win the Champions League prize after Inter beat Bayern Munich in Madrid in 2010 . He, as captain, was able to lift the coveted cup amid his colleagues’ joy. He told the boys that his story is like their story and encouraged them to dream on!!!

Indeed, wise words from a high-profile but unassuming footballer which should spur our youths towards attaining higher goals in their football career and holistic development.

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DIRECTOR OF REFEREEING

ATTENDED UEFA CORE COURSE IN NYON

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Director of Refereeing Adrian D. Casha during the month of October participated in the Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE) 21st Introductory Course, held at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Malta Football Association

The aim of these UEFA Refereeing courses is to prepare the next generation of international referees. Adrian D. Casha has already been entrusted with international trios from Bulgaria and Luxembourg in 2012. At this year’s course he was responsible of coaching refereeing trios from the Republic of Ireland and Moldova.

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Stephen Grima, Head of Coach Education within the MFA Technical Centre was invited

by UEFA to deliver a presentation on the theme ‘Promoting a Best Practice of Learning Philosophy’. The workshop was held in Budapest in October and was attended by over 200 participants from all UEFA member countries and representatives from FIFA and other football confederations. When tackling the subject Malta’s representative was joined by those from England and host country Hungary.

STEPHEN GRIMA’S

PRESENTATION ON LEARNING PHILOSOPHY IN UEFA COACH EDUCATION

WORKSHOP IN HUNGARY

Grima dealt with how an LTAD philosophy was embarked upon to ensure that dividends are reaped at the right time, thus helping players to develop their potential. It was argued that many regard learning as being more a matter of understanding, application and players co-constructing knowledge, skills and attitudes with their coaches rather than mere memorisation and reproduction.

As a result the major learning theories that guide coaching were mentioned.

Among these were communities of practice, constructivism, experiental and transformational learning, growth mindsets and the conscious competence model and how these are helping coaches to produce more effective training sessions.

In particular, each learning theory was shown how it was being put in practice and some examples were given such as the mentors who are supporting the coaches in the coaching courses and how coaches are creating communities of practice through the group work that they have developed, thus ensuring that they do not only teach what to learn but also how to learn and that the coaches are now better prepared to be lifelong learners in the game.

The coaching session itself was delved into and it was shown how coaching is being done more in and through the game so that they achieve more transfer of learning through realitybased coaching. It was emphasised that through differentiation, coaches are managing to make each individual player progress through his zone of proximal development so that they are more concerned about teaching and less about judging and failing players.

It was also shown how coaches use outcomes to be the drivers of learning so that they can help each player feel that he/she is aware of his/her own learning.

Coaches need to believe in players and make them move up the ladder at their own pace, while still setting high standards for their players.

During this workshop, Sir Alex Ferguson was interviewed by the Ioan Lupescu who is the Chief Technical Officer of UEFA. Recognition by UEFA through a letter of thanks from Monica Namy, Football Education Event Specialist, was sent to Stephen Grima in appreciation of his excellent contribution during the workshop.

Malta Football Association

While it was contended that all facets of the game are important during different instances, the need was felt to develop a player who can make the right decisions in as short a time as possible.

To do so coaching has to be directed towards the methodology question.

Players need to be taught how to come up with solutions and be responsible for their own learning rather than being presented with solutions which they are required to replicate.

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MFA INTEGRITY OFFICER

AT FIFA/INTERPOL WORKSHOP Franz Tabone, MFA Integrity Officer, was invited to participate and share experiences at the FIFA/Interpol Regional Workshop, “Tackling Match-Fixing and Corruption in Football”, held in Lubljana, Slovenia on 24 – 25 September 2013.

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This Workshop was held specifically for East European countries whose FA, League, Players Association and Referees Association representatives together with Law Enforcers and Government representatives participated in this highly informative event.

Interpol Consultant, Stuart CameronWaller, facilitated the Workshop, with presentations from David Graham , Interpol Training Officer, describing the global picture. Norman Kietzmann from FIFA Early Warning System explained how the system works.

Dr Anja Berninger, Sports Lawyer, and Claudio Marinelli, Detective Interpol Rome, dealt with the establishment of good governance and ways for football associations to

conduct internal proceedings and optimal communication. Co-operation between football associations and law enforcement was one of the main topics during this session.

Franziska Hoberg from FIFA Security Department identified good practice methods and ways of preventing corruption in football.

Emphasis was made on the importance of education in this very difficult scenario which demands that cooperation of all stakeholders in football is imperative to tackle criminality at large.

An activity which the Malta Football Association embarked upon some time ago and which is being promoted primarily by the marketing department especially amongst the younger generation is the National Stadium tours.

STADIUM TOURS ARE GAINING IN POPULARITY

The ultimate objective is to attract more people to watch football and to help them perceive the various amenities available at the stadium and the surrounding complex. Through this familiarisation activity a love for the game is being generated, apart from the fact that the public is made aware of certain recreational and fitness facilities that are available at the Ta’ Qali Football Complex.

Stadium tours have become more and more popular among the schoolchildren and groups of pupils from several government, private and church schools visit the stadium. These tours, besides being educational, serve to create an awareness of the MFA set-up and the organisation behind its competitions.

The number of boys and girls visiting the Stadium has increased steadily over the months. Interest in these tours is growing and being re-ignited continually. With the start of the new scholastic year, the programme of visits during the latter part of October and the month of November was somewhat extremely busy.

Reservations for group tours of the National Stadium can be made by contacting norman.saliba@mfa.com.mt Malta Football Association

The association has long felt the need that unless the central infrastructure which includes the National Stadium with its ancillary amenities is open to the public as part of a reconnaissance exercise, the ‘home of football’ in Malta remains a distant edifice in the eyes of many.

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COLLABORATION BETWEEN An initiative for collaboration between the Malta Football Association, the Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) and other representative bodies, M.U.S.C. and E.S.N., was announced during a Press Conference held at the University Campus.

Norman Saliba, MFA Head of Marketing, addressed the Press Conference. He said “this initiative is another in the series of activities held by the MFA during these last couple of years in a campaign aimed at creating further awareness of our national teams. The campaign is taking representatives from the various categories of the national football teams to primary and secondary schools (both state and private), football nurseries as well inviting the general public for an open training session, and utimately organising stadium tours for school children.’

Saliba added that these initiatives were backed up by a number of attractive ticket incentives that were put on offer for matches of our senior team. Amongst other such incentives there were free tickets for the South Stand for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Latvia, discounts to those who bought tickets for the Malta vs Greece match from this same competition, when tickets were bought on Premier League match days from the stadium, the issue of the GOAL CARD prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the Loyalty Discounted Block Ticket for the two home matches against Denmark and Bulgaria, and needless to mention, free entrance of youngsters from local football nurseries for every home international match.

This time round University Students were given a 20% discount on tickets at the South Stand for Friday’s World Cup qualifier between Malta and the Czech Republic if these tickets were bought on the campus.

The MFA’s Head of Marketing said that the association’s investment in the technical aspect of the game is starting to reap fruit, and recent performances by our senior national team are definitely improving.

‘We have gone from a time when local fans would have left the stadium in disappointment because of the team’s dismal performance, to a time where fans are ending up disappointed as was the case in our recent matches, because the team was unlucky not to have obtained positive results.

Improvement, however, still needs to be sustained by sound support from the fans. And this is the reason why we are still working on furthering greater awareness,’ the MFA Head of Marketing added.

Norman Saliba concluded with a mention of the numerous international commitments of our national teams until the end of the current season, with the highlights being the senior team’s final matches from the 2014

FIFA World Cup Qualifers and the unique opportunity for our Under 17 side to participate in a UEFA Competition Finals which will be held in Malta in May 2014.

President Thomas Bugeja explained that KSU was very happy to embark on this collaboration with MFA together with MUSC and ESN, as part of its holistic plan to continue promoting sports on campus. This collaboration would see the KSU office become an official ticket point of sale for MFA tickets, with a special price of 8 euro on tickets for the South Stand for students buying the tickets from the said premises.

KSU continued to emphasise the importance of investment in sports facilities, to ensure that the University of Malta has the student facilities it deserves, not only for the benefit of local students, but also to make the University of Malta a more attractive University for potential foreign students. In conclusion, KSU hoped that this initiative would prove to be successful as a starting point with greater collaboration between KSU and the MFA, as part of its holistic strategy for sports on Campus which also included the setting up of a University of Malta futsal team in the near future.

Mr. Louis Agius speaking on behalf of South End Core said that he considers this as a revival of old acquaintances since it was a similar type of collaboration that gave birth to S.E.C. at this same venue. Agius stated that S.E.C. will be looking at the University Campus as being the prime ticket office for its members to buy tickets for Malta’s international match against the Czech Rep. and will play an important role in the pre-match activities which KSU, MUSC and ESN will be organising at the University Campus.

At the end of the Press Conference Norman Saliba (MFA - Head of Marketing) presented a signed national team shirt to KSU President Mr. Thomas Bugeja.

Malta Football Association

MFA & KSU

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NEW FACILITIES

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FOR SENGLEA ATHLETIC FC

BOV Second Division club, Senglea Athletic FC, recently had a courtesy visit by Norman Darmanin Demajo, President of the Malta Football Association and Dr. Stefan Buontempo, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Innovation at Ground C in Corradino land given for development by the Government.

The work includes the restructuring of the dressing rooms, stands , Reserves Benches and synthetic pitch . New fencing and new flood lights will be installed.

Dr . Buontempo also praised the work being done by the MFA and claimed that the Government will continue to work and invest for local sports in the coming years.

Darmanin Demajo praised the work done by the Government for reallocating this ground to a local club to built another sport facility where children can practice their favorite sport. “ It is a great pleasure to invest in another pitch . Now this local club must bring up ideas of how to support this investment and generate money from it . “ said the MFA President.

Malta Football Association

They were welcomed by Benny Casha , President of Senglea Athletic , who explained the work done so far which is expected to become a direct investment from the Malta Football Association.

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MALTA

AN INTEGRAL PART OF FARE ACTION INITIATIVE

The 2013 FARE ACTION week activities kicked-off on Tuesday, 15 October, heralding a two-week period in which football makes a stand against discrimination and celebrates diversity.

The action week is the biggest event of its kind in Europe and unites fans, minority groups, activists and grassroots groups with players, clubs, leagues and football federations in a united message against all forms of discrimination on and off the pitch.

Over 270 groups have been awarded grants to support activities that will include stadium choreographies, tournaments, debates, flash-mobs and other action aimed at tackling discrimination through football.

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As in previous years Malta formed an integral part of this global campaign which was also being highlighted on the initiative of UEFA during the

Champions League and Europa League games. Forty matches across Europe are already displaying through the teams taking part a ‘No to Racism’ message.

Our country is proud to participate in the Action Week, an activity in sport with a social message that brings unity among all people of different colour and creed and seeks to find new solutions to combat discrimination.

Players of Hibernians and Floriana involved in a BOV Premier League match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium wore T-shirts for the FARE Action occasion.

Yes, Football reflects a message of unity and inclusiveness, and Malta, through its Football Association is part of this continental and global propagation of noble principles.

Malta Football Association

‘We are Football People’ is the message which goes resounding through hundreds of activities in many countries all over Europe and in the continents of Africa, South and North America on 24 October.

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Malta Football Association Sponsorship structure 2013 - 2014 Main Sponsors - Domestic Competitions

Official Sponsor of the National Leagues

Official Sponsor of the U*BET F.A. Trophy

National Teams Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor of the National Teams

Kit Sponsor of the National Teams

Gold Sponsor of the National Teams

Other Sponsors & preferred commercial partners

Preferred Commercial Partner

Official Courier Service Provider

Preferred Commercial Partner

Official Energy Drink Supplier for the National Team

Preferred Commercial Partner

Official Wine Supplier for MFA events

Preferred Commercial Partner

Scoreres 7’, 48’ Dorianne Theuma, 17’Ylenia Carabott, 45’ Sophie Maurer, 60’ Macahado Da Silva

Malta Football Association

International Matches Commercial Rights Holders

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2.

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3.

DONATION

OF FOOTBALLS FOR KIDS IN AFRICA AND ARGENTINA A group of volunteers, including co-ordinator Saviour Galea, are currently helping Fr George Grima of the Missionary Movement, ‘Jesus in Thy Neighbour’, to build schools and homes for the poor and disabled children in Kenya and Ethopia.

initiative.

The association is also helping Sergio Soldano’s former school in Argentina in the donation of footballs and shirts.

Soldano is currently one of the MFA’s coaching staff for junior teams.

Malta Football Association

Among the several initiatives by these volunteers is a collection of footballs which is thought to be one of the best gifts one can donate to these children.

As part of its corporate social responsibilty the MFA is showing solidarity with these volunteers and has been in the forefront in assisting in this

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4

6

5

6

7

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CROSSWORD

8

9

10

11

13

12

13

15

16

17

19

18

20

21

23

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14

22

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Across

Down

1 Michael “The ........” Mifsud (8) 6 Mario, 50+ years journalism in Football

and not only (4) 7 Cilia, Sliema Wanderers winger (6) 8 .....zinho, Tarxien Rainbows Brazilian

offensive midfielder (5) 9 Flask, forms part of the Malta Women

national squad (4) 12 Ronaille Calheira, Tarxien Rainbows

Brazilian striker (5) 15 Stephan .. Shaarawy (2) 15 Pedro ... Santos Calcado, ex-Balzan

Youths FC forward (3) 17 Buckle, ex-Hibs stalwart (6) 19 Muscat, Malta and Birkirkara FC midfielder (5) 21 Mizzi, debuted for St. George’s FC in

1949/50 (4) 22 Curmi, Xghajra Tornadoes coach (3) 23 & 24 “…… Kick”, a rule first adopted in

England in 1872 (6) 24 See 23 Across

1 Lolly “Tal-......” Cuschieri, joined Birkirkara

United FC in 1916 (6) 2 Simon, Gzira Utd prolific scorer (5) 3 Okoro ….hukwu, ex-Mosta FC English-

Nigerian striker (4) 4 Nicosia club of Maltese striker

Andre Schembri (6) 5 James Vella ......, a retired FIFA

assistant-referee (6) 10 Mbong, ex-Hibs player who passed away

in June 2013 (6) 11 Attard, Pieta’ Hotspurs FC midfielder (4) 14 Salvinu, ex-Football broadcaster

and referee (6) 15 Pinheiro Sousa, Floriana FC Brazilian

midfielder (5) 16 Adam, Rabat Ajax FC striker (5) 18 Jojo ....nupe, Gzira Utd FC Nigerian

striker (4) 20 Malta played 4 matches in “…stadion”

named after Puskas (3)

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Malta Football Association

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