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.