Eight Premier League clubs are taking part in the first edition of the AME Cup to be staged between 22 July and 5 August at the Luxol Stadium.
The teams were drawn into two groups yesterday. The first placed two teams after the Group matches will advance to the semifinals to be played on Thursday 2 August.
The 3/4 place match is to be staged on Sunday 5 August, just before the final, which is scheduled to start at 8.30pm.
Eighteen matches will be played in all, 12 in the Group stage, and another six from the semifinals onwards – there will also be matches to determine places 4/5 and 7/8.
All matches are to be played at one venue – the Luxol Stadium in St Andrews.
The draws resulted as follows:
Group A: Qormi FC, Birkirkara FC, Rabat Ajax and Sliema W.
Group B: Balzan FC, Mosta FC, Tarxien R. and Hamrun S.
The opening day Group fixtures are as follows:
Sunday 22 July: Group A 6.30pm B’Kara FC-Sliema W.; 8.30pm Qormi FC-Rabat Ajax
Monday 23 July: Group B: 6.30pm Mosta FC-Hamrun S.; 8.30pm Balzan FC-Tarxien R.
The organisers of the tournament are JPL Sports Events and Luxol Sports.
Louis Agius, on behalf of the organisers, told a news conference yesterday that there will be no draws. If the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, penalties will be taken to determine the winner. Three points will be awarded for a direct win, two for a victory on penalties (one point for the loser) and there will be no points for the losers in a direct defeat.
The sponsors of the tournament include AME Health and Safety, Mark Grima of the Paceville restaurant Canas y Tapas, Hal Mann Vella, Team Sport, Carmelo Abela Ltd, Bistro Café, Convenience Shop, SLS Bathrooms and Old Spice.
Steve Abela, former Sliema W. president, now the boss of first division side St Andrews FC, explained that this should be a highly interesting tournament. He added that there will be no limits on the use of foreign players as well as players undergoing trials with the participating clubs.
Tournament coordinator Tonio Brigulgio said that referees will be provided by the MFA, which is sanctioning the tournament.
There will be trophies for the top scorer as well as for the team with the best Fair Play record.
He added the event should prove to be useful to the clubs taking part as they prepare for the start of the new season.
The organisers also confirmed the participation of Hamrun S. who announced yesterday morning that the first team squad will be undergoing a 10-day training camp in Bulgaria from next Monday.
The Spartans might field a depleted squad in the first match, but were expected to field their best team as they will be back in Malta well in time for their second match.