The rain that poured on the National Stadium during the matches played last Wednesday caused more problems to the already uneven surface.
From MD1 of the YoHealth Malta Premier we have seen the National Stadium pitch worsening week after week. Until we reached a point when matches couldn't be played there during the past weekend. This caused havoc since discussions had to be held so that scheduled matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium causing disruption to the Challenge League calendar.
It's now an open secret that something not normal happened to the National Stadium surface. I think that the MFA has to be clear in this regard and state what caused this. For the past seasons we have witnessed a surface resembling a snooker table but this time around things are much different.
Taking the decision not to play MD7 at the National Stadium was a step in the right direction since in a few days the Stadium will host the Netherlands, Bosnia Herzegovina and also the first historical competitive home match of Hamrun Spartans in the group phase of the Uefa Europa Conference League.
But we must now tackle the elephant in the room. It's useless trying to minimize this problem. The MFA must learn from what happened this year so that come next year we will return back to normal and boast of a pitch of high quality, as after all it has always been.
Adding to this the MPL are facing challenges which at times look like a mountain to climb.
Playing high profile matches in a small stadium like the Centenary makes life more difficult. During the weekend especially on Saturday for the crunch match Hamrun Spartans - Hibernians, the stadium was packed to the rafters. Moreover the VIP area was over the limit with people standing in the staircase and also sitting on the stairs.
Though I understand that it is not easy to fit all accredited persons in a much smaller area, it is of utmost importance that when maximum occupancy is reached the gates are closed.
On the positive side is the quick action taken from such situations. For the Sunday matches, knowing also that Valletta were one of the teams involved, the set up was upgraded and more organized. Well done to those who headed the advices and took immediate action.
The Centenary Stadium hosted five matches in a day, I think an unprecedented feat not locally but internationally. But the jam packed schedule also resulted in Tarxien R. - Valletta match kicking off fifteen minutes late.
It is now becoming more evident that the need of a new stadium that can host Premier League matches is something that has to be put as the first item on the Agenda.
A WORD FROM THE PROTAGONISTS
'The pitch made a big difference'
- Giacomo Modica, Hamrun Spartans FC coach
'The interpretation of the game was next to perfect. The players attacked the spaces and were very good on the ball.' These were the first comments given by Hamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica after his side beat Hibernians in the main match of MD7. The Italian gaffer added. 'Apart from the first few minutes we never had any problems. And our opponents are a very good side who had scored sixteen goals. But the boys showed maturity and this wasn't an easy game. I also want to add that the pitch made a big difference. We played on an even surface, a far cry from what we played on in the previous games.'
'We played against a very good team'
- Branco Nisevic, Hibernians FC coach
'First of all I want to congratulate Hamrun Spartans for this win. Looking back we were the team that had the first two open chances inside the first minutes of the game.' The first words uttered by a disappointed Hibernians coach after their defeat at the hands of Hamrun Spartans. Nisevic continued. ' I think that they opened the game and at times stretched us. The substitutions also made a difference. Hamrun are a very good team. But we were also good, defended and attacked in an organized manner. But that's the story of the game. We have to see what's left of the squad since we have a lot of players nursing injuries'
CURIOSITIES
v For the match against Hibernians, Hamrun Spartans played with a black armband as a sign of respect after the passing away of Stefan's Sultana beloved daughter Greta. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sultans family during this difficult time.
v For Valletta the game against Tarxien was the third in a row that they came from behind and managed not to lose. It started against Sliema when they drew level in stoppage time and during the week they turned the result in their favour against Mosta winning 4-1 after being a goal down.
v Jake Grech missed his third career penalty last Saturday when Mosta goalkeeper Akpan saved his shot from the spot. But he's got a suċċess rate of 88% having along the way converted 22 penalties.
v Naxxar had a number of negative streaks that after the match against Sliema are no longer in practice. They managed to register the first clean sheet of the season, first win in their seventh match and also found the net after missing out in the previous two matches.
v Mosta are on a run of three consecutive defeats and during their first seven matches they have used the most number of players, 26. They have also got the youngest squad amongst all Premier League clubs.
RESULTS
Hamrun S. - Hibs 2-0
Mosta - Floriana 0-1
Zabbar SP - Gzira Utd. 2-0
M'Xlokk - Birkirkara 0-0
Tarxien R. - Valletta 1-2
Sliema W. - Naxxar L. 0-4
TABLE
Floriana 16
Valletta 15
Ħamrun S. 15
Hibernians 14
Sliema W. 11
M'Xlokk 10
Birkirkara 10
Żabbar SP 6
Tarxien R. 5
Mosta 4
Naxxar L. 4
Gżira Utd. 3
FIXTURES - MD 8
Thursday 2nd October
Centenary Stadium
6.45pm Mosta - Gzira Utd.
9.00pm Tarxien R. - M'Xlokk
Friday 3rd October
Tony Bezzina Stadium
6.45pm Hibernians - Floriana
9.00pm Zabbar SP - Birkirkara
Sunday 5th October
Tony Bezzina Stadium
4.00 pm Sliema W. - Hamrun S.
6.15 pm Naxxar L. - Valletta
CLEAN SHEETS
Ħamrun S. 5
Birkirkara 5
Marsaxlokk 3
Valletta 2
Gżira Utd. 2
Floriana 2
Sliema W. 2
Hibernians 1
Mosta 1
Naxxar L. 1
Żabbar SP 1
Tarxien R. 0
TOP SCORERS
Y. Messias (Valletta) 6
L. Villela (Hibernians) 5
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 4
J. Grech (Floriana) 3
F. Sasere (B'Kara) 3
M. Jah (Floriana) 3
YELLOW CARDS
Birkirkara 24
Tarxien R. 22
Hibernians 19
Mosta 18
Gzira Utd. 15
Zabbar SP 15
Sliema W. 14
Naxxar L. 14
Floriana 13
Valletta 13
Hamrun S. 12
M'Xlokk 10
RED CARDS
Floriana 3
Mosta 3
Birkirkara 2
Zabbar SP 1
Sliema W. 1
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