Floriana, Hibs join Balzan and Hamrun in semifinals

The FXDD Futsal KO semi-finalists emerged this week after a harshly contested quarter final round.  Balzan FC snatched an 8-7 victory after a penalty shootout against Lija Athletics, with the final result after 40minutes playing time ending 4-4.  Lija were undoubtedly a better side than last week’s league encounter against the same Balzan, whilst the latter had Player coach Florin Anton, Cosmin Anton and Glenn Bonello missing. Balzan had futsal veteran Zeljko Ancic returning on the pitch after a long stretch serving as assistant coach to Anton. Until halftime, the game was balanced, with Lija leading one up, but early in the second half, Lija picked up momentum and inflicted a further  three goals to Balzan, with captain Jovica Milijic clearly distinguishing himself.  Lija’s goalie Tano Mallia was also in outstanding mood. With 4 minutes of playing time remaining, and with the score 4-1 in Lija’s favour, Balzan showed their true character and scored one goal after the other to level the score 4-4, with Alexander Ribic scoring the equalizer. Balzan also had Carlos Scicluna sent off after a direct red card, whilst Noel Bray was sent off for Lija after a second yellow card in the final 4-minute drama. Balzan FC had the best out of the penalty shootout. Game ended 8-7.

In another entertaining quarter final played on Tuesday night, Hamrun Spartans overcame a stern test against Second Division side Pembroke.  The latter are also still unbeaten in the FXDD Futsal Second Division League after 8 matches and seem well poised to join the First Division group next year. The game was well balanced throughout and Pembroke also had their good moments in advantage and missed so many chances in front of goal but the experience of Massimo Grima and Gianluca Calabretta for Hamrun, who are also key regular players in the MFA Premier Football League, earned Hamrun a precious pass to the semi-finals with game ending 7-6.

Floriana were the third team to pass to the semi-finals stage although they were missing some key players, overcoming First Division side Qormi FC, 11-5. Qormi are also fighting for promotion to the FXDD Futsal Premier Division, and are currently second placed behind St. Patrick, with equal points to San Gwann.  Floriana returned to winning ways, after a streak of negative results in the FXDD Premier League with captain Kurt Bartolo proving outstanding for his side. Floriana were already 3-0 up in the first four minutes of the game and from then there was no turning back.

In the last game of the quarter final round, it was Hibernians who joined the semifinalists after a tough encounter against neighbours Tarxien Rainbows.  In this keenly contested derby, Tarxien continued to impress playing high quality Futsal. On the other hand, Hibernians, who are passing through a good patch and who are also, like Balzan FC, still unbeaten in the league, possess a compact resilient side which is difficult to beat.  When the result was 4-3 for Hibernians with 12 minutes still on the clock, Tarxien made use of the flying keeper, but this time it was not effective as it was in previous games, and in fact Tarxien conceded a further two goals. Tarxien scored a superb goal by Gabriel Dobre in the final minutes to make the score 6-4.

The FXDD Futsal Knock Out Semifinals between Balzan v Hamrun and Floriana v Hibernians will be played on the 22^nd March 2013  whilst the respective FXDD Futsal Divisions will proceed on 15th January 2013 after a short break for the Christmas festivities and for National Futsal Team commitments. In the meantime FMA would like to wish you all the very best.

Defending Champions Balzan FC regain leadership and Valletta FC win derby

Balzan FC cruised to victory over Lija Athletics, 6-1, overcoming Hibernians at the top of the table. The Balzan-Lija derby has become a classic over the years in local Futsal, with Lija always offering a stern challenge but last Friday’s derby was one way traffic for Balzan against a week Lija side. Two early brilliant goals from Cosmin Anton paved the way for Balzan’s win, with Lija’s Robert Magro hitting the woodwork twice towards halftime. Balzan defended well against Lija’s flying keeper strategy with goalkeeper Rueben Grech in top from. Lija scored a consolation goal in the last few seconds of the game. Both teams will meet again tomorrow in the FXDD Futsal Knock out quarter final.

Earlier, Tarxien Rainbows continued to impress with an easy win over Sliema Wanderers, 7-2. With Romanian duo, Dobre and Raducu back from international duty, Tarxien emerged clearly a better side and opened a 4 -1 goal advantage by halftime. In the second half Sliema pressed more but remained highly erratic in their conclusions. On the other hand, Tarxien counter attacked, with Steve Gambin scoring a beautiful goal for Tarxien.

In the other derby of the week, Valletta emerged winners over Floriana, 4-2.  The citizens forged ahead through William Barbosa, but Floriana scored two goals in succession through Kurt Bartolo and Pio Scriha. William Barbosa and player/coach Kevin Loughborough snatched two goals just before halftime.  The second half offered a more balanced performance until the citizens sealed the derby victory 4-2 with another goal from captain Timothy Forace. With this win Valletta move to a safe place above relegation zone.

Zejtun Corinthians kept up the pace with the League leaders when they won, with the odd goal in a 15 goal thriller against Hamrun Spartans.  The latter were once again unlucky not to get a point out of this match when they hit the post in the final seconds of the game.  Zejtun looked to have secured all 3 points by the 33th minute when the same Corinthians were leading 8-3 however a resilient Hamrun side led by Massimo Grima and Gianluca Galabretta made a strong comeback in the second half reducing the gap to a solitary goal. These were the final FXDD Futsal Premier League fixtures for 2012 as the league games will recommence on the 15th January 2013. On the other hand this week 8 teams will be fighting for a place in FXDD Futsal Knock Out Semi-final.

Balzan FC and Hibernians extend unbeaten run through easy wins

lt was a memorable week for local futsal as the newly set up Futsal Malta Association signed a two year sponsorship agreement with FXDD, leaders in foreign exchange trading. With this sponsorship the Association intends to continue developing and promoting the game focusing mainly on educational programmes for technical staff and administrators as well as introduce Futsal at grass roots level.

The FXDD Futsal Premier League, as it is now called, will continue with its last match week before the Christmas recess, with two significant derbies, Valletta-Floriana on Tuesday and top of table clash Lija-Balzan on Friday.

In the meantime, title hopefuls Balzan and Hibernians, both registered easy wins last week, against Sliema Wanderers and Luxol respectively, to extend their unbeaten runs.

Defending champions Balzan FC opened well against Sliema Wanderers and registered a five goal advantage by half time, 7-2. Once again it was a collective team effort with Cosmin Anton showing clear signs of full integration with the team set up which proved destructive to Sliema’s reargaurd. In second half Balzan player-coach Florin Anton gave more space to his substitutes including Gary Busuttil, son of international football player Carmel Busuttil. The game ended 9-3.

Luxol St. Andrews also proved no match for current leader Hibernians, despite fielding a slightly stronger side with the inclusion of Ilija Milivojsa. Hibs forced a three goal advantage by halftime with no reaction from the Saints. With key player Xavier Saliba sidelined due to injury recovery, Hibs still managed to produce a close to faultless display mastered by the usual Boycho Marev. On the other hand, Simone Montagno’s highly erratic side, paved the way for a crushing defeat which ended 10-3 for Hibs, who reconfirm their top spot this week with Balzan FC just a point behind. the latter have a game in hand.

Tarxien Rainbows earned three precious points against Valletta, despite missing the services of their key international Romanian duo, who received an international call by Romanian Futsal National Team Coach for an international friendly. Barbosa was also missing for Valletta. With both teams fielding a depleted side, it was Tarxien who took the upperhand when they scored a last minute goal through Raul Mora Safort to move to sixth place just one point beneath Floriana. Final score 2-1

Hamrun Spartans offered stern resistance to title contenders Lija Athletics but once again failed to snatch any points leaving them firmly anchored to the last position in the table. Hamrun included Gianluca Calabretta along with Massimo Grima against Lija and as the final score shows, 8-5, the game was fairly balanced with both sides having their good share of ball possession and scoring opportunities.

Upcoming fixtures:

Hibernians outclass Corinthians and go on top

The match of the week was played  in front of one the biggest crowds this seasons. Hibernians FC moved to top spot of the Premier Futsal League this week overtaking leaders Zejtun Corinthians in a direct clash last Friday.  Zejtun also lost their unbeaten run although one must say that this was their first real test.  International Bulgarian national team player, Boycho Marev’s excellent form inspired Hibernians throughout the game tearing the Zejtun rearguard apart with his swift attacks. As time passed by Zejtun lost their usual composure and could only manage to operate on counter attacks which were however finely blocked by Hibs goalkeeper Christian Cassar. Game finished 6-1 for Hibernians.
Earlier, Luxol St. Andrews and Floriana shared the spoils, in an entertaining match.  With the Saints now feeling the relegation pressure, and Floriana clearly not in their usual form due to a number of suspensions, Luxol’s effort saved them a precious point. Final score 3-3 Floriana’s next match will be against their arch rivals Valletta, a game that is generating a lot of interest as it will be the first ever derby amongst these teams in futsal.

Champions Balzan FC hit ten past a helpless Valletta side, despite the inclusion of Brazilian professional duo, William Barbosa and Leonardo Almeida da Silva, with the citizens.  Balzan’s futsal teamwork proved too strong for an inexperienced side like Valletta. .Glen Bonello scored a brace for Balzan, whilst Barbosa scored a consolation brace for the lily whites. The defending champions, like Hibernians, also remain unbeaten, moving to second place one point behind the leaders with one game in hand. Score 10-2

Sliema won their second game this season, overcoming bottom placed Hamrun Spartans, in a 15 goal encounter, ending 9-6. The Sliema team looked more determined and focused under the guidance of their new Italian coach Valerio Causio and managed to ensure full points from this game to move out of relegation zone.  Hamrun included Massimo Grima in their lineup and offered stern resistance and fought back producing a balanced game until half time were the scoreline was 4-4 but it was Sliema that took the upper hand in the second half scoring five goals. Massimo Grima and Sliema’s Omar El Ghadi were in great form, both scoring 4 goals for their respective teams.

The following is a list of next week’s fixtures to be played in Corradino Pavilion as follows: