2023–24 Maltese FA Trophy
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024) |
![]() Sliema Wanderers lifting the Maltese FA Trophy after the final. | |
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Country | Malta |
Dates | 12 December 2023 - 12 May 2024 |
Teams | 42 |
Defending champions | Birkirkara |
Final positions | |
Champions | Sliema Wanderers |
Runner-up | Floriana |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 41 |
Goals scored | 146 (3.56 per match) |
Top goal scorer(s) | Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa (4 Goals) |
All statistics correct as of 12 May 2024. |
The 2023–24 Maltese FA Trophy, officially named IZIBET FA Trophy due to sponsorship reasons, was the 86th edition of the football cup competition, the FA Trophy. The winners earned a place in the second qualifying round of the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League.
Birkirkara were the defending champions. But were eliminated in the Semi-Finals by Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers won the cup (their twenty-second Maltese FA Trophy win) on 12 May 2024, defeating Floriana 4–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.
Preliminary round
[edit]Ten preliminary round matches were played on 12 and 13 December 2023, featuring twelve teams from the 2023–24 Maltese Challenge League, six teams from the 2023–24 Gozo First Division, and two teams from the 2023–24 Maltese National Amateur League.
The draw was held on 7 November 2023.[1] The four remaining Maltese Challenge League teams (Attard, Luqa St. Andrew's, Żabbar St. Patrick, and Żurrieq), the two remaining teams from the Gozo First Division (Għajnsielem and Xewkija Tigers), and two teams from the Maltese National Amateur League (Marsaskala and Mġarr United) received byes.
12 December 2023 | Kirkop United (3) | 1–2 | Lija Athletic (2) | Hamrun |
20:30 CET |
|
| Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli |
13 December 2023 | Melita (2) | 5–7 (a.e.t.) | Qala Saints ![]() | Mosta |
11:15 CET |
|
| Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium Referee: Andrea Naudi |
13 December 2023 | Victoria Wanderers ![]() | 1–2 | Marsa (2) | Kerċem |
12:00 CET |
|
| Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Slobodan Petrovic |
13 December 2023 | Msida Saint-Joseph (2) | 5–1 | Xagħra United ![]() | Mosta |
13:45 CET |
|
| Stadium: Charles Abela Memorial Stadium Referee: Wayne Sammut |
13 December 2023 | Żejtun Corinthians (2) | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Kercem Ajax ![]() | Hamrun |
14:00 CET |
|
| Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Sandro Spiteri |
13 December 2023 | Nadur Youngsters ![]() | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (5–3 p) | St. Andrews (2) | Kerċem |
14:30 CET |
|
| Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius | |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
13 December 2023 | St. George's (3) | 1–5 | Swieqi United (2) | Hamrun |
16:30 CET |
| Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Ezekiel Barbara |
13 December 2023 | Oratory Youths ![]() | 0–2 | Fgura United (2) | Kerċem |
17:00 CET |
| Stadium: Kerċem Ajax Stadium Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo |
13 December 2023 | Senglea Athletic (2) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (2–3 p) | Pietà Hotspurs (2) | Ta' Qali |
19:00 CET |
|
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit |
13 December 2023 | Tarxien Rainbows (2) | 1–2 | Żebbuġ Rangers (2) | Hamrun |
19:00 CET |
|
| Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Anthony Paul Vella |
Round of 32
[edit]Sixteen matches played between 11–15 January, featuring the ten preliminary round winners, the 14 teams from the 2023–24 Maltese Premier League, and the eight teams given preliminary round byes.
The draw for the Round of 32 and Round of 16 was held on 22 December 2023. The draws were held by Malta FA Director of Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi together with former Malta national team player Justin Haber and Franco Degabriele Chief Commercial Officer of IZIBET.
11 January 2024 | Santa Lucia (1) | 2–0 | Marsa (2) | Ta' Qali |
20:30 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit |
13 January 2024 | Birkirkara (1) | 3–1 | Attard (2) | Ta' Qali |
14:00 CET |
|
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Slawomir Olucha |
13 January 2024 | Floriana (1) | 2–0 | Naxxar Lions (1) | Paola |
14:00 CET |
| Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabriele |
13 January 2024 | Żabbar St. Patrick (2) | 1–2 | Żebbuġ Rangers (2) | Ħamrun |
14:00 CET |
|
| Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Joseph Scerri |
13 January 2024 | Marsaxlokk (1) | 5–0 | Żejtun Corinthians (2) | Paola |
16:30 CET |
| Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Glen Tonna |
13 January 2024 | Mosta (1) | 5–1 | Pietà Hotspurs (2) | Ta' Qali |
16:30 CET |
|
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Slobodan Petrovic |
13 January 2024 | Msida Saint-Joseph (2) | 1–3 | Mġarr United (3) | Ħamrun |
16:30 CET |
| Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Vladimir Rizoski |
13 January 2024 | Ħamrun Spartans (1) | 3–0 | Lija Athletic (2) | Ta' Qali |
19:00 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit |
14 January 2024 | Balzan (1) | 2–1 | Żurrieq (2) | Ta' Qali |
11:00 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius |
14 January 2024 | Nadur Youngsters ![]() | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Sirens (1) | Xewkija |
13:00 CET |
|
| Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Alex Johnson | |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
14 January 2024 | Hibernians (1) | 2–0 | Qala Saints ![]() | Ta' Qali |
14:00 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Andrea Sciriha |
14 January 2024 | Luqa St. Andrew's (2) | 1–2 | Swieqi United (2) | Ħamrun |
14:00 CET |
| Stadium: Victor Tedesco Stadium Referee: Andrea Naudi |
14 January 2024 | Xewkija Tigers ![]() | 0–3 | Gudja United (1) | Xewkija |
15:30 CET |
| Stadium: Gozo Stadium Referee: Daniel Casha |
14 January 2024 | Valletta (1) | 7–1 | Għajnsielem ![]() | Ta' Qali |
16:30 CET |
|
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Ishmael Barbara |
14 January 2024 | Sliema Wanderers (1) | 3–0 | Marsaskala (3) | Ta' Qali |
19:00 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech |
15 January 2024 | Gzira United (1) | 2–0 | Fgura United (2) | Ta' Qali |
18:00 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Daniel Portelli |
Round of 16
[edit]Eight matches were played on 6–8 February, featuring the 16 Round of 32 winners.
The draw for the Round of 32 and Round of 16 was held on 22 December 2023. The draws were held by Malta FA Director of Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi together with former Malta national team player Justin Haber and Franco Degabriele Chief Commercial Officer of IZIBET. The round includes one team from the third tier, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition: Mġarr United.
6 February 2024 | Birkirkara (1) | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Sirens (1) | Paola |
18:00 CET |
| Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Malcolm Spiteri |
6 February 2024 | Floriana (1) | 7–1 | Żebbuġ Rangers (2) | Ta' Qali |
18:15 CET |
|
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Daniel Casha |
6 February 2024 | Mosta (1) | 2–1 | Valletta (1) | Paola |
20:30 CET |
|
| Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Glen Tonna |
6 February 2024 | Marsaxlokk (1) | 3–0 | Swieqi United (2) | Ta' Qali |
20:45 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Darryl Agius |
7 February 2024 | Gzira United (1) | 1–0 | Hibernians (1) | Ta' Qali |
18:00 CET |
| Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Alex Johnson |
7 February 2024 | Santa Lucia (1) | 3–3 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Mġarr United (3) | Ta' Qali |
20:15 CET |
|
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Ezekiel Barbara | |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
7 February 2024 | Sliema Wanderers (1) | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Balzan (1) | Ta' Qali |
20:30 CET |
| Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Slobodan Petrovic |
8 February 2024 | Ħamrun Spartans (1) | 3–0 | Gudja United (1) | Ta' Qali |
20:30 CET |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Emanuel Grech |
Quarter-finals
[edit]The draw for the quarter-finals was held on 5 March 2024. The draws were held on Tuesday by Malta FA Director Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi assisted by former Malta national football team players Roderick Briffa and IZIBET Brand Ambassador Andrew Hogg. Four matches were played on 30 March 2024, featuring the eight Round of 16 winners. The round included one team from the third tier, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition: Mġarr United.
30 March 2024 | Gzira United (1) | 2–0 | Mġarr United (3) | Ta' Qali |
14:00 CEST |
| Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Alex Johnson |
30 March 2024 | Marsaxlokk (1) | 0–2 | Floriana (1) | Paola |
14:00 CEST |
| Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Philip Farrugia |
30 March 2024 | Birkirkara (1) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Ħamrun Spartans (1) | Ta' Qali |
15:00 CEST |
|
| Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann | |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
30 March 2024 | Mosta (1) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Sliema Wanderers (1) | Paola |
16:30 CEST |
|
| Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit | |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
Semi-finals
[edit]The draw for the semi-finals was held on 28 April 2024. The draws were held live on TVMSports by Malta FA Director of Football Operations Stephen Azzopardi together with Franco Degabriele Chief Commercial Officer of IZIBET. Two matches were played on 7 and 8 May, featuring the four quarter-final winners (four teams from the 2023–24 Maltese Premier League).
7 May 2024 | Floriana (1) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Gzira United (1) | Ta' Qali |
19:00 CEST |
|
| Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Matthew De Gabriele | |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
8 May 2024 | Birkirkara (1) | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Sliema Wanderers (1) | Ta' Qali |
19:00 CEST |
| Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Ishmael Barbara |
Final
[edit]The final was played on 12 May. Floriana and Sliema Wanderers met in the Maltese FA Trophy final sixteen times back in 1935, 1936, 1938, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1993, 2017, and 2023. Between them in the finals, Floriana won nine times and Sliema Wanderers won six times. The last time Floriana and Sliema Wanderers met together in Maltese FA Trophy was during the 2016–17 season in the final when Floriana beat Sliema Wanderers by 2–0.
12 May 2024 | Floriana (1) | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (2–4 p) | Sliema Wanderers (1) | Ta' Qali |
16:00 CEST | Stadium: Ta' Qali National Stadium Referee: Fyodor Zammit | |||
Penalties | ||||
|
|
Top scorers
[edit]- As of 12 May 2024
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Floriana | 4 |
![]() | Melita | ||
3 | ![]() | Floriana | 3 |
![]() | Gudja United | ||
![]() | Ħamrun Spartans | ||
![]() | Marsaxlokk | ||
![]() | Mgarr United | ||
![]() | Msida Saint-Joseph | ||
![]() | Qala Saints | ||
![]() | Valletta |
Television rights
[edit]The following matches were broadcast live on TVMSports+:
Round | TVMSports+ |
---|---|
Round of 32 | Mosta vs Pietà Hotspurs, Hibernians vs Qala Saints |
Round of 16 | Gżira United vs Hibernians, Sliema Wanderers vs Balzan |
Quarter-finals | Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans |
Semi-finals | Floriana vs Gzira United, Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers |
Final | Floriana vs Sliema Wanderers |
References
[edit]- ^ Busuttil, Antoine (2023-11-07). "IZIBET FA Trophy preliminary round draw". MaltaFootball. Retrieved 2023-11-07.