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
CountryMalta
Dates2 September 2017 – 5 May 2018
Teams64
Defending championsFloriana
ChampionsValletta (14 Times)
Runners-upBirkirkara
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

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
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

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

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'
Own Goal  71'		 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 Own Goal  17'
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'
Own Goal  75'		 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

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 OG'		 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  75p' 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 OG'		 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

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

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 P'
  • 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 P'
  • 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

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

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
  • Ognjen Rolovic  49'
Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
29 April 2018 Valletta (1) 2–1Balzan (1)Ta' Qali
16:00 CEST
  • Lecao Alex Da Paixao  67'
 Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium
Referee: Clayton Pisani

Final

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

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

References
  1. "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. "Cup". soccerway.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
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