2017–18 Maltese FA Trophy

The 2017–18 Maltese FA Trophy was the 80th version of the football tournament. It was sponsored by Boost Diesel, which was revealed during the draws of the first, second and third round of the Maltese FA Trophy at the Trophies Lounge in Malta Football Association headquarters in Ta' Qali.[1] A total of sixty–four clubs participated in this season's cup competition.[1]

2017–18 Maltese FA Trophy
Tournament details
CountryMalta
Dates2 September 2017 – 5 May 2018
Teams64
Defending championsFloriana
Final positions
ChampionsValletta (14 Times)
Runner-upBirkirkara
Tournament statistics
Matches played63
Goals scored239 (3.79 per match)

All statistics correct as of 5 May 2018.

Floriana were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the third round by Naxxar Lions in the third round on 2 December 2017. The winners of the trophy were Valletta who won their 14th title following a 2–1 win over Birkirkara in the final. Despite losing the final, Birkirkara earned a place in the first qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, as Valletta had already qualified for the a European competition following their league triumph.[2]

Format

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The Maltese FA Trophy this season was a single elimination tournament between 64 clubs. Matches which were level after regulation advanced to extra time and afterwards to penalties to determine a winner, when needed.[3]

Clubs entering in this round Clubs advancing from previous round
Preliminary round
(10 clubs)
  • N/A
First round
(18 clubs)
  • 5 winners from preliminary round
Second round
(36 clubs)
  • 9 winners from first round
Third round
(32 clubs)
  • 18 winners from second round
Fourth round
(16 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 16 winners from third round
Quarter-finals
(8 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 8 winners from fourth round
Semi-finals
(4 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 4 winners from quarter-finals
Final
(2 clubs)
  • No other entries
  • 2 winners from semi-finals

Schedule

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Round Date(s) Draw date Number of fixtures Clubs
Preliminary round 2–3 September 2017 7 August 2017 5 64 → 59
First round 8–11 September 2017 9 59 → 50
Second round 21–22 October 2017 18 50 → 32
Third round 1–3 December 2017 13 November 2017 16 32 → 16
Fourth round 19–21 January 2018 8 16 → 8
Quarter-finals 17–18 February 2018 22 January 2018 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 28–29 April 2018 23 April 2018 2 4 → 2
Final 5 May 2018 1 2 → 1

Preliminary round

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Five preliminary round matches were played on 2–3 September 2017.[4] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 7 August 2017.[1]

2 September 2017 Nadur Youngsters   4–1Xagħra United  Xewkija
18:00 CEST Brandon Said   18', 49'
Stefan Cassar   23', 48'
Report Johann Bajada   28' Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Andre’ Naudi
3 September 2017 Mellieħa (4) 4–3Munxar Falcons  Ta' Qali
20:15 CEST Bryan Bautista   12', 43'
Jeffrey Gauci   77'
Roberto Sammut   80' (o.g.)
Report Mattias Michael Uzor   14'
Jordi Parnis   16', 39'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu
3 September 2017 Oratory Youths   4–0Ghaxaq (4)Xewkija
18:00 CEST Bartomeu Perello Palou   17' (pen.), 29'
Ralph Ebube Okpokwu   48', 73'
Report Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Daniel Portelli
3 September 2017 Xewkija Tigers   4–1Marsaskala (4)Xewkija
20:00 CEST Thiago Melo dos Santos   9', 76'
Rodney Buttigieg   25'
Joseph George Vella   72' (pen.)
Report Matthew Gauci   81' Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
3 September 2017 Xghajra Tornadoes (4) 4–1St. Lawrence Spurs  Ta' Qali
18:00 CEST Emre Yener   31', 65', 66'
Royter Degiorgio   80'
Report Denis di Maio   34' Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Darko Stankovic

First round

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Nine first round matches were played on 9–20 September 2017.[4] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 7 August 2017.[1]

9 September 2017 Żurrieq (4) 3–1Qala Saints  Mosta
18:00 CEST Gilbert Camilleri   7'
Leontiev Konda   42'
Daniel Zammit   82'
Joseph Buttigieg   30' Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium
Referee: Andrea Naudi
9 September 2017 Ta' Xbiex S.C. (4)1–4 St. Venera Lightnings (4) Mosta
20:15 CEST Riccardo Napoli   38' Luca Bugeja   27'
Eddie Wileman   75', 80', 90+4'
Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium
Referee: Keith Montebello
10 September 2017 Mdina Knights (4)2–3 Mellieħa (4) Ta' Qali
18:00 CEST Samuel Bartolo   16'
Julian Vella   71' (o.g.)
Report Kyle Simiana   14', 50'
Bryan Rene Bautista Navarro   66'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Kurt Saliba
10 September 2017 Victoria Hotspurs   1–0Nadur Youngsters  Gozo
18:00 CEST Elton da Silva   66' Report Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
10 September 2017 Mtarfa (4)1–3 Dingli Swallows (4) Ta' Qali
20:15 CEST Paul Azzopard   9' Report Peter Anoresco   26'
Karl Cilia   73'
Dylan Camenzuli   74'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Joseph Scerri
10 September 2017 Victoria Wanderers  1–4 Xewkija Tigers   Gozo
20:00 CEST Nicolás Abot   84' Report Anthony Attard   17' (o.g.)
Gennaro Hili   45'
Rodney Buttigieg   51'
Thiago Melo dos Santos   81'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
11 September 2017 Xghajra Tornadoes (4) 2–1Msida St. Joseph (4)San Pawl il-Bahar
20:00 CEST Gabriel Bonavia   45'
Ivan Cassar   75' (o.g.)
Report Dylan Agius   31' Stadium: Sirens Stadium
Referee: Shaun Calleja
11 September 2017 Oratory Youths  4–4 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)
Kerċem Ajax   Gozo
19:00 CEST Ralph Ebube Okpokwu   38'
Bartomeu Perello Palou   56'
Joshua Buttigieg   94', 120+1'
Report Ognjen Rolovic   46' (pen.)
Alen Haska   90+1'
Nathaniel Mercieca   117'
Jean Paul Mizzi   120'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
Referee: Alex Johnson
20 September 2017 Għajnsielem   2–2 (a.e.t.)
(8–7 p)
Kirkop United (4)Ta' Qali
19:00 CEST Alberto Xuereb   84'
Shaun Bajada   93'
Neil John Cutajar   22'
Michael Theuma   120+1' (pen.)
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Shaun Calleja

Second round

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Eighteen second round matches were played on 21–22 October 2017.[4] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 7 August 2017.[1] All teams from Maltese First Division and Maltese Second Division entered in the Second round.

22 October 2017 Pembroke Athleta (2)1–3 (a.e.t.) Pietà Hotspurs (2) Hamrun
17:15 CEST Souza   23' Clieve Gauci   88', 99', 119' Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
21 October 2017 Għargħur (3)1–7 Vittoriosa Stars (2) Pembroke
15:00 CEST Charlot Zarb   49' Joseph JoJo Ogunuppe   23'
Obinna Obiefule   35', 44'
Andre Farrugia   58', 90+3'
Cristian Suarez   63'
Armano Leilis   77'
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
21 October 2017 Marsaxlokk (3) 5–0Żabbar St. Patrick (2)Pembroke
17:15 CEST Kenneth Ekezie   8'
Alan Tabone   11', 36', 90'
Cleaven Zammit   88'
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
22 October 2017 Żurrieq (4)1–4 Qrendi (2) Pembroke
15:00 CEST Gilbert Camilleri   76' Shunsuke Nakamura   27'
Dhonatan Santos Da Hora   36', 67'
Camelo Caruana   90' (o.g.)
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
22 October 2017 Gudja United (3) 3–0 (a.e.t.)Rabat Ajax (2)Mosta
15:00 CEST Nicholas Zammit   95', 110'
Jean Claud Cesare   115'
Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium
21 October 2017 Sirens (2)1–3 Żebbuġ Rangers (2) Hamrun
17:15 CEST Darko Medic   75' (pen.) Clifford Gauci   10', 45'
Aleksander Kovacic   47'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
22 October 2017 Xewkija Tigers   5–2Xghajra Tornadoes (4)Gozo
14:00 CEST Joseph Gorg Vella   31' (pen.)
Antonio Claudio Pavlidis Cadu   37', 77' (pen.)
Thiago Melo Figueirido   58'
Milos Stojanovic   90'
Royter Degiorgio   40', 61' (pen.) Stadium: Gozo Stadium
21 October 2017 Fgura United (3)1–4 Qormi (2) Hamrun
15:00 CEST Thomas Grech   78' Tensior Gusman   29'
Julien Salaroli   46'
Lubos Adamec   59'
Ze Lucas Caetano da Silva   83'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
22 October 2017 Mġarr United (3)0–3 Mqabba (2) Mosta
17:15 CEST Paul Chimezie   15', 89'
Tomislav Trebovac   47'
Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium
22 October 2017 Marsa (2)0–4 Santa Lucia (3) Hamrun
15:00 CEST Solano Rodriguez Santiago   33', 63'
Perdomo Sebastian   69', 71'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
21 October 2017 St. Venera Lightnings (4)1–2 Kalkara (3) San Pawl il-Bahar
17:15 CEST Joel Winters   88' Timmy Thomas   31'
Dylan Xuereb   77'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
21 October 2017 Zejtun Corinthians (2) 5–0Dingli Swallows (4)Mosta
17:15 CEST Luis Andre De Melo   6', 16'
Adrian Carabott   21'
Ryan Cauchi   23'
Saturday Nanapere   85'
Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium
21 October 2017 Mellieħa (4)1–2 Swieqi United (3) San Pawl il-Bahar
15:00 CEST Bryan Bautista   85' Roderick Taliana   15' (pen.)
Mirco Vella   45'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
22 October 2017 San Ġwann (2) 2–0St. George's (3)Pembroke
17:15 CEST Mario Andres Artieta Suarez   33'
Joao Claudio Kiala   49'
Stadium: Luxol Stadium
22 October 2017 Victoria Hotspurs   4–0Birżebbuġa (3)Gozo
16:00 CEST Elton Alexandre da Silva   11' (pen.)
Henrique Maciel   84'
Chris Camilleri   89'
Andrea Debrincat   90'
Stadium: Gozo Stadium
22 October 2017 Attard (3)0–2 (a.e.t.) Kerċem Ajax   San Pawl il-Bahar
15:00 CEST Ognjen Rolovic   107'
Alen Haska   110'
Stadium: Sirens Stadium
21 October 2017 Siggiewi (3) 4–2Luqa St. Andrew's (3)Mosta
15:00 CEST Jake Vella   35'
Ian Montanaro   44'
Mauro Busutti   52', 75'
Alan Abdel Rahman   17'
Luke Zahra   56' (o.g.)
Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium
22 October 2017 Melita (2) 3–3 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Għajnsielem  San Pawl il-Bahar
17:15 CEST Toraino Singleton   12', 80'
Luke Micallef   120'
Everton Felipe da Silva   2'
Oscar Guerrero   66', 98' (pen.)
Stadium: Sirens Stadium

Third round

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Sixteen third round matches were played on 1–3 December 2017. The draw for the third and fourth rounds was held 13 November 2017. All teams from Maltese Premier League entered in the Third round.

2 December 2017 Balzan (1) 4–1Gudja United (3)Hamrun
16:15 CEST
  • Bojan Kaljevic   5'
  • Marko Platisa   22'
  • Lecao Alex Da Paixao   43', 59'
Chris Grech   57' Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Emanuel Grech
2 December 2017 Santa Lucia (3)0–5 Birkirkara (1) Hamrun
14:00 CEST
  • Luke Montebello   23', 46', 60'
  • Jake Grech   31'
  • Gianluca Zammit   77'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Darryl Agius
2 December 2017 Valletta (1) 2–0Senglea Athletic (1)Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Saleh Raed Ibrahim   27'
Michael Mifsud   29'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Stefan Pace
2 December 2017 Naxxar (1) 3–1 (a.e.t.)Floriana (1)Paola
16:15 CEST
  • Scott Fenwick   4', 93'
  • Yuri De Jesus Messias   117'
Mario Fontanella   49' (pen.) Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Philip Farrugia
2 December 2017 Hibernians (1) 2–1Victoria Hotspurs  Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST
  • Ferdinando Apap   4' (o.g.)
  • Johann Bezzina   80'
Elton Alexandre da Silva   64' Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Glenn Tonna
2 December 2017 Saint Andrews (1)1–3 Sliema Wanderers (1) Paola
14:00 CEST Kevaun Atkinson   46' Nicolae Milinceanu   49'
Frank Temile   80'
Jefferson De Assis   95'
Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
1 December 2017 Lija Athletic (1) 4–0Kalkara (3)Ta' Qali
18:00 CEST
  • Kooh Sohna Rafael   8', 43', 59'
  • Bello Osagie Abubakar   50' (pen.)
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
3 December 2017 Xewkija Tigers   4–0Vittoriosa Stars (2)Gozo
14:00 CEST
  • Rodney Buttigieg   62'
  • Cadu Antonio Claudio Pavlidis   81', 83'
  • Mario Joseph Vella   90'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
1 December 2017 San Ġwann (2) 3–0Melita (2)Hamrun
20:15 CEST
  • Chavez Flores Daniel   54' (pen.), 84'
  • Jan Tanti   61'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Shaun Calleja
3 December 2017 Qrendi (2) 2–0Qormi (2)Hamrun
16:15 CEST Dhonatan Santos Da Hora   15'
Petar Mrvic   60'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
3 December 2017 Kerċem Ajax   5–1Żebbuġ Rangers (2)Gozo
16:15 CEST
  • Andrew Mizzi   42', 62'
  • Jean Paul Mizzi   44'
  • Ognjen Rolovic   45'
  • Komljenovic Aleksandar   71'
Gomes Rafael Da Silva   59' Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Darko Stankovic
3 December 2017 Marsaxlokk (3)0–3 Zejtun Corinthians (2) Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST Luis Andre De Melo   2', 14', 17' Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
1 December 2017 Siggiewi (3)2–3 (a.e.t.) Pietà Hotspurs (2) Hamrun
18:00 CEST Eman Ciappara   26'
Trayo Grozev   103'
Artiago Roa Juan Manuel   3'
Gabriel Mensah   100'
Jan Busuttil   105'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Paul Toledo
1 December 2017 Mosta (1) 2–1Mqabba (2)Ta' Qali
20:15 CEST Bilbao Zarate Edison David   17'
Tyrone Farrugia   66'
Michael Borg   42' Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
3 December 2017 Gżira United (1)0–1 (a.e.t.) Ħamrun Spartans (1) Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Tiago Indigo Souza de Silveira   100' Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Trustin Cann Farrugia
3 December 2017 Swieqi United (3)0–3 Tarxien Rainbows (1) Hamrun
14:00 CEST
  • Dieye   38', 60'
  • Matthew Brincat   55'
Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu

Fourth round

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Eight fourth round matches were played on 19–21 January 2018. The draw for the third and fourth rounds was held 13 November 2017. In the Fourth Round there were 10 clubs from Maltese Premier League left, 4 clubs from Maltese First Division left and 2 clubs from Gozo Football League left.

19 January 2018 Birkirkara (1) 2–1 (a.e.t.)San Ġwann (2)Ta' Qali
19:00 CEST
  • Fernando Barbosa Pereira   72'
  • Carlos Alberto da Silva   104'
  • Godwin Henshaw   12'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Attendance: 346
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu
20 January 2018 Tarxien Rainbows (1)1–2 Lija Athletic (1) Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST
  • Ricardinho Faria da Silva   27' (pen.)
  • Ousmane Sidibe   51'
  • Erjon Beu   60'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Stefan Pace
20 January 2018 Kerċem Ajax  3–4 (a.e.t.) Qrendi (2) Gozo
15:30 CEST
  • Ognjen Rolovic   29', 51'
  • Alan Haska   84'
  • Julio Cesar Martins Da Silva   58', 74'
  • Dhonatan Santos Da Hora   64' (pen.)
  • Aaron Agius   112'
Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium
Referee: Daniel Portelli
21 January 2018 Hibernians (1) 3–0Xewkija Tigers  Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST
  • Joao Moreira Vitor Rocha   17'
  • Jurgen Degabriele   20', 69'
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Darryl Agius
20 January 2018 Balzan (1) 2–0Naxxar (1)Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST
  • Lecao Alex Da Paixao   82', 90+3'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
21 January 2018 Pietà Hotspurs (2)0–1 Valletta (1) Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Emanuel Grech
20 January 2018 Ħamrun Spartans (1)0–1 Sliema Wanderers (1) Paola
16:00 CEST
  • Goran Adamovic   40'
Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Trustin Cann Farrugia
20 January 2018 Mosta (1)1–2 Zejtun Corinthians (2) Paola
14:00 CEST
  • Leozinho Henrique Ferreira   89'
  • Adam Smeir   37'
  • Johan Castano   90+1'
Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Ishmael Barbara

Quarter-finals

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Four quarter-final matches were played on 17 February 2018. The draw for the Quarter-finals was held 22 January 2018. The round included the two teams from Maltese First Division that were still in the competition: Qrendi and Zejtun Corinthians.

17 February 2018 Qrendi (2)0–3 Birkirkara (1) Paola
14:00 CEST Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee: Emanuel Grech
17 February 2018 Lija Athletic (1)1–3 Balzan (1) Paola
16:15 CEST
  • Aaron Sammut   45'
  • Lecao Alex Da Paixao   11'
  • Ljubomirac Uros   14'
  • Kadu Carlos Eduardo Mendes   83'
Stadium: Hibernians Stadium
Referee:   Indrit Myrtja
17 February 2018 Valletta (1) 2–0Zejtun Corinthians (2)Ta' Qali
14:00 CEST
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Philip Farrugia
17 February 2018 Hibernians (1)0–0 (a.e.t.)
(1–4 p)
Sliema Wanderers (1) Ta' Qali
16:15 CEST Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Matthew De Gabrielle

Semi-finals

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Two semi-final matches were played on 28 and 29 April 2018 at National Stadium, Ta' Qali. The draw for the Semi-finals was held on 23 April 2018. The four clubs left were all from Maltese Premier League. Balzan were the only club remaining in the competition that had never won the Maltese FA Trophy in the past. Both Semi-final matches were Live on TVM2

28 April 2018 Birkirkara (1) 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)
Sliema Wanderers (1)Ta' Qali
16:00 CEST
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
29 April 2018 Valletta (1) 2–1Balzan (1)Ta' Qali
16:00 CEST Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Clayton Pisani

Final

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The final was played on 5 May 2018.

Birkirkara reached their tenth Maltese FA Trophy final having won it five times. Valletta reached their twenty-third final and had won it thirteen times previously.

Birkirkara and Valletta have met together in Maltese FA Trophy final twice before, having previously met in 1999 and 2001. When meeting in the finals, Valletta have both times.

The last time Birkirkara and Valletta met together in Maltese FA Trophy was during the 2015-16 fourth round when Birkirkara beat Valletta by 1–0.

5 May 2018 Birkirkara (1)1–2 Valletta (1) Ta' Qali
17:00 CEST
  • Ognjen Rolovic   87'
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Attendance: 7,011
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant referees: Duncan Sultana & Thomas Debono
Assistant referees: Malcolm Spiteri & Matthew Degabriele
Fourth official: William Debattista

Television rights

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The following matches were broadcast live on TVM2:

Round TVM2 Stadium
Third Round Gżira United vs Ħamrun Spartans National Stadium, Ta' Qali
Fourth Round Hibernians vs Xewkija Tigers
Quarter-finals Valletta vs Zejtun Corinthians
Semi-finals Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers

Valletta vs Balzan

Final Birkirkara vs Valletta

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Veritable BOOST sponsorship for FA Trophy". MFA. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Preliminary Access List 2018/19". Bert Kassies. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  3. ^ "FA TROPHY: Season Rules". scoresway.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Cup". soccerway.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
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