Malta v Portugal 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

SOUTH AFRICA 2010 – FIFA WORLD CUP
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Malta vs. Portugal

6th September 2008@
20.00 hrs.
National Stadium, Ta` Qali

Game Live on Melita Sports

1. General information
2. Support for National Team
3. Match Officials
4. Press Conferences organised by the Malta Football Association
5. Press Conference organised by the Portugal F.A.
6. Accommodation of Teams
7. Training Sessions
8. The National Squads

1. GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE MATCH
(i) Stadium Admission Prices
West ‘B’ VIP (to be sold from MFA offices only): 75 Euro
West A Upper: 25 Euro
West A Lower: 12 Euro
West C Upper: 25 Euro
West C Lower: 12 Euro
Millennium Stand: 8 Euro
North Stand: 5 Euro

Tickets, except West ‘B’ VIP, are available from the following outlets as from Thursday, 29th August 2008:

Geraldu Kiosk –Valletta
Star Tourism – Bugibba
Eros Stationery – Paceville
Teamsport – Iklin
Gym at the Millennium Stand, Ta Qali
All Vodafone Outlets

Tickets will only be available on Match Day from the Stadium selling points prior to kick-off depending on availibility.

(ii) Public Transport

A Public Transport service will be provided for the supporters from City Gate (outside Valletta), direct to the National Stadium at Ta' Qali, starting at 18:30 hrs. Return service from the National Stadium to Valletta at the end of the match starting at around 21.45 hrs.

(iii) Opening of Stadium Gates
The gates at the National Stadium will be open to the public two (2) hours prior to match kick-off - that is at 18:00Hrs.
(iv) Pre-Match Entertainment
Prior to the match, starting at 18.45 hrs., the MFA will be providing entertainment for the public present at the stadium. Mr. Peter Busuttil will be the Master of Ceremonies whilst Mr. Colin Fitz will be the D.J.
Official Souvenir Programme
The Malta Football Association’s Media Department will produce an official Souvenir Programme containing useful information and statistics as well as colour photos about the Maltese National ‘A’ team and the visiting Portugal National ‘A’ Team. This will be on sale on Match Day. Retail price: €2
2. SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM
The Maltese public is kindly encouraged to continue providing the wonderful support of recent for the National Team, bringing with them Maltese flags, banners, streamers, and scarves to cheer on our National team. Those attending the match are kindly urged to sing the Maltese National Anthem prior to the start of the match. The text of the national anthem will be provided at the Stadium.
Let us all show respect to our opponents with our good behaviour in a maximum display of Fair Play at all times.
3. MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee BLOM Bernie Raymond (FIFA & Netherlands FA)
Asst. Referee 1 SIEBERT Nicholas George (FIFA & Netherlands FA)
Asst. Referee 2 VAN ROEKEL Sander (FIFA & Netherlands FA)
Fourth Official NIJHIUS Hendrikus Sebestiaan H. (FIFA & Netherlands FA)
Referee Assessor LOPEZ Fernandez (FIFA & Spain FA)
Commissioner LAUDI Maurizio (FIFA & Italy FA)

4. PRESS CONFERENCES ORGANISED BY THE MALTA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Thursday, 04.09.09 @ 13.30 hrs. @ the Centenary Hall, Ta’ Qali
Saturday, 06.09.08 @ 22:00Hrs @ the MFA Technical Centre, National Stadium.

5. PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE PORTUGAL F.A.
Friday, 05.09.08 @ 16.15 hrs. @ the Conference Hall, MFA Technical Centre, National Stadium, ta’ Qali.

6. ACCOMODATION OF TEAMS
Malta National ‘A’ Team
Corinthia Palace Hotel Attard - Tel: (356) 21440301 Fax: (356) 21465713
Portuguese National ‘A’ Team
Le Meridien Hotel, St. Julian’s - Tel: (356) 23110000 Fax: (356) 23110001
7. TRAINING SESSIONS
04.09.08 Malta @ 17.00 Hrs. - MFA Training Grounds, Ta’ Qali
05.09.08 Malta @ 17.30 Hrs. - MFA Training Grounds, Ta’ Qali
05.09.08 Portugal @ 17.00 Hrs. - National Stadium - This is closed to the public - Open only the Media for 15 mins.
8. THE NATIONAL SQUADS
MALTA NATIONAL ‘A’ TEAM

TECHNICAL STAFF
Mr. Dusan Fitzel - National Coach
Mr. Michael Stritz - Assistant Coach
Mr. Roger Camilleri - Goalkeepers’ Coach
Dr. David Attard - National Team Doctor
Mr. Joseph St. John - Physiotherapist
Mr. Anthony Gambin - Masseur
Mr. Donald Spiteri - Masseur
Mr. Carmelo Gauci - Kit Manager
Mr. Ivan Vella - National Team Secretary

PLAYERS (as on 27.08.08)
Goalkeepers
BORG Omar - Birkirkara
HABER Justin - Sheffield Utd (UK)
HOGG Andrew (Inj.) - Valletta
MUSCAT Mario - Hibernians
Defenders
AZZOPARDI Ian - Sliema Wanderers FC
BRIFFA Roderick - Sliema Wanderers FC
DIMECH Luke - Valletta FC
MIFSUD Josef - Valletta FC
SAID Brian - Sliema Wanderers FC
SCIBERRAS Gareth - Marsaxlokk FC
WELLMAN Stephen - Marsaxlokk FC
SCICLUNA Kenneth - Valletta FC
XUEREB Aaron - Hibernians FC
Midfielders
AGIUS Gilbert - Valletta FC
BAJADA Roderick - Sliema Wanderers FC
BAJADA Shaun - Birkirkara FC
FENECH Ryan - Hamrun Spartans FC
FRENDO Cleven - Valletta FC
MALLIA George - Birkirkara FC
NWOKO Udo - Leixoes (Por.)
PACE Jaime - Marsaxlokk FC
PULLICINO Peter - Marsaxlokk FC
SAMMUT Kevin - Marsaxlokk FC
Forwards
BARBARA Etienne - SC Verl 1924 FC (Ger)
MIFSUD Michael - Coventry FC (UK)
SCERRI Terrence - Hibernians FC
WOODS Ivan - Sliema Wanderers FC
PORTUGAL NATIONAL ‘A’ TEAM

TECHNICAL STAFF
Carlos Godinho – Sports Director
Carlos Queiroz – National Head Coach
Agostinho Oliveira – Coach
José Guilherme – Coach
Fernando Brassard – GK Coach
Onofre Costa – Press Officer
Nuno Campos – Doctor
Henrique Jones – Doctor
Carlos Martinho – Physio
António Gaspar – Physio
Simão Ferreira – Physio
António Gonçalves – Kit Manager
Luis Carrapato – Kit Manager
Bruno Pereira – Kit Manager

PLAYERS (as on 27.08.08)
Goalkeepers
EDUARDO DOS REIS CARVALHO
- SC BRAGA
JOAQUIM MANUEL SAMPAIO SILVA
- SL BENFICA
Defenders
BRUNO EDUARDO REGUFE ALVES
- FC PORTO
FERNANDO JOSÉ SILVA FREITAS MEIRA
- GALATASARAY SK
JOSÉ BOSINGWA DA SILVA
- CHELSEA FC
KEPLER LAVERAN DE LIMA FERREIRA
- REAL MADRID CF
LUIS MIGUEL BRITO GARCIA MONTEIRO
- VALENCIA CF
PAULO RENATO REBOCHO FERREIRA
- CHELSEA FC
RICARDO ALBERTO SILVEIRA DE CARVALHO
- CHELSEA FC
VITORINO GABRIEL PACHECO ANTUNES
- US LECCE SPA
Midfielders
ANDERSON LUIS DE SOUZA
- CHELSEA FC
CARLOS JORGE NETO MARTINS
- SL BENFICA
JOÃO FILIPE IRIA SANTOS MOUTINHO
- SPORTING CP
MANUEL HENRIQUE TAVARES FERNANDES
- VALENCIA CF
RAUL JOSÉ TRINDADE MEIRELES
- FC PORTO
SÉRGIO PAULO BARBOSA VALENTE
- MALAGA CF
Forwards
DANNY MIGUEL ALVES GOMES
- DINAMO MOSCOVO
HUGO MIGUEL PEREIRA ALMEIDA
- SV WERDER BREMEN
LUIS CARLOS ALMEIDA CUNHA
- MANCHESTER UFC
NUNO MIGUEL SOARES PEREIRA RIBEIRO
- SL BENFICA
SIMÃO PEDRO FONSECA SABROSA
- ATLÉTICO MADRID

Call for Nominations: MOC Sports Awards 2008

Call for Nominations: MOC Sports Awards 2008

The MOC Sports Awards 2008 will once again be taking place with a gala event on the 7th December at the Excelsior Grand Hotel. This event recognises Maltese Athletes by way of awarding those athletes who truly deserve and merit recognition for a highly outstanding achievement during the year.

Today the MOC has announced its call for nominations from all National Associations to nominate any person they feel should receive an award for the competition period 1st November 2007 to 31st October 2008. Closing date for nominations is the 1st November 2008.

All sports organisations are encouraged to put in their nominations for this year’s Sport Awards. Athletes/Teams nominated must have obtained a high level technical result in a first class Continental / World or other such high caliber International event organised by the International Federation or a recognised International body of World repute. All entries are to be accompanied by the official result issued by the International Federation of that particular sport or the hosts of the event.

Such events highlight the powerful role that Sports plays; through our athletes attempts, successes and dedication they inspire and show our society how important practicing sport is. Not only this but Sport contributes to the development of young people and the community by promoting positive values, teamwork, respect and fairplay.

Established in 2001, the MOC Sports Awards are the premier recognition event for sporting excellence. The Awards fall into the following categories: Platinum Category, Gold Category, Silver Category, and Bronze Category. Nominees for these awards will be announced by the 23rd November 2008. Winners will be announced at the official gala awards ceremony to be held on the 7th December.

Submissions should be sent to: The Chairman, MOC Sports Awards, Maltese Olympic Committee, National Pool Complex, M.T. Spinelli Street, Gzira.

Futsal Tournament on Melita Sports

The 1st edition of the Sportika Gozo Futsal Tournament was launched by Mr. Alex Falzon and Mr. Jonathan Pisani at a Press Conference held on Monday 28th July 2008 at Corradino Sports Pavilion. Mr. Alex Falzon announced that The Sportika Gozo Futsal Tournament will start on the 29th August and end on the 31st August. During this three-day event 16 teams will be competing, divided in four groups followed by a knock out stage. The tournament which will be played indoors at the Victoria Sports Complex in Gozo will also be aired on a delayed basis on Melita Sports

A €800 cash price will be awarded to the winning team whilst the runners up will be awarded €200 in cash. Trophies will also be awarded. Prizes will also be given to the Best Player, Top Scorer, Fair play and Best Goalkeeper. The trophies and cash prizes will be presented on Sunday to the winners by Hon. Minister for Gozo Giovanna De Bono.

Mr. Jonathan Pisani, organiser explained how the Futsal game in Malta grew over the past few years with over 90 teams competing in the MFA league divided in 4 divisions and the establishment of the national Futsal team. Mr. Jonathan Pisani also stated that the national team is about to play two friendly matches against England and France. The 1st edition of the Sportika Gozo Futsal Tournament will introduce this game on our sister island were five a side football is already very popular. During the three day Sportika Gozo Futsal Tournament, a mini tournament for four female teams, an exhibition game amongst two nursery teams and some fun games between the quarter finals and semi finals will also be held.

The organisers are delighted with the high response from teams received. Mr. Jonathan Pisani mentioned that two of the best Gozitian teams will be participating whilst the strongest Maltese Futsal teams will be taking part, the likes of 2006-2007 1st division champions, 2007-2008 1st division runners up and trophy winners, the strongest foreign Futsal team based in Malta and a good representation from the first and second MFA divisions.

Mr. Mark Muscat from Melita Cable announced that the quarter finals, semi finals and final will be filmed by Melita Sports. Melita Sports will screen these seven games at a later stage. Melita Sports is happy to back such sports giving them exposure. The group stage draws were held whilst every team representative was presented with a free Futsal ball by the main sponsor Sportika of the event Mr. Mario Camilleri.

Finally the organising team thanked the main sponsor Sportika, Melita Sports – Media partner and all other secondary sponsors Enervit, Kyrstal Water, Gutenberg Press, Down Town Hotel, Calypso Hotel, Kelloggs and Gozo Sports Complex, Ministry for Gozo. Event contact number 7901 6016 or email maltafutsal@gmail.com.

Two special guests on Kick Off

The first two guests for Kick Off 10 years ago where invited for the first programme of this season. Captain George Kissaun next to Catherine Mifsud and Mr. Joseph Portelli next to Raquel Camenzuli.

Kick OFF - Returns !!

The big kick off is here and the Barclays Premier League gets on its way this weekend. The challengers are ready, new teams, new players old foes and even clubs who are in the top flight for the first time in their history. The big four are always favorites, but there is always the prospect of a surprise package form teams like Tottenham Hotspur, Everton or Manchester City. Kick Off starts again at 7.00pm on the 17th of August, celebrating 10 years of transmission. The first guests 10 years ago where Captain George Kissaun and Mr. Joseph Portelli who return again to the programme for the occasion.