Mqabba Statistics

The next official match of the season for the Magpies in the first division league is against Mqabba on Sunday 4th January 2009 at 12.45pm in the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun. This is the fifth match to be played in first division league for both teams. Below are some history results and statistics.

Statistics from season 1997/1998 to date
First Division Knock-Out (08/09), Mqabba vs Rabat: 3-1 Josef Tonna
First Division (03/04), Rabat vs Mqabba: 1-2 Joseph Farrugia
First Division (03/04), Mqabba vs Rabat: 4-0
First Division (02/03), Mqabba vs Rabat: 1-4 William Borg (x2), Engoya Ulrich (x2)
First Division (02/03), Rabat vs Mqabba: 3-2 William Borg (x2), Alan Zahra
First Division (01/02), Rabat vs Mqabba: 3-0 William Borg (x2), Engoya Ulrich
First Division (01/02), Mqabba vs Rabat: 3-2 Engoya Onesime Ulrich (x2)
FA Trophy (01/02), Rabat vs Mqabba: 2-1 Keith Micallef, Christian Muscat

	Mqabba	Rabat
Wins	4	4
Draws	0	0
Losts	4	4

Viewing history results between both teams are equally balanced in direct confrontations. In fact a total of eight matches have been played with a total of four victories on each side.

During this season this will be the second time that the two teams will play against each other. They had already played against each other in the first-division knock-out competition earlier this season. During this encounter the match ended with a victory for the Mqabba side with a final score of three goals against one. Read summary match report here.

Official matches played by Mqabba this season (LWLWLLDWW)
Pieta vs Mqabba 1-0
Mqabba vs Rabat 3-1
Dingli vs Mqabba 2-1
Mqabba vs Vittoriosa 3-2
Tarxien vs Mqabba 4-2
Mosta vs Mqabba 3-1
Mqabba vs Vittoriosa 1-1
Mqabba vs San Gwann 2-1
Senglea vs Mqabba 1-3

Official matches played by Rabat this season (DLDLLLLLL)
Rabat vs Vittoriosa 1-1
Mqabba vs Rabat 3-1
Pieta vs Rabat 0-0
Rabat vs Dingli 0-2
Rabat vs Hamrun 1-3
St Patrick vs Rabat 1-0
Rabat vs St George's 1-2
Pieta vs Rabat 3-0
Rabat vs Mosta 0-4

Viewing recent results, the Mqabba team started the season a bit inconsistent, but seem to have recovered within the start-up of the league. In fact they lost only their first match in the kick-off of the league, and till now have accumulated a total of seven points consisting of two victories and a single draw from a total of four matches.

Rabat on the other hand started the season completely on a false start. They still can and are trying to recover by waiting for their first official victory. Their last official victory occurred a long time ago, on 18th May 2008. The Magpies are coming out from a total of four consecutive defeats in the first division. They are still waiting to collect their first points to remove them from the last and lonely position in the league. Also, they are still in search of a new coach that is capable of avoiding relegation back to second division.

In recent years only two teams managed to start the first division badly as the Magpies are doing (ie 4 defeats). On the fifth match one team managed to obtain a draw (Tarxien in season 98/99) while the other team achieved its first victory (St Patrick in season 07/08). It must be noted that though both teams started the season badly, they still managed to avoid relegation. Will Rabat achieve something similar in their next match and in the rest of the season?

Players statistics in official matches during this season

Name	Appearances	Scored/Conceded
Jonathan Azzopardi [GK]	9	19
Glen Magri	9	0
Emmanuel Muscat	8	0
Adam Smeir	8	1
Jonathan Bezzina	8	0
Josef Tonna	8	1
Joseph Caruana	8	1
Edward Azzopardi	7	0
Darren Galea	7	0
Lydon Micallef	7	0
Kayne Said	6	0
Adrian Mifsud	6	1
Christopher Schembri	6	0
Michael Micallef	5	0
Paolo Ciantar	5	0
Dylan Falzon	4	0
Alan Zahra	2	0
Keith Micallef	2	0
Neil Caruana	2	0
Dalton Wingfield	1	0
David Azzopardi	1	0

Season Statistics
Total players utilized: 21
Total matches played: 9
Total goals scored: 4 (Average 0.44 goals scored per match)
Total goals scored from the penalty-spot: 1
Total goals scored from a corner-kick: 1
Total goals conceded: 19 (Average 2.11 goals conceded per match)
Total goals conceded from a corner-kick: 7
Total goals conceded from the penalty-spot: 1 (another was given but missed)

League Statistics
Total league matches: 4
Total goals scored in league: 1 (Average 0.25 goals scored per match)
Total goals conceded in league: 10 (Average 2.5 goals conceded per match)
Total goals conceded from a corner-kick: 5
Total goals conceded from the penalty-spot: 1

If you remember any memorable matches or any other useful information or comments regarding any match between these two teams that you wish to share, post comments below.

Rabat vs Mosta 0-4

Match Date: Sunday, December 21, 2008, 14:45-16:45
Venue: Hibs Stadium, Rahal Gdid
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Josef Tonna, Christopher Schembri, Lydon Micallef, Dylan Falzon, Joseph Caruana, Emmanuel Muscat, Darren Galea (Glen Magri), Adrian Mifsud (David Azzopardi), Adam Smeir (Kayne Said)
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Rabat played the match with no official coach driving the team. Unfortunately, another match with almost no story for the Magpies. The first goal suffered again from a dead-ball situation, that is a corner-kick in the middle of the first half. The other goals were scored all in the second half. The second goal was scored from a clear offside which was not only viewed by the linesman. The third goal was conceded from a clear penalty. The fourth and final goal was scored from a counter attack.

Some positive notes regarding the match are:
1) Some team spirit until the score was 2-0. Rabat could have gone early on front but an excellent heading scoring opportunity by Adrian Mifsud was luckily saved by the Mosta keeper. Also the match was quite balanced till that score.
2) The return on the bench of Alan Zahra after a long injury. Hopefully we will see him back on the pitch early next year.
3) The debut of a young promising player, David Azzopardi.

Mosta Statistics

The next official match of the season for the Magpies in the first division league is against Mosta on Sunday 21st December 2008 at 2.45pm in the Hibs Stadium in Rahal Gdid. This is the fourth match to be played in first division league for both teams. Below are some history results and statistics.

Statistics from season 1997/1998 to date
First Division (03/04), Mosta vs Rabat: 3-1 Joseph Farrugia
First Division (03/04), Rabat vs Mosta: 1-1 Josef Tonna
First Division (01/02), Mosta vs Rabat: 2-3 Keith Micallef, William Borg (x2)
First Division (01/02), Rabat vs Mosta: 0-0
FA Trophy (99/00), Rabat vs Mosta: 2-2 (4-2 pens) Ziya Yildiz (x2)
First Division (97/98), Mosta vs Rabat: 1-3 Adrian Mifsud, Michael Farrugia, Roderick Asciak
First Division (97/98), Rabat vs Mosta: 2-1 Ziya Yildiz, Roderick Asciak

	Rabat	Mosta
Wins	3	1
Draws	3	3
Losts	1	3

In recent years Rabat and Mosta have encountered each other a total of seven official matches. History results are in favour of the Magpies, were they won on three occasions, drawn on an other three different occasions and lost only in one occasion. Though, the most recent encounter between the two teams results to be the only victory for the Mosta side which occurred five seasons ago.

Earlier this season both teams have already encountered each other in a friendly match. This friendly match was won by Mosta with a final score of 4-2.

Official matches played by Rabat this season (DLDLLLLL)
Rabat vs Vittoriosa 1-1
Mqabba vs Rabat 3-1
Pieta vs Rabat 0-0
Rabat vs Dingli 0-2
Rabat vs Hamrun 1-3
St Patrick vs Rabat 1-0
Rabat vs St George's 1-2
Pieta vs Rabat 3-0

Official matches played by Mosta this season (WWDDLWWW)
San Gwann vs Mosta 1-2
Mosta vs St Patrick 1-0
Senglea vs Mosta 1-1
Mosta vs St George's 1-1
Mosta vs Vittoriosa 0-2
Mosta vs Mqabba 3-1
San Gwann vs Mosta 0-2
Mosta vs Senglea 1-0

Viewing recent results, the Mosta team are passing from one of their best moments. From all matches in the league, they succeeded to obtain all maximum points by wining their initial three matches, which count up to nine points. From the beginning of the season they only lost one match which was in the FA Trophy.

Rabat on the other hand started the season with a false start and are still waiting for their first victory. Their last official victory occurred 218 days ago (calculated on next match date), on 18th May 2008. The Magpies are coming out from three consecutive defeats in the first division. They are still waiting to collect their first points to remove them from the last and lonely position in the league.

The ex-Magpies coach Joe Gerada will not be guiding the team on the bench during the next match. It must be noted that it is thanks to Joe Gerada that Rabat managed to achieve promotion from third division to first division in only three years, with a solid new and youth team. I am still not aware who is the new coach.

Negative starts in First Division (till season 1997/1998)
07/08, St Patrick started with 4 defeats. Finished the league in 3rd position from bottom.
03/04, Tarxien started with 3 defeats and continued with a draw. Finished the league in 2nd position from last, thus relegated to Second Division.
99/00, Zebbug started with 4 defeats. Finished in the last position with only three points collected from 3 draws, and were relegated to Second Division.
98/99, Tarxien started with 4 defeats and continued with a draw. Finished the league in a respectable 4th position.

Negative starts for Rabat in First Division (till season 1997/1998)
03/04, An initial sequence of LDLLDDLLW. Finished in last position with only 7 points collected (1 win and 4 draws). Team was relegated to Second Division.
02/03, An initial sequence of LDLLW. Finished the league in 4th position with 8 wins.
01/02, An initial sequence of LLDLLLDLLW. Finished the league in 4th position with 7 wins.

The above statistics does not show how the rest of the season will be for the Magpies. What it can show is the fact that there were instances in the past were teams begun the season in the wrong foot and then ended the season avoiding relegation. Its now upon the team to change the current losing streak, avoid relegation and honour the team to which they are playing for.

Players statistics in official matches during this season

Name	Appearances	Scored/Conceded
Jonathan Azzopardi [GK]	8	15
Glen Magri	8	0
Emmanuel Muscat	7	0
Adam Smeir	7	1
Edward Azzopardi	7	0
Jonathan Bezzina	7	0
Josef Tonna	7	1
Joseph Caruana	7	1
Darren Galea	6	0
Lydon Micallef	6	0
Kayne Said	5	0
Adrian Mifsud	5	1
Christopher Schembri	5	0
Michael Micallef	5	0
Paolo Ciantar	5	0
Dylan Falzon	3	0
Alan Zahra	2	0
Keith Micallef	2	0
Neil Caruana	2	0
Dalton Wingfield	1	0

Season Statistics
Total players utilized: 20
Total matches played: 8
Total goals scored: 4 (Average 0.5 goals scored per match)
Total goals conceded: 15 (Average 1.875 goals conceded per match)

Total league matches: 3
Total goals scored in league: 1 (Average 0.33 goals scored per match)
Total goals conceded in league: 6 (Average 2.0 goals conceded per match)

If you remember any memorable matches or any other useful information or comments regarding any match between these two teams that you wish to share, post comments below.

Pieta vs Rabat 3-0

Match Date: Sunday, December 7, 2008, 14:45-16:45
Venue: Hibs Stadium, Rahal Gdid
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Michael Micallef (Paolo Ciantar), Edward Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Josef Tonna, Lydon Micallef (Dylan Falzon), Joseph Caruana, Glen Magri (Christopher Schembri), Darren Galea, Adrian Mifsud, Adam Smeir
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Two early goals early in the match in the begining 15 minutes of the match, and another goal in the begining of the second half. Two of the goals came from dead-ball situations, specifically corner-kicks. Both sides had a player sent off in the last minutes of the match. The Magpies player was Edward Azzopardi with a direct red card.

Pieta Statistics

The next official match of the season for the Magpies in the first division league is against Pieta on Sunday 7th December 2008 at 2.45pm in the Hibs Stadium in Rahal Gdid. This is the third match to be played in first division league for both teams. Below are some history results and statistics.

Statistics from season 1997/1998 to date
First Division Knock-Out (08/09), Pieta vs Rabat: 0-0
Premier League (00/01), Rabat vs Pieta: 1-1 Roderick Asciak
FA Trophy (00/01), Pieta vs Rabat: 2-1 (aet) William Borg
Premier League (00/01), Rabat vs Pieta: 4-2 Joe Galea (x2), Roderick Asciak, Michael Micallef
Premier League (00/01), Pieta vs Rabat: 3-1 Joseph Farrugia
Premier League (00/01), Rabat vs Pieta: 2-2 Ziya Yildiz, Engoya Onesime Ulrich
FA Trophy (99/00), Pieta vs Rabat: 1-1 (1-3 pens) Roderick Asciak
Premier League (99/00), Rabat vs Pieta: 2-2 Roderick Asciak (x2)
Premier League (99/00), Pieta vs Rabat: 2-1 Ziya Yildiz
FA Trophy (98/99), Pieta vs Rabat: 1-1 Edward Azzopardi
Premier League (98/99), Rabat vs Pieta: 2-1 Roderick Asciak (x2)
Premier League (98/99), Pieta vs Rabat: 4-0

	Rabat	Pieta
Wins	3	4
Draws	5	5
Losts	4	3

In history Rabat and Pieta have played against each other in different occasions for a total of twelve matches. History results are in favour of Pieta, though they are in advantage over the Magpies by only a single win.

During this season this will be the second time that the two teams will play against each other. They had already played against each other in the first-division knock-out competition earlier this season. During this encounter the match ended on a stalemate of no goals. This match was one of the best performances for the Magpies during this season, were most of the time the match was played with ten men against eleven men, due to a double yellow card to one of the Magpies players. This can keep hopes for the next encounter having for the whole match eleven players against eleven players should provide a good performance, remove the gap that was available during their first encounter and possibly produce a positive result.

Official matches played by Rabat this season (DLDLLLL)
Rabat vs Vittoriosa 1-1
Mqabba vs Rabat 3-1
Pieta vs Rabat 0-0
Rabat vs Dingli 0-2
Rabat vs Hamrun 1-3
St Patrick vs Rabat 1-0
Rabat vs St George's 1-2

Official matches played by Pieta this season (WDDWLDD)
Pieta vs Mqabba 1-0
Dingli vs Pieta 0-0
Pieta vs Rabat 0-0
Vittoriosa vs Pieta 1-3
Pieta vs Qormi 1-3
Pieta vs San Gwann 3-3
Senglea vs Pieta 1-1

Viewing recent results, both teams are not passing from their best moments. Pieta are coming out of three matches without a victory. These consist in two draws in the first division and a defeat against a club from the premier division. Rabat on the other hand started the season with a false start and are still waiting for their first victory. The Magpies are coming out from four consecutive defeats. After two matches in the first division league, they are still waiting for their first points to remove them from the last and lonely position in the league and be in a respectable league position.

Players statistics in official matches during this season

Name	Appearances	Scored/Conceded
Jonathan Azzopardi [GK]	7	12
Emmanuel Muscat	7	0
Glen Magri	7	0
Adam Smeir	6	1
Edward Azzopardi	6	0
Jonathan Bezzina	6	0
Josef Tonna	6	1
Joseph Caruana	6	1
Kayne Said	5	0
Darren Galea	5	0
Lydon Micallef	5	0
Adrian Mifsud	4	1
Christopher Schembri	4	0
Michael Micallef	4	0
Paolo Ciantar	4	0
Alan Zahra	2	0
Dylan Falzon	2	0
Keith Micallef	2	0
Neil Caruana	2	0
Dalton Wingfield	1	0

Above are the statistics for every player that was utilized this season in an official match. The average goals conceded this season is a a total of 1.7 per match. The average goals scored this season is a total of 0.57 per match. Unfortunately the number of goals scored by the strikers is very rare, since only a total of two goals have been scored till now. One of the goals was scored on the first official outcome of the season from the veteran striker Adrian Mifsud, while the other goal was scored from a penalty kick taken by Adam Smeir.

From recent performances it seems that the net is being difficult to find. In my opinion the main cause is that of not having a midfielder that acts as a play-maker and is capable of creating scoring opportunities for the attackers. To add more problems to the Magpies forwards, in recent matches the winger Alan Zahra was out due to an injury. This is the key player that would make some difference in the playing style of the team, were he is capable of creating precise crosses that could be easily finished in the net by the strikers.

During the last match, there were also missing two key and experienced defenders Josef Tonna and Michael Micallef. Their presence was mostly felt during the second part of the match, were the defenders who played seemed to lack match practice and also experience in a higher division.

Some other points to mention in general on the whole team is that team seems to lack determinism for the whole ninety minutes. Also, some players seem to be below their personal standards and seem to be very far away from last year best form.

If you remember any memorable matches or any other useful information or comments regarding any match between these two teams that you wish to share, post comments below.

Rabat vs St George's 1-2

Match Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 14:45-16:45
Venue: Hibs Stadium, Rahal Gdid
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Neil Caruana, Edward Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Paolo Ciantar, Lydon Micallef, Emmanuel Muscat (Christopher Schembri), Joseph Caruana, Glen Magri, Kayne Said (Darren Galea), Adam Smeir
Rabat Scorers: Joseph Caruana

The Magpies showed their best in the first half, with different scoring opportunites which were almost all wasted. Rabat scored their first goal in the last part of the first half from a nice team action which was concluded by a very good shot from Joseph Caruana.

In the second half, St George's were the better team and they deserved the victory. St George's started to be too dangerous and sooner or later the goal was clear that it would come for them. The Magpies were almost inexisting with no ball movement, to slow, inaccurate in long shots and showing to many individualism. The first goal for St George's was scored in the middle of the second half, while the second goal was scored in the last minute of the match.

St George's had also two wasted opportunities created from two counter attacks by their fast striker in the second half that were saved by the Rabat defence on the goal line. While the result was on a draw of one each, Rabat had a good scoring opportunity (the one and only in the second half) from a corner kick which was unfortunately headed on the post. This goal could have made the story completely different in terms of the result, but not on the performance of the Magpies.

St George's Statistics

The next official match of the season for the Magpies in the first division league is against St George's on Sunday 23th November 2008 at 2.45pm in the Hibs Stadium in Rahal Gdid. This is the second match for both teams in the first division league, where Rabat started with a defeat while St George's took out the maximum points from their first match. Below are some history results and statistics.

Statistics from season 1997/1998 to date
First Division (97/98), Rabat vs St George's : 3-0 Paul Farrugia (x2), Adrian Mifsud
First Division (97/98), St George's vs Rabat: 2-3 Herbert Vassallo, Adrian Mifsud, Michael Farrugia

	Rabat	St George's
Wins	2	0
Draws	0	0
Losts	0	2

Official matches played by Rabat this season (DLDLLL)
Rabat vs Vittoriosa 1-1
Mqabba vs Rabat 3-1
Pieta vs Rabat 0-0
Rabat vs Dingli 0-2
Rabat vs Hamrun 1-3
St Patrick vs Rabat 1-0

Official matches played by St George's this season (WLDDLW)
St George's vs Senglea 2-3 (St Georges won match 2-0 after protest)
St Patrick vs St George's 4-0
St George's vs San Gwann 1-1
Mosta vs St George's 1-1
Hibernians vs St George's 2-0
St George's vs Senglea 2-0

In recent years these two teams, have encountered each other in only two circumstances which occurred in the same year about 10/11 years ago. Both matches are in favor of the Magpies, and in both matches the veteran Rabat Ajax striker Adrian Mifsud left his sign. These should be encouraging to increase confidence among the players, for the first official victory of the season and to continue on a positive note the encounters between the two teams.

Though history results are in favor of the Magpies, recent results tell another story. St George's look to be a bit inconsistent in their results where they managed to obtain two victories (one of them after a protest), two draws and two defeats (one of them was quite abysmal and against the Magpies last match opponents). Rabat on the other side are still waiting for their first victory of the season, and which everyone have been waiting for from the end of the last season, that is the promotion decider against Balzan Youths.

What can be said about the Magpies is that during every match they played so far, they always had their best moments, but not the best is being taken out of them where too many occasions are being wasted. In this division errors cannot be made, since for every error that is being made, the team is being punished by a class of more experienced players and teams. All opportunities created during the match must be exploited to their maximum in order to increase the morale of every playing individual and to grow as one solid team, as happened in the previous successful years.

Another point that I want to criticise on is the fact that one third of the goals conceded this year (a total of nine) started from a dead-ball situation. Two of them also occurred in the last two matches, Hamrun and St Patrick respectively. Does this mean that the team is being to static when coming to these types of situations? As happened last year the Rabat defence should be our point of reference and which was the best of the best. Having last years solid defence should start to produce the minimum results of a stalemate draw with no goals.

Current year results have already been produced by the Magpies two years ago (2006/7), when they were promoted from third division to second division. In fact in that year the league was started with four consecutive defeats, but which then continued with much better results till the end of the season, where a third respective league position was obtained. Hopefully, this year something similar will happen but wishing that the winning way starts earlier!

If you remember any memorable matches or any other useful information or comments regarding any match between these two teams that you wish to share, post comments below.

St Patrick vs Rabat 1-0

Match Date: Saturday, November 15, 2008, 13:00-15:00
Venue: Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Neil Caruana, Edward Azzopardi, Josef Tonna, Michael Micallef (Paolo Ciantar), Lydon Micallef (Dalton Wingfield), Emmanuel Muscat (Kayne Said), Joseph Caruana, Christopher Schembri, Glen Magri, Adam Smeir
Rabat Scorers: n/a

The goal scored from a corner kick in the 44th minute of the first half. In the last minutes of the match, Josef Tonna was sent off with a direct red card for a foul as a last man. Immediately afterwards a St Patrick player was sent off for his second yellow card.

St Patrick Statistics

The next official match of the season for the Magpies is against St Patrick on the 15th November 2008 at 1.00pm in the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun. This is the first match for both teams in the first division league. For the Magpies this is the last competition that will be competing in this year. The objectives and expectations are high and the way to achieve promotion to the Premier league is long and hard. This long route can only be accomplished if the whole club, including players, committee and supporters remain all united in all ups and downs that are to be encountered through all the way until the last match. Below are some history results and statistics.

Statistics from season 1997/1998 to date
First Division (03/04), St Patrick vs Rabat: 5-3 Alan Zahra, Engoya Ulrich (x2)
First Division (03/04), Rabat vs St Patrick: 1-3 Christian Muscat
First Division (02/03), St Patrick vs Rabat: 1-0
First Division (02/03), Rabat vs St Patrick: 1-0 William Borg
First Division (01/02), Rabat vs St Patrick: 2-4 Christian Muscat, Engoya Ulrich
First Division (01/02), St Patrick vs Rabat: 3-2 Engoya Ulrich, William Borg
Premier Division (98/99), St Patrick vs Rabat: 2-1 Roderick Asciak
Premier Division (98/99), Rabat vs St Patrick: 1-1 Roderick Asciak
Premier Division (98/99), St Patrick vs Rabat: 1-1 Adrian Mifsud
First Division (97/98), Rabat vs St Patrick: 2-1 Roderick Asciak, Michael Micallef
First Division (97/98), St Patrick vs Rabat: 1-2 John Cassar, Adrian Mifsud

	Rabat	St Patrick
Wins	3	6
Draws	2	2
Losts	6	3

Recent official matches played by Rabat (DLL)
Pieta vs Rabat 0-0
Rabat vs Dingli 0-2
Rabat vs Hamrun 1-3

Recent official matches played by St Patrick (WWL)
Senglea vs St Patrick 0-4
St Patrick vs Senglea 3-2
St Patrick vs Floriana 0-1

Viewing recent results, the Magpies have a tough match for the kick-off of the first division league. St Patrick are coming from a convincing first part of the season, where they only lost in the second round of the FA Trophy against a tough opponent with a margin of one goal and against Mosta in the group stage of the First-Division Knock-Out competition with an identical score of the previous defeat, that is 1-0. On the hand, the Magpies are still waiting for their first victory in an official match in this new season. Also, viewing history results, St Patrick have always given a hard time to the Magpies in each official match previously played throughout the years.

If you remember any memorable matches or any other useful information regarding any match between these two teams that you wish to share, post comments below.

Rabat vs Hamrun 1-3

Match Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008, 15:30-17:30
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Edward Azzopardi, Josef Tonna, Michael Micallef, Lydon Micallef, Emmanuel Muscat, Joseph Caruana (Christopher Schembri), Glen Magri, Adam Smeir, Adrian Mifsud (Kayne Said)
Rabat Scorers: Adam Smeir

Description:
Unfortunately Rabat came out from another match without a victory. Though, this time the defeat came against a club playing in the Premier Division. While the match was won with a margin of two goals, one must say that the match was equally balanced between the two teams.

Problems for the Magpies started immediately, were the key and experienced striker Adrian Mifsud had to give forfeit in the beginning minutes of the match due to an injury and was substituted with Kayne Said. After Rabat were then penalised with a dubious penalty, but this was saved by the Rabat goalkeeper after a re-take, leaving the result still on stalemate.

In the late minutes of the first half Rabat suffered the first goal on the keepers second pole from a dead-ball situation. The second goal came early in the second-half, which could have been avoided by the Rabat defence.

After suffering the second goal Rabat made a reaction to reduce the scoreline. Infact they were rewarded a clear penalty which was scored by the Magpies striker Adam Smeir.

In the late minutes Rabat had their captain sent off for his second yellow card. In the injury time of the match the Magpies suffered the third goal, which was totally undeserved after viewing the performance of both teams during the whole match.

One final comment is that the Rabat team showed a lot of improvement from their previous matches. This should be encouraging for the Magpies before our first official kick-off of the first division league starting next week.

Hamrun Statistics

The next official match for this season is against Hamrun Spartans for the FA trophy cup. It can also be noted that Hamrun were last year finalists, which they lost against Birkirkara in the last minutes of the match. This will be played on Saturday at 3.30 in the afternoon at the Centenary stadium, Ta' Qali. This is a knock-out match meaning that the winning team will pass to the second round of the competition while the losing team will be automatically eliminated from the competition. Below are some history results and statistics.

Statistics from season 1997/1998 to date
Premier League (00/01), Hamrun vs Rabat: 1-1 Roderick Asciak
Premier League (00/01), Rabat vs Hamrun: 2-3 William Borg (x2)
Premier League (98/99), Rabat vs Hamrun: 2-1 Adrian Mifsud, Ziya Yildiz
Premier League (98/99), Hamrun vs Rabat: 4-2 Roderick Asciak, Edward Azzopardi
Premier League (98/99), Rabat vs Hamrun: 4-2 Vesko Petrovic, Adrian Mifsud, Edward Azzopardi, Kevin Loughborough

	Rabat	Hamrun
Wins	2	2
Draws	1	1
Losts	2	2

Recent official matches played by Rabat (LDL)
Mqabba vs Rabat 3-1
Pieta vs Rabat 0-0
Rabat vs Dingli 0-2

Recent official matches played by Hamrun (DLL)
Tarxien vs Hamrun 1-1
Hamrun vs Birkirkara 0-1
Msida vs Hamrun 3-2

Viewing recent results, one can say that both teams are not passing from their best moments in this initial part of the season against what happened at the end of last season, where Rabat achieved a successful promotion and Hamrun reached the final of this cup. Also, Hamrun has just changed their coach (Steve D'Amato), where this will be his first official match.

It must be noted that the Spartans opponents should be considered to be much more difficult on paper. This means that this will be a good test for the Magpies to turn back to winning victories against a team playing in a higher division and an old rival back in the eighties.

If you remember any memorable matches or any other useful information regarding this match that you wish to share, post comments below.

Rabat vs Marsa 5-2

Match Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008, 18:45-20:45
Venue: Rabat Training Ground, Imtarfa
Who Played: n/a
Rabat Scorers: Glen Magri (x2), Emmanuel Muscat, Adam Smeir, Lydon Micallef

First-Division Knock-Out - Group 1 (2008/9)

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
Dingli	4	3	1	0	5	1	4	10
Pieta	4	2	2	0	4	1	3	8
Mqabba	4	2	0	2	7	6	1	6
Rabat	4	0	2	2	2	6	-4	2
Vittoriosa	4	0	1	3	4	8	-4	1

Rabat vs Dingli 0-2

Match Date: Saturday, October 11, 2008, 14:30-16:30
Venue: Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Edward Azzopardi, Josef Tonna, Paolo Ciantar, Lydon Micallef (Darren Galea), Emmanuel Muscat, Keith Micallef (Christopher Schembri), Glen Magri, Adam Smeir, Adrian Mifsud (Kayne Said)
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Match Description: A good performance by the Magpies in the first half with too many wasted scoring opportunities. Dingli scored the first goal from a corner kick with poor defensive attention in this dead-ball situation.

In the second half Dingli were the better side, where they increased their lead with another goal. The only positive note in the second half is the excellent performance offered by the goalkeeper Jonathan Azzopardi, since if it wasn't for him the score would have been much larger, and would have resulted with an abysmal defeat for the the Magpies.

Opinion: In my opinion the main problem in team is that they are too slow when they building a scoring action. Too much time is wasted on thinking about how to move the ball or to whom to pass the ball. This gives enough time for the opponents to retreat and defend well any scoring opportunity.

Post any further comments or opinions regarding the match or the state of the team below.

Dingli Statistics

The next match is against Dingli Swallows next Saturday at 2.30 in the afternoon in the Victor Tedesco stadium at Hamrun. This is a match that for the Magpies almost has no story, since they are mathematically out of the competition. Below are some history results and statistics.

Statistics from season 1997/1998 to date
Second Division (06/07), Dingli vs Rabat: 1-1 Kayne Said
Second Division( 06/07), Rabat vs Dingli: 1-1 Adam Smeir
Second Division (04/05), Dingli vs Rabat 1-0
Second Division (04/05), Rabat vs Dingli: 0-1
First Division (97/98), Rabat vs Dingli: 4-2 Paul Farrugia, Adrian Mifsud (x2), Roderick Asciak
First Division (97/98), Dingli vs Rabat: 1-2 Adrian Mifsud, Edmond Kela

	Rabat	Dingli
Wins	2	2
Draws	2	2
Losts	2	2

The main objective for the Magpies is that of giving a hard time to our neighbours and rivals Dingli Swallows from achieving first place in the group stage. Also, it is a match where the Rabat players can start to show some determination and offer better and convincing playing action with hopefully a victory in an official season match before the kick-off of the first division league in approximately a month's time.

Good luck goes for all the Rabat Ajax staff for the match, and hopefully to see more enthusiast supporters that follow and support our team, in order for us supporters to be the 12th man in the ground and support our team in any circumstance during the match.

Rabat vs Lija 0-2

Match Date: Monday, October 6, 2008, 19:30-21:30
Venue: Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun
Who Played: n/a
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Description: The result says it all

Rabat vs Marsa 2-0

Match Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008
Venue: n/a
Who Played: n/a
Rabat Scorers: Kayne Said, Emmanuel Muscat

Pieta vs Rabat 0-0

Match Date: Sunday, September 28, 2008, 14:30-16:30
Venue: Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Edward Azzopardi, Josef Tonna, Paolo Ciantar, Lydon Micallef, Emmanuel Muscat, Joseph Caruana, Glen Magri, Kayne Said (Adam Smeir), Darren Galea
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Description: This is a decisive match for the Magpies which must absolutely win to place themselves in the first two places of the group, and to be able to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

Again, this week Rabat will play against a team which last year used to play with the top Maltese football clubs, that is in the Premier division. Today's opponents are Pieta Hotspurs. This should be a good test for the Magpies to view the players condition and the complete team spirit.

A good game provided by both teams, with chances of goal on both sides. One negative note about the match is that the referee seemed a bit biased towards the Pieta team. Rabat were better than Pieta in the first half, with different occasions of opening the score. In the ending minutes of the first half a red card (2 yellow cards) was shown to Joseph Caruana, which influenced the playing style of the Magpies in the second half.

Pieta were a bit better in the second half were they exploited the fact that they were playing 11 against 10. Rabat also provided some good counter attacks in the last part of the second half with the help of the substitute Adam Smeir.

Considering everything, it seems that there was progress from the last match against Mqabba. It must also be noted that some key players were also missing for the Magpies, though their substitutes performed the job very well. This should be encouraging for the next match against Dingli and for the start of the league.

Mqabba vs Rabat 3-1

Match Date: Sunday, September 21, 2008, 17:00-19:00
Venue: Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Dylan Falzon, Josef Tonna, Michael Micallef, Alan Zahra, Emmanuel Muscat (Darren Galea), Joseph Caruana, Glen Magri, Adam Smeir, Adrian Mifsud
Rabat Scorers: Josef Tonna

Description: A match between last year's Second division promoted team Rabat Ajax and last year's Premier division relegated team Mqabba.

Rabat conceeded a goal in the early minutes of the match and in the 80 minute of the match. After the 90th minute a confusing action resulted a goal for Rabat, with a goal headed in by Josef Tonna. This goal was soon cancelled a minute later by Mqabba. Overall it was a poor performance by the Magpies, which they surely can do better.

Rabat vs Vittoriosa 1-1

Match Date: Saturday, September 13, 2008, 17:00-19:00
Venue: Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun
Who Played: Jonathan Azzopardi, Jonathan Bezzina, Edward Azzopardi (Dylan Falzon), Josef Tonna, Michael Micallef, Alan Zahra, Emmanuel Muscat, Joseph Caruana, Glen Magri (Keith Micallef), Kayne Said, Adrian Mifsud (Darren Galea)
Rabat Scorers: Adrian Mifsud

Description: An overall good performance by the Rabat Ajax team, which could have easily resulted in a victory. One can say that most of the match was leaded and controlled by the Magpies. Rabat scored in the first half from a corner kick, which was headed in by Adrian Mifsud. Unfortunately when chances are lost you get soon punished. In fact Rabat performed a good counter attack but was wasted and soon resulted with a goal by the opponents in the ending minutes of the match.

Mosta vs Rabat 4-2

Description: A friendly match as a preperation for the new season.
Match Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Venue: n/a
Rabat Scorers: Emanuel Muscat, Adrian Mifsud

Melita vs Rabat 4-1

Match Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 19:30 - 21:30
Venue: Melita Stadium, Pembroke
Rabat Scorers: Darren Galea

Victoria vs Rabat 0-2

Match Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008, 18:00 - 20:00
Venue: Gozo Stadium, Gozo
Rabat Scorers: Adrian Mifsud, Kayne Said

Rabat vs Melita, Pembroke

Tournament Date: Thursday, August 21, 2008
Venue: n/a

Rabat vs Melita 0-2
Rabat vs Pembroke 1-0 Kayne Said

St. Venera vs Rabat 1-0

Match Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 18:30 - 20:30
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Rabat vs Qormi 0-4

Match Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 18:30 - 20:30
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Rabat vs Balzan 3-0

Promotion Decider
Match Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008, 16:00-18:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Adam Smeir (x2), Paolo Ciantar

Video of the first goal

 
Promotion celebrations

Second Division League (2007/8)

	Name	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
1	San Gwann	22	14	5	3	45	22	23	47
2	Balzan	22	15	2	5	55	25	30	47
3	Rabat	22	14	5	3	36	11	25	47
4	Melita	22	13	3	6	43	23	20	42
5	Birzebbuga	22	11	2	9	36	36	0	35
6	Lija	22	8	4	10	25	29	-4	28
7	St. Venera	22	8	4	10	28	39	-11	28
8	St. Andrews	22	7	5	10	20	26	-6	26
9	Naxxar	22	7	2	13	17	31	-14	23
10	Mgarr	22	5	6	11	23	37	-14	21
11	Zurrieq	22	5	7	10	26	31	-5	17
12	Sirens	22	1	3	18	11	55	-44	6

Zurrieq have 5 points reduced (having a player punched an official)

Naxxar vs Rabat 0-2

Match Date: Sunday, May 11, 2008, 11:00-21:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Adam Smeir, Christopher Schembri

Rabat vs Birzebbuga 5-1

Match Date: Thrusday, May 1, 2008, 09:00-11:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Emmanuel Muscat (x2), Christopher Schembri, Kayne Said, Jonathan Bezzina

St. Venera vs Rabat 1-1

Match Date: Saturday, April 19, 2008, 16:00-18:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Clint Micallef

Line Up - Cross Bar Challenge

Rabat vs Mgarr 3-1

Match Date: Sunday, April 6, 2008, 09:00-11:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Clint Micallef(x2), Alan Zahra

Balzan vs Rabat 0-0

Match Date: Saturday, March 29, 2008, 16:00-18:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Rabat vs Melita 0-1

Match Date: Sunday, March 23, 2008, 11:00-13:00
Description: Semi-final Round
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Melita vs Rabat 0-0

Match Date: Saturday, March 15, 2008, 16:00-18:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: n/a

Rabat vs Sirens 3-0

Match Date: Sunday, March 2, 2008, 11:00-13:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Emmanuel Muscat, Adam Smeir, Jonathan Bezzina

St. Andrews vs Rabat 0-1

Match Date: Sunday, February 24, 2008, 11:00-13:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Adam Smeir

Rabat vs Lija 1-1

Match Date: Saturday, February 16, 2008, 13:30-15:30
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Adam Smeir

San Gwann vs Rabat 1-1

Match Date: Friday, February 8, 2008, 20:00-22:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Jonathan Bezzina

Rabat vs Zurrieq 2-0

Match Date: Saturday, January 26, 2008, 13:30-15:30
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Adam Smeir (x2)

Rabat vs Naxxar 2-0

Match Date: Sunday, January 13, 2008, 9:00-11:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Jonathan Bezzina, Alan Zahra

Birzebbuga vs Rabat 0-2

Match Date: Friday, January 4, 2008, 20:00-22:00
Venue: Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Rabat
Rabat Scorers: Jonathan Bezzina, Darren Galea