| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Malta |
| Dates | 2 September 2017 – 5 May 2018 |
| Teams | 64 |
| Defending champions | Floriana |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Valletta (14 Times) |
| Runners-up | Birkirkara |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 63 |
| Goals scored | 239 (3.79 per match) |
All statistics correct as of 5 May 2018. | |
The2017–18Maltese FA Trophy was the 80th version of thefootball 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 inMalta Football Association headquarters inTa' 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 byNaxxar Lions in thethird round on 2 December 2017. The winners of the trophy wereValletta who won their 14th title following a 2–1 win overBirkirkara in the final. Despite losing the final, Birkirkara earned a place in the first qualifying round of the2018–19 UEFA Europa League, as Valletta had already qualified for the a European competition following theirleague triumph.[2]
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 | |
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| Preliminary round (10 clubs) |
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| First round (18 clubs) |
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| Second round (36 clubs) |
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| Third round (32 clubs) |
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| Fourth round (16 clubs) |
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| Quarter-finals (8 clubs) |
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| Semi-finals (4 clubs) |
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| Final (2 clubs) |
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| 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 |
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]
vXagħra United| 2 September 2017 | Nadur Youngsters | 4–1 | Xagħra United | Xewkija |
| 18:00CEST | Brandon Said 18',49'Stefan Cassar 23',48' | Report | Johann Bajada 28' | Stadium:Gozo Stadium Referee: Andre’ Naudi |
| 3 September 2017 | Mellieħa (4) | 4–3 | Munxar Falcons | Ta' Qali |
| 20:15CEST | 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 |
vGhaxaq (4)| 3 September 2017 | Oratory Youths | 4–0 | Ghaxaq (4) | Xewkija |
| 18:00CEST | Bartomeu Perello Palou 17' (pen.),29' Ralph Ebube Okpokwu 48',73' | Report | Stadium:Gozo Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli |
vMarsaskala (4)| 3 September 2017 | Xewkija Tigers | 4–1 | Marsaskala (4) | Xewkija |
| 20:00CEST | 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) | 4–1 | St. Lawrence Spurs | Ta' Qali |
| 18:00CEST | Emre Yener 31',65',66' Royter Degiorgio 80' | Report | Denis di Maio 34' | Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Darko Stankovic |
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) | 3–1 | Qala Saints | Mosta |
| 18:00CEST | 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 |
| 20:15CEST | 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 |
| 18:00CEST | Samuel Bartolo 16' Julian Vella 71' (o.g.) | Report | Kyle Simiana 14',50' Bryan Rene Bautista Navarro 66' | Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Kurt Saliba |
vNadur Youngsters| 10 September 2017 | Victoria Hotspurs | 1–0 | Nadur Youngsters | Gozo |
| 18:00CEST | Elton da Silva 66' | Report | Stadium:Gozo Stadium Referee: Ishmael Barbara |
| 10 September 2017 | Mtarfa (4) | 1–3 | Dingli Swallows (4) | Ta' Qali |
| 20:15CEST | Paul Azzopard 9' | Report | Peter Anoresco 26' Karl Cilia 73'Dylan Camenzuli 74' | Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Joseph Scerri |
vXewkija Tigers| 10 September 2017 | Victoria Wanderers | 1–4 | Xewkija Tigers | Gozo |
| 20:00CEST | 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) | 2–1 | Msida St. Joseph (4) | San Pawl il-Bahar |
| 20:00CEST | Gabriel Bonavia 45' Ivan Cassar 75' (o.g.) | Report | Dylan Agius 31' | Stadium:Sirens Stadium Referee: Shaun Calleja |
vKerċem Ajax| 11 September 2017 | Oratory Youths | 4–4 (a.e.t.) (3–4p) | Kerċem Ajax | Gozo |
| 19:00CEST | 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 |
vKirkop United (4)| 20 September 2017 | Għajnsielem | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (8–7p) | Kirkop United (4) | Ta' Qali |
| 19:00CEST | Alberto Xuereb 84' Shaun Bajada 93' | Neil John Cutajar 22' Michael Theuma 120+1' (pen.) | Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Shaun Calleja |
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 fromMaltese First Division andMaltese Second Division entered in the Second round.
| 22 October 2017 | Pembroke Athleta (2) | 1–3 (a.e.t.) | Pietà Hotspurs (2) | Hamrun |
| 17:15CEST | Souza 23' | Clieve Gauci 88',99',119' | Stadium:Victor Tedesco Stadium |
| 21 October 2017 | Għargħur (3) | 1–7 | Vittoriosa Stars (2) | Pembroke |
| 15:00CEST | 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) | 5–0 | Żabbar St. Patrick (2) | Pembroke |
| 17:15CEST | Kenneth Ekezie 8' Alan Tabone 11',36',90'Cleaven Zammit 88' | Stadium:Luxol Stadium |
| 22 October 2017 | Żurrieq (4) | 1–4 | Qrendi (2) | Pembroke |
| 15:00CEST | 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 |
| 15:00CEST | Nicholas Zammit 95',110' Jean Claud Cesare 115' | Stadium:Charles Abela Memorial Stadium |
| 21 October 2017 | Sirens (2) | 1–3 | Żebbuġ Rangers (2) | Hamrun |
| 17:15CEST | Darko Medic 75' (pen.) | Clifford Gauci 10',45' Aleksander Kovacic 47' | Stadium:Victor Tedesco Stadium |
vXghajra Tornadoes (4)| 22 October 2017 | Xewkija Tigers | 5–2 | Xghajra Tornadoes (4) | Gozo |
| 14:00CEST | 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 |
| 15:00CEST | 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 |
| 17:15CEST | Paul Chimezie 15',89' Tomislav Trebovac 47' | Stadium:Charles Abela Memorial Stadium |
| 22 October 2017 | Marsa (2) | 0–4 | Santa Lucia (3) | Hamrun |
| 15:00CEST | 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 |
| 17:15CEST | Joel Winters 88' | Timmy Thomas 31' Dylan Xuereb 77' | Stadium:Sirens Stadium |
| 21 October 2017 | Zejtun Corinthians (2) | 5–0 | Dingli Swallows (4) | Mosta |
| 17:15CEST | 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 |
| 15:00CEST | Bryan Bautista 85' | Roderick Taliana 15' (pen.) Mirco Vella 45' | Stadium:Sirens Stadium |
| 22 October 2017 | San Ġwann (2) | 2–0 | St. George's (3) | Pembroke |
| 17:15CEST | Mario Andres Artieta Suarez 33' Joao Claudio Kiala 49' | Stadium:Luxol Stadium |
vBirżebbuġa (3)| 22 October 2017 | Victoria Hotspurs | 4–0 | Birżebbuġa (3) | Gozo |
| 16:00CEST | 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 |
| 15:00CEST | Ognjen Rolovic 107' Alen Haska 110' | Stadium:Sirens Stadium |
| 21 October 2017 | Siggiewi (3) | 4–2 | Luqa St. Andrew's (3) | Mosta |
| 15:00CEST | 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.) (4–2p) | Għajnsielem | San Pawl il-Bahar |
| 17:15CEST | Toraino Singleton 12',80' Luke Micallef 120' | Everton Felipe da Silva 2' Oscar Guerrero 66',98' (pen.) | Stadium:Sirens Stadium |
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 fromMaltese Premier League entered in the Third round.
| 2 December 2017 | Balzan (1) | 4–1 | Gudja United (3) | Hamrun |
| 16:15CEST |
| Chris Grech 57' | Stadium:Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech |
| 2 December 2017 | Santa Lucia (3) | 0–5 | Birkirkara (1) | Hamrun |
| 14:00CEST |
| Stadium:Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius |
| 2 December 2017 | Valletta (1) | 2–0 | Senglea Athletic (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 16:15CEST | 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 |
| 16:15CEST |
| Mario Fontanella 49' (pen.) | Stadium:Hibernians Stadium Referee: Philip Farrugia |
| 2 December 2017 | Hibernians (1) | 2–1 | Victoria Hotspurs | Ta' Qali |
| 14:00CEST |
| Elton Alexandre da Silva 64' | Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Glenn Tonna |
| 2 December 2017 | Saint Andrews (1) | 1–3 | Sliema Wanderers (1) | Paola |
| 14:00CEST | 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) | 4–0 | Kalkara (3) | Ta' Qali |
| 18:00CEST |
| Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Alan Mario Sant |
vVittoriosa Stars (2)| 3 December 2017 | Xewkija Tigers | 4–0 | Vittoriosa Stars (2) | Gozo |
| 14:00CEST |
| Stadium:Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabriele |
| 1 December 2017 | San Ġwann (2) | 3–0 | Melita (2) | Hamrun |
| 20:15CEST |
| Stadium:Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Shaun Calleja |
| 3 December 2017 | Qrendi (2) | 2–0 | Qormi (2) | Hamrun |
| 16:15CEST | Dhonatan Santos Da Hora 15' Petar Mrvic 60' | Stadium:Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Sandro Spiteri |
vŻebbuġ Rangers (2)| 3 December 2017 | Kerċem Ajax | 5–1 | Żebbuġ Rangers (2) | Gozo |
| 16:15CEST |
| Gomes Rafael Da Silva 59' | Stadium:Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Darko Stankovic |
| 3 December 2017 | Marsaxlokk (3) | 0–3 | Zejtun Corinthians (2) | Ta' Qali |
| 14:00CEST | 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 |
| 18:00CEST | 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) | 2–1 | Mqabba (2) | Ta' Qali |
| 20:15CEST | 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 |
| 16:15CEST | 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 |
| 14:00CEST |
| Stadium:Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Jude Amin Utulu |
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 fromMaltese Premier League left, 4 clubs fromMaltese First Division left and 2 clubs fromGozo Football League left.
| 19 January 2018 | Birkirkara (1) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | San Ġwann (2) | Ta' Qali |
| 19:00CEST |
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| Stadium:Centenary Stadium Attendance: 346 Referee: Jude Amin Utulu |
| 20 January 2018 | Tarxien Rainbows (1) | 1–2 | Lija Athletic (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 14:00CEST |
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| Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Stefan Pace |
vQrendi (2)| 20 January 2018 | Kerċem Ajax | 3–4 (a.e.t.) | Qrendi (2) | Gozo |
| 15:30CEST |
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| Stadium:Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli |
| 21 January 2018 | Hibernians (1) | 3–0 | Xewkija Tigers | Ta' Qali |
| 14:00CEST |
| Stadium:Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius |
| 20 January 2018 | Balzan (1) | 2–0 | Naxxar (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 16:15CEST |
| Stadium:Centenary Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabriele |
| 21 January 2018 | Pietà Hotspurs (2) | 0–1 | Valletta (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 16:15CEST | Stadium:Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech |
| 20 January 2018 | Ħamrun Spartans (1) | 0–1 | Sliema Wanderers (1) | Paola |
| 16:00CEST |
| Stadium:Hibernians Stadium Referee: Trustin Cann Farrugia |
| 20 January 2018 | Mosta (1) | 1–2 | Zejtun Corinthians (2) | Paola |
| 14:00CEST |
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| Stadium:Hibernians Stadium Referee: Ishmael Barbara |
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 fromMaltese First Division that were still in the competition:Qrendi andZejtun Corinthians.
| 17 February 2018 | Qrendi (2) | 0–3 | Birkirkara (1) | Paola |
| 14:00CEST |
| Stadium:Hibernians Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech |
| 17 February 2018 | Lija Athletic (1) | 1–3 | Balzan (1) | Paola |
| 16:15CEST |
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| Stadium:Hibernians Stadium Referee:  Indrit Myrtja |
| 17 February 2018 | Valletta (1) | 2–0 | Zejtun Corinthians (2) | Ta' Qali |
| 14:00CEST |
| Stadium:Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Philip Farrugia |
| 17 February 2018 | Hibernians (1) | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (1–4p) | Sliema Wanderers (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 16:15CEST | Stadium:Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabrielle |
Two semi-final matches were played on 28 and 29 April 2018 atNational Stadium, Ta' Qali. The draw for the Semi-finals was held on 23 April 2018. The four clubs left were all fromMaltese Premier League.Balzan were the only club remaining in the competition that had never won theMaltese FA Trophy in the past. Both Semi-final matches were Live onTVM2
| 28 April 2018 | Birkirkara (1) | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–2p) | Sliema Wanderers (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 16:00CEST |
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| Stadium:Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Malcolm Spiteri |
| 29 April 2018 | Valletta (1) | 2–1 | Balzan (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 16:00CEST |
| Stadium:Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Clayton Pisani |
The final was played on 5 May 2018.
Birkirkara reached their tenthMaltese FA Trophy final having won it five times.Valletta reached their twenty-third final and had won it thirteen times previously.
Birkirkara andValletta have met together inMaltese FA Trophy final twice before, having previously met in 1999 and 2001.When meeting in the finals,Valletta have both times.
The last timeBirkirkara andValletta met together inMaltese FA Trophy was during the2015-16 fourth round whenBirkirkara beatValletta by 1–0.
| 5 May 2018 | Birkirkara (1) | 1–2 | Valletta (1) | Ta' Qali |
| 17:00CEST |
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| 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 |
The following matches were broadcast live onTVM2:
| Round | TVM2 | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Third Round | Gżira United vsĦamrun Spartans | National Stadium, Ta' Qali |
| Fourth Round | Hibernians vsXewkija Tigers | |
| Quarter-finals | Valletta vsZejtun Corinthians | |
| Semi-finals | Birkirkara vsSliema Wanderers | |
| Final | Birkirkara vsValletta |
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