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]

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 Gozo 4–1Xagħra United GozoXewkija
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 GozoTa' 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 Gozo 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 Gozo 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 GozoTa' 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 GozoMosta
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 Gozo 1–0Nadur Youngsters GozoGozo
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 Gozo1–4 Xewkija Tigers Gozo 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 Gozo4–4 (a.e.t.)
(3–4 p)		 Kerċem Ajax Gozo 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 Gozo 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' (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 Gozo 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 Gozo 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 Gozo 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 GozoSan 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 GozoTa' 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 Gozo 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 Gozo 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' (pen.)
  • Ousmane Sidibe 51'
  • Erjon Beu 60'
 Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Stefan Pace
20 January 2018 Kerċem Ajax Gozo3–4 (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 GozoTa' 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: Albania 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
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

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. ^ 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.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017%E2%80%9318_Maltese_FA_Trophy
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