2017–18 Maltese FA Trophy
The 2017–18 Maltese FA Trophy was the 80th version of the football tournament. It was sponsored by Boost Diesel, which was revealed during the draws of the first, second and third round of the Maltese FA Trophy at the Trophies Lounge in Malta Football Association headquarters in Ta' Qali.[1] A total of sixty–four clubs participated in this season's cup competition.[1]
| Country | Malta | 
|---|---|
| Dates | 2 September 2017 – 5 May 2018 | 
| Teams | 64 | 
| Defending champions | Floriana | 
| Champions | Valletta (14 Times) | 
| Runners-up | Birkirkara | 
| Matches played | 63 | 
| Goals scored | 239 (3.79 per match) | 
| ← 2016–17  2018–19 → All statistics correct as of 5 May 2018. | |
Floriana were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the third round by Naxxar Lions in the third round on 2 December 2017. The winners of the trophy were Valletta who won their 14th title following a 2–1 win over Birkirkara in the final. Despite losing the final, Birkirkara earned a place in the first qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, as Valletta had already qualified for the a European competition following their league triumph.[2]
Format
    
The Maltese FA Trophy this season was a single elimination tournament between 64 clubs. Matches which were level after regulation advanced to extra time and afterwards to penalties to determine a winner, when needed.[3]
| Clubs entering in this round | Clubs advancing from previous round | |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary round (10 clubs) | 
 | 
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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) | 
 | 
 | 
Schedule
    
| Round | Date(s) | Draw date | Number of fixtures | Clubs | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary round | 2–3 September 2017 | 7 August 2017 | 5 | 64 → 59 | 
| First round | 8–11 September 2017 | 9 | 59 → 50 | |
| Second round | 21–22 October 2017 | 18 | 50 → 32 | |
| Third round | 1–3 December 2017 | 13 November 2017 | 16 | 32 → 16 | 
| Fourth round | 19–21 January 2018 | 8 | 16 → 8 | |
| Quarter-finals | 17–18 February 2018 | 22 January 2018 | 4 | 8 → 4 | 
| Semi-finals | 28–29 April 2018 | 23 April 2018 | 2 | 4 → 2 | 
| Final | 5 May 2018 | 1 | 2 → 1 | 
Preliminary round
    
Five preliminary round matches were played on 2–3 September 2017.[4] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 7 August 2017.[1]
| 2 September 2017 | Nadur Youngsters   | 4–1 | Xagħra United  | Xewkija | 
| 18:00 CEST | Brandon Said  18', 49' Stefan Cassar  23', 48' | Report | Johann Bajada  28' | Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Andre’ Naudi | 
| 3 September 2017 | Mellieħa (4) | 4–3 | Munxar Falcons  | Ta' Qali | 
| 20:15 CEST | Bryan Bautista  12', 43' Jeffrey Gauci  77' Roberto Sammut  80' (o.g.) | Report | Mattias Michael Uzor  14' Jordi Parnis  16', 39' | Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Jude Amin Utulu | 
| 3 September 2017 | Oratory Youths   | 4–0 | Ghaxaq (4) | Xewkija | 
| 18:00 CEST | Bartomeu Perello Palou  17' (pen.), 29' Ralph Ebube Okpokwu  48', 73' | Report | Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli | 
| 3 September 2017 | Xewkija Tigers   | 4–1 | Marsaskala (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) | 4–1 | St. Lawrence Spurs  | Ta' Qali | 
| 18:00 CEST | Emre Yener  31', 65', 66' Royter Degiorgio  80' | Report | Denis di Maio  34' | Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Darko Stankovic | 
First round
    
Nine first round matches were played on 9–20 September 2017.[4] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 7 August 2017.[1]
| 9 September 2017 | Żurrieq (4) | 3–1 | Qala Saints  | Mosta | 
| 18:00 CEST | Gilbert Camilleri  7' Leontiev Konda  42' Daniel Zammit  82' | Joseph Buttigieg  30' | Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium Referee: Andrea Naudi | 
| 9 September 2017 | Ta' Xbiex S.C. (4) | 1–4 | St. Venera Lightnings (4) | Mosta | 
| 20:15 CEST | Riccardo Napoli  38' | Luca Bugeja  27' Eddie Wileman  75, 80, 90+4' | Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium Referee: Keith Montebello | 
| 10 September 2017 | Mdina Knights (4) | 2–3 | Mellieħa (4) | Ta' Qali | 
| 18:00 CEST | Samuel Bartolo  16' Own Goal  71' | Report | Kyle Simiana  14, 50' Bryan Rene Bautista Navarro  66' | Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Kurt Saliba | 
| 10 September 2017 | Victoria Hotspurs   | 1–0 | Nadur Youngsters  | Gozo | 
| 18:00 CEST | Elton da Silva  66' | Report | Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Ishmael Barbara | 
| 10 September 2017 | Mtarfa (4) | 1–3 | Dingli Swallows (4) | Ta' Qali | 
| 20:15 CEST | Paul Azzopard  9' | Report | Peter Anoresco  26' Karl Cilia  73' Dylan Camenzuli  74' | Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Joseph Scerri | 
| 10 September 2017 | Victoria Wanderers  | 1–4 | Xewkija Tigers   | Gozo | 
| 20:00 CEST | Nicolás Abot  84' | Report | Own Goal  17' Gennaro Hili  45' Rodney Buttigieg  51' Thiago Melo dos Santos  81' | Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Sandro Spiteri | 
| 11 September 2017 | Xghajra Tornadoes (4) | 2–1 | Msida St. Joseph (4) | San Pawl il-Bahar | 
| 20:00 CEST | Gabriel Bonavia  45' Own Goal  75' | Report | Dylan Agius  31' | Stadium: Sirens Stadium Referee: Shaun Calleja | 
| 11 September 2017 | Oratory Youths  | 4–4 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Kerċem Ajax   | Gozo | 
| 19:00 CEST | Ralph Ebube Okpokwu  38' Bartomeu Perello Palou  56' Joshua Buttigieg  94, 120+1' | Report | Ognjen Rolovic  46 pen' Alen Haska  90+1' Nathaniel Mercieca  117' Jean Paul Mizzi  120' | Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Alex Johnson | 
| 20 September 2017 | Għajnsielem   | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (8–7 p) | Kirkop United (4) | Ta' Qali | 
| 19:00 CEST | Alberto Xuereb  84' Shaun Bajada  93' | Neil John Cutajar  22' Michael Theuma  120+1 pen' | Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Shaun Calleja | 
Second round
    
Eighteen second round matches were played on 21–22 October 2017.[4] The draw for the preliminary, first, and second rounds was held 7 August 2017.[1] All teams from Maltese First Division and Maltese Second Division entered in the Second round.
| 22 October 2017 | Pembroke Athleta (2) | 1–3 (a.e.t.) | Pietà Hotspurs (2) | Hamrun | 
| 17:15 CEST | Souza  23' | Clieve Gauci  88, 99, 119' | Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium | 
| 21 October 2017 | Għargħur (3) | 1–7 | Vittoriosa Stars (2) | Pembroke | 
| 15:00 CEST | Charlot Zarb  49' | Joseph JoJo Ogunuppe  23' Obinna Obiefule  35, 44' Andre Farrugia  58, 90+3' Cristian Suarez  63' Armano Leilis  77' | Stadium: Luxol Stadium | 
| 21 October 2017 | Marsaxlokk (3) | 5–0 | Żabbar St. Patrick (2) | Pembroke | 
| 17:15 CEST | Kenneth Ekezie  8' Alan Tabone  11, 36, 90' Cleaven Zammit  88' | Stadium: Luxol Stadium | 
| 22 October 2017 | Żurrieq (4) | 1–4 | Qrendi (2) | Pembroke | 
| 15:00 CEST | Gilbert Camilleri  76' | Shunsuke Nakamura  27' Dhonatan Santos Da Hora  36,67' Camelo Caruana  90 OG' | Stadium: Luxol Stadium | 
| 22 October 2017 | Gudja United (3) | 3–0 (a.e.t.) | Rabat Ajax (2) | Mosta | 
| 15:00 CEST | Nicholas Zammit  95, 110' Jean Claud Cesare  115' | Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium | 
| 21 October 2017 | Sirens (2) | 1–3 | Żebbuġ Rangers (2) | Hamrun | 
| 17:15 CEST | Darko Medic  75p' | Clifford Gauci  10, 45' Aleksander Kovacic  47' | Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium | 
| 22 October 2017 | Xewkija Tigers   | 5–2 | Xghajra 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) | 5–0 | Dingli 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) | 2–0 | St. George's (3) | Pembroke | 
| 17:15 CEST | Mario Andres Artieta Suarez  33' Joao Claudio Kiala  49' | Stadium: Luxol Stadium | 
| 22 October 2017 | Victoria Hotspurs   | 4–0 | Birżebbuġa (3) | Gozo | 
| 16:00 CEST | Elton Alexandre da Silva  11 Pen' Henrique Maciel  84' Chris Camilleri  89' Andrea Debrincat  90' | Stadium: Gozo Stadium | 
| 22 October 2017 | Attard (3) | 0–2 (a.e.t.) | Kerċem Ajax   | San Pawl il-Bahar | 
| 15:00 CEST | Ognjen Rolovic  107' Alen Haska  110' | Stadium: Sirens Stadium | 
| 21 October 2017 | Siggiewi (3) | 4–2 | Luqa St. Andrew's (3) | Mosta | 
| 15:00 CEST | Jake Vella  35' Ian Montanaro  44' Mauro Busutti  52, 75' | Alan Abdel Rahman  17' Luke Zahra  56 OG' | Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium | 
| 22 October 2017 | Melita (2) | 3–3 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p) | Għajnsielem  | San Pawl il-Bahar | 
| 17:15 CEST | Toraino Singleton  12, 80' Luke Micallef  120' | Everton Felipe da Silva  2' Oscar Guerrero  66, 98 Pen' | Stadium: Sirens Stadium | 
Third round
    
Sixteen third round matches were played on 1–3 December 2017. The draw for the third and fourth rounds was held 13 November 2017. All teams from Maltese Premier League entered in the Third round.
| 2 December 2017 | Balzan (1) | 4–1 | Gudja United (3) | Hamrun | 
| 16:15 CEST | 
 | Chris Grech  57' | Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech | 
| 2 December 2017 | Santa Lucia (3) | 0–5 | Birkirkara (1) | Hamrun | 
| 14:00 CEST | 
 | Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius | 
| 2 December 2017 | Valletta (1) | 2–0 | Senglea 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 | 
 | Mario Fontanella  49' (pen.) | Stadium: Hibernians Stadium Referee: Philip Farrugia | 
| 2 December 2017 | Hibernians (1) | 2–1 | Victoria Hotspurs  | Ta' Qali | 
| 14:00 CEST | 
 | 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) | 4–0 | Kalkara (3) | Ta' Qali | 
| 18:00 CEST | 
 | Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Alan Mario Sant | 
| 3 December 2017 | Xewkija Tigers   | 4–0 | Vittoriosa Stars (2) | Gozo | 
| 14:00 CEST | 
 | Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabriele | 
| 1 December 2017 | San Ġwann (2) | 3–0 | Melita (2) | Hamrun | 
| 20:15 CEST | 
 | Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Shaun Calleja | 
| 3 December 2017 | Qrendi (2) | 2–0 | Qormi (2) | Hamrun | 
| 16:15 CEST | Dhonatan Santos Da Hora  15' Petar Mrvic  60' | Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Sandro Spiteri | 
| 3 December 2017 | Kerċem Ajax   | 5–1 | Żebbuġ Rangers (2) | Gozo | 
| 16:15 CEST | 
 | 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) | 2–1 | Mqabba (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 | 
 | 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 | 
 | 
 | 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 | 
 | 
 | Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Stefan Pace | 
| 20 January 2018 | Kerċem Ajax  | 3–4 (a.e.t.) | Qrendi (2) | Gozo | 
| 15:30 CEST | 
 | 
 | Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli | 
| 21 January 2018 | Hibernians (1) | 3–0 | Xewkija Tigers  | Ta' Qali | 
| 14:00 CEST | 
 | Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius | 
| 20 January 2018 | Balzan (1) | 2–0 | Naxxar (1) | Ta' Qali | 
| 16:15 CEST | 
 | 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 | 
 | Stadium: Hibernians Stadium Referee: Trustin Cann Farrugia | 
| 20 January 2018 | Mosta (1) | 1–2 | Zejtun Corinthians (2) | Paola | 
| 14:00 CEST | 
 | 
 | 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 | 
 | 
 | Stadium: Hibernians Stadium Referee:  Indrit Myrtja | 
| 17 February 2018 | Valletta (1) | 2–0 | Zejtun 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) | 2–1 | Balzan (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 | 
 | 
 | Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Attendance: 7,011 Referee: Alan Mario Sant Assistant referees: Duncan Sultana & Thomas Debono 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 | |
| Final | Birkirkara vs Valletta | |
See also
    
    
References
    
- "Veritable BOOST sponsorship for FA Trophy". MFA. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- "Preliminary Access List 2018/19". Bert Kassies. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- "FA TROPHY: Season Rules". scoresway.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- "Cup". soccerway.com. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
