The past weekend saw the return of the YoHealth Malta Premier with a full programme spread over four days. The crunch matches from the Top Six were played on Saturday and Sunday with the first match being the classic Ħamrun Spartans - Valletta.
This was a return to domestic football after a rather positive international window with Malta getting three points after beating Finland in Helsinki and just missing out against Poland at the National Stadium.
But history was also written on Saturday when for the first time ever in a Malta Premier League match technology was used. The match between Ħamrun Spartans and Valletta saw the introduction of the FVS, the Football Video Support. Though not a VAR system, but from what we witnessed during the matches played so far, the esperiment worked.
There were several calls from respective coaches with different outcomes. But the general opinion about the FVS was a very positive one. But this gets me to a point where hopefully we will use the tools when needed and moreover not rely too much on them.
An incident which crosses my mind and which I am still picturing was during the match between Tarxien Rainbows and Zabbar SP. The match looked heading towards a draw result when in added time Tarxien found the net. The cross came from Quitongo towards Vella who headed home with celebrations enfolding. In the action leading to the cross the Tarxien Rainbows striker was seen shouldering and throwing away Jurgen Pisani off the ball. And this half a metre away from the assistant referee. Just in front of him.
Though to err is human but lets hope that this system is not going to be a technology to rely on and play safe. The MPL have now provided the tools so that the local game will continue progressing and reach new heights. Though a lot is said about local football, we are now in an interesting and challenging period.
Hamrun's first in European football and the recent results for our National Team, who also climbed five places in the FIFA ranking, is symptomatic to where our football is heading. The progress is event but lets keep moving on so that we can make not just steps forward but giant ones. This will help us compete with small and medium countries with our heads held high.
'We suffered but we won'
- Giacomo Modica, coach Hamrun S. FC
'It wasn't an easy match for both teams and I would like to congratulate Valletta for their efforts. Matches like this are very tight'. This was Giacomo Modica's first reaction following his team's win against Valletta. The Hamrun mentor continued. 'My players were very intelligent, both teams wanted the maximum points and though the pitch was a bit heavy bit was a nice match. We suffered also but we won and we made the supporters happy. Now we look forward for the match against Lincoln Red Imps. They are two different competitions but getting a good result today gives us more confidence.'
' An episode decided the match'
- Thane Micallef, coach Valletta FC
'We knew that this was going to be a very tight match to be decided by an episode. And our opponents were wise enough to seize the chance.' These were the first comments given by Valletta coach Thane Micallef following their narrow defeat against Hamrun Spartans. Micallef added. ' All the focus was on this match and we never thought that we have to face the current champions twice in the space of seven days. First it was this match and now we prepare for the quarter final against Hamrun. Every match has its own story and
CURIOSITIES
v For the second consecutive time Valletta suffered defeat. After failing against Zabbar SP, the Citizens had to lower their heads against reigning Champions Hamrun Spartans. For them this was also the first time this season that they failed to score in two consecutive matches.
v After five consecutive League matches Marsaxlokk tasted defeat when they were beaten by Floriana. The latter returned to winning ways after two matches, following the defeat against Hamrun Spartans and the draw against Sliema Wanderers. It was a repeat of the first round score when the Greens won by 2 goals to 1 and incidentally the Seasiders goal also came from an autogoal as was the case on Sunday.
v The match between Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara was the third time this season that the Blues opponent ended up with ten players.In the first round match between the two teams Kurt Zammit was sent off , with the Stripes though with ten man and two goals down, drawing the match. This was the first match of Festa's reign. And Sliema also had superiority against Hamrun Spartans when Semir Smajlagic was sent off in a match which went Sliema's way winning by two goals to nil.
OPENING ROUND TOP SIX TABLE
Floriana 26
Ħamrun S. 25
Valletta 22
Sliema W. 22
M'Xlokk 18
Birkirkara 16
OPENING ROUND BOTTOM SIX TABLE
Hibernians 16
Gżira Utd. 16
Mosta 11
Żabbar SP 11
Tarxien R. 6
Naxxar L. 6
RESULTS - MD 12
Ħamrun S. - Valletta 1-0
Floriana - M'Xlokk 2-1
B'Kara - Sliema W. 1-2
Gżira Utd. - Mosta 1-0
Żabbar SP - Tarxien R. 2-2
Hibernians - Naxxar L. 1-1
NEXT MATCHES - MD 13
Thursday 11th December
Victor Tedesco Stadium
8.30pm Gżira Utd. - Naxxar L.
Friday 12th December
Victor Tedesco Stadium
6.30pm Mosta - Żabbar SP
9.00pm Hibernians - Tarxien R.
Saturday 13th December
National Stadium
4.00pm Floriana - B'Kara
Sunday 14th December
National Stadium
4.00pm Ħamrun S. - M'Xlokk
6.15pm Valletta - Sliema W.
CLEAN SHEETS
Birkirkara 7
Ħamrun S. 7
Marsaxlokk 5
Valletta 4
Floriana 4
Sliema W 3
Gżira Utd. 3
Mosta 3
Żabbar SP 2
Naxxar L. 1
Hibernians 1
Tarxien R 0
TOP SCORERS
L. Villela (Hibernians) 8
Y. Messias (Valletta) 7
M. Jah (Floriana) 6
S. Bah (Sliema W.) 6
P. Emanuel (Mosta) 5
A. Penha da Costa (Gżira Utd.) 5
A. Abubakar (B'Kara) 4
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 4
J. Grech (Floriana) 4
F. Sasere (B'Kara) 3
K. Reid (B'Kara) 3
J. Bonilla (Gżira Utd.) 3
P. Santiago (Zabbar SP) 3
YELLOW CARDS
Birkirkara 40
Hibernians 38
Zabbar SP 35
Tarxien R. 29
Mosta 28
Valletta 27
Gzira Utd. 25
Floriana 24
Naxxar L. 24
Sliema W. 23
Hamrun S. 21
M'Xlokk 20
RED CARDS
Birkirkara 4
Floriana 3
Mosta 3
Tarxien R. 2
Hamrun S. 2
Gżira Utd. 2
Zabbar SP 2
Sliema W. 1
Hibernians 1
M'Xlokk 1
Photo: Malta Premier League Facebook page
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