Courtesy: Malta Football

Malta's progress halted by protest

Malta’s first Futsal overseas adventure in the Torneo del Mediterraneo came to a bitter end as the team’s deserved progress to the semi-final stage was halted following a minor breach of tournament regulations.

Malta’s line-up for their second group match consisted of 15 players instead of the allowed 12, following verbal permission from tournament organizers to do so in their previous match. Soon after kick-off, this was brought to the team’s attention and coach Striz immediately relegated 3 players to the stands. The final 3-3 score-line was overturned by the Giudice Sportivo, awarding a win to Emilia Romagna, who took Malta’s place in the last four.

Emilia Romagna were eventually beaten 7-2 by Rappresentativa Regione Sicilia in the final. Despite the obvious disappointment, Malta’s positive performances where acknowledged. The team received the Fair Play Award, while Malta’s hero in goal Bjorn Vassallo was voted Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com