Heading towards the midway mark of the Opening Round of the YoHealth Malta Premier we can clearly see that interest in this year's edition is by far better than the baptism year. Even the discussion about the league format seems to be something of the past.
Attendances have increased considerably during the first matches. One of the main factors being the return of Valletta who are undoubtedly the best supported club on the island. Together with this there is also the feel good factor brought by the unprecedented qualification of Hamrun Spartans to the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
This snap shot of the current situation bodes well for the rest of the season. Kudos to the Malta Premier League who are working wonders and trying to put the spectator at the forefront of their project. After all a football match with empty stands is a no match. We have witnessed this a few years ago during the pandemic which confirmed that the beautiful game is called so because of the spectators who are the most loyal of all stakeholders.
On the other hand this week saw the MFA publish the prices for the International match against Holland to be played on the 9th October. Though everyone understands that an international match has its own price, a quick search on the web gives some surprising results.
To watch Italy against Norway just a month later at the San Siro Stadium, prices start from as little as €40 ranging to €80 and sitting in the main stands. Obviously there are other more expensive tickets. But this for a crunch tie which will determine automatic qualification to next year's World Cup. Even Wembley Stadium for England's match against Serbia , though more on the high , one can watch this match paying €40 as the lowest price.
And locally we have been hit by prices which makes one rethink if its value for money. The Millenium Stand which normally attracts families is priced at €75 each ticket. So for a family of four having two children under 12 which fall under the category of concessions , they have to fork out €225. And this apart from the add ons like drinks and food which make this family outing to support our National team cost approximately €300.
Though I understand the challenges that the MFA is facing and the sterling work that is being done to put the National Team in a more healthy position, it is important that we strike a balance so that a night out at our National Stadium will be one to remember and not one to forget or regret.
A WORD FROM THE PROTAGONISTS
'A result which showed our character'
- Thane Micallef, Valletta FC coach
'It was a very tight tactical match. We cancelled each other so it was only down to episodes'.
These were the first comments given by Valletta coach Thane Micallef after the match. Micallef added. ' This was a result which showed the character of this squad. When everything seemed lost we gave that extra push which saved our day. It's true we were handed a tought start but the difference between the teams forming this league is minimal. So you can win against any opposition and taste defeat when least expected.'
'The last kick of the ball punished us'
- Paul Zammit, Sliema W. coach
'We were coming from a match of mixed fortunes. We wanted to react after the disappointment against B'kara. And so we did.' That's how he described this match Sliema's coach Paul Zammit.
'The first half was a balanced affair but after we took the lead we expected to be on the receiving end. We managed to whether the storm until the 94th minute. Cause with the last kick of the ball we conceded. I'm sorry for all the players who worked so hard for this match and lost the sight of victory in the last seconds. But we move on.'
CURIOSITIES
During the first half of the match between Hamrun Spartans and Gzira United, the Spartans Italian defender Vincenzo Polito was certified suffering a slight concussion. Though being ordered by the medical staff to leave the field he persisted in continuing playing and when substituted a few minutes later was visibly angry about this decision.
For the first time this season Sliema Wanderers scored a goal in the second half of their match, In their first four matches they scored five goals and all coming in the first forty five minutes.
Hibernians are unbeaten in the last seven matches, five games that they played during this season and two from last season. Another interesting note is that the Paolites have registered a clean sheet for the first time in eight games, obviously also extending to last season.
Hamrun Spartans failed to score for the first time this weekend, a scoreless draw against Gzira United. On the positive side is that this was the third consecutive clean sheet for Henry Bonello after also failing to concede against Mosta and Zabbar SP and Mosta.
RESULTS
M'Xlokk - Floriana 1-2
Hamrun S. - Gzira Utd 0-0
Hibernians - Naxxar L. 2-0
Tarxien R. - Zabbar SP 1-1
Sliema W. - Valletta 1-1
B'Kara - Mosta 2-0
TABLE
Hibernians 11
Floriana 10
Valletta 9
Ħamrun S. 9
M'Xlokk 9
Sliema W. 8
Birkirkara 6
Tarxien R. 5
Mosta 4
Żabbar SP 3
Gżira Utd. 3
Naxxar L. 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES - MD 6
Tuesday 23rd September
6.45pm M'Xlokk - Hamrun S.
9.00pm Tarxien R. - Hibernians
Wednesday 24th September
Tony Bezzina Stadium
645pm Sliema W. - Gzira Utd.
900pm Floriana - Zabbar SP
National Stadium
645pm B'Kara - Naxxar L.
9pm Valletta - Mosta
CLEAN SHEETS
Ħamrun S. 3
Birkirkara 3
Valletta 2
Gżira Utd. 2
Marsaxlokk 2
Floriana 1
Hibernians 1
Sliema W. 1
Mosta 1
Naxxar L. 0
Żabbar SP 0
Tarxien R. 0
TOP SCORERS
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 3
L. Villela (Hibernians) 3
Yuri Messias (Valletta) 3
M. Henrique (Sliema W.) 2
F. Sasere (B'Kara) 2
M. Jah (Floriana) 2
K. Reid (B'Kara) 2
M. Bah (Floriana) 2
P. Cacho (Hibernians) 2
R.Arieas (Floriana) 2
J.Bonila (Gzira Utd.) 2
M. Santos (M'Xlokk) 2
P. Santiago Cejas (Zabbar SP) 2
YELLOW CARDS
Tarxien R. 16
Birkirkara 14
Hibernians 14
Floriana 11
Mosta 11
Valletta 10
Zabbar SP 10
Naxxar L. 10
Hamrun S. 9
Sliema W. 9
Gzira Utd. 8
M'Xlokk 6
RED CARDS
Floriana 3
Mosta 3
Birkirkara 2
Zabbar SP 1
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