Naxxar Victorians opened their account in the new MAFA season last weekend with a fine performance and took a 2-1 win against newly promoted side Birkirkara St Joseph on Saturday.

It was the Victorians’ game to lose as the side, led by Antoine Farrugia in the absence of coach Connor Muchmore, dominated proceedings throughout the game with goalkeeper Ayrton Agius having to make just a few saves to keep as possession revolved around the opponents’ half for most of the affair.

However, it took the Victorians 41 minutes to find the net through last season’s club top scorer Fabrizio Farrugia who fired in from a pinpoint through-ball from Clayton Falzon on the left.

Ten minutes later, Naxxar were further ahead when an assist this time from Nathan Farrugia led to Fabrizio Farrugia’s second.

Birkirkara managed to get a goal back late on in the match against the run of play with a shot from distance that flew past Agius into the bottom corner.

Naxxar Victorians face Swieqi Braves next in the MAFA Division Two – Check out this fixture here!

In the first match of the new year, The Naxxar Victorians failed to leave the pitch with all three points. However, there were a number of positives to take from the 4-1 defeat suffered against second-placed side San Gwann ProEvolution Academy.

Continue reading “MATCH REVIEW: Much to build upon despite loss to San Gwann” →

The Naxxar Victorians could finally celebrate their first three points of the season on Saturday after a compact team performance earned them a 1-0 win over Zejtun Lacci, in what was a battle of the basement teams. 

Continue reading “‘I knew we would win’ says coach K after first Victorians three-pointer” →

The Malta Amateur Football Association (MAFA) season has begun and the first round of matches in Division Two took place on Saturday with the Naxxar Victorians starting off on the wrong foot – a 2-0 loss to newcomers San Gwann ProEvolution Academy. New Victorians technical director Kyle Debono spoke to naxxarvictorians.com about the match and what is in store for the coming fixture against Zebbug Youngsters.

Continue reading “‘We did not make the best of our chances against San Gwann’ says Debono” →

It was not the start of the new season the Victorians were hoping for as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to newcomers San Gwann ProEvolution Academy on Saturday.

In a match that saw the debut of four new players, the boys conceded a goal on either side of the half despite having numerous chances throughout the game.

Continue reading “Tough start for Victorians in season opener” →

Naxxar Victorians will face Mqabba Albions in this year’s MAFA knockout preliminary round in January, MAFA general secretary David Abdilla announced on Friday, as he drew this year’s fixtures.

These preliminaries will take place on January 8, 15, and 22 with the date for Naxxar’s match against Mqabba still to be set.

However, if successful, coach Karl Borg’s clan will face fellow Division Two side Balluta Barracudas in the next round of the Cup.

This year’s MAFA Division two will consist of eight teams and according to MAFA’s draw, the Victorians are sixth in the order with which the Malta Football Association (MAFA)’s system – COMET – will decide how this year’s fixtures will take place.

As usual, each team will play two rounds of matches from the start of the season which, this year, will be September 25.

Mqabba and San Gwann Pro-Evolution Academy will be the only newcomers in this year’s Division Two after a draw between interested sides, in order to complete the group as San Giljan Saints and Valletta Stars were promoted to Division One.

Pitches

As for this season’s pitches, Marsaxlokk, Santa Lucija, and Mosta will be the grounds at which the Victorians will play this season. Abdilla said that all COVID-19 protocols from last season will continue to be enforced and all matches will still take place behind closed doors this season. All players will also be required to have a vaccine certificate or a PCR test 48 hours before matchday at the earliest.

A full and updated fixture list will be published soon, so stay tuned!

FORZA VICTORIANS

This year’s ‘Goal of the Year’ contenders were announced by the Malta Amateur Football Association (MAFA) on Monday on the association’s Facebook page.

Despite the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the league in its makeshift ‘Special League’ edition, saw its share of impressive plays including the top five ranked goals. From these goals, two came from Gonzalo Bueno, who played as a winger with the club, in a 3-2 loss against Balzan Youths.

Bueno Farewell

Unfortunately, Bueno will not be part of this year’s squad due to him moving back to Spain. The boys celebrated his efforts and contributions to the club back in June with a testimonial game and a team dinner at The Mill GastroPub later on.

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Head over to the post and give Bueno’s goals a vote (deadline is August 5).

FORZA VICTORIANS!

The Naxxar Victorians players kicked off their first preseason training session on Tuesday as the team begins to prepare for the 2021/22 season. This will see the league return to its normal state following the MAFA Special League was set up during the COVID-19 restricted 2020/21 season.

Most of last season’s players, as well as a number of trialists, showed up at the club’s training ground for preseason as coach Karl Borg begins to work on the squad’s fitness levels. The season is set to begin around September (no confirmed date so far) and Borg insists every season’s goal is to win as much as we can.

Asked by www.naxxarvictorians.com about this season’s Day 01, Borg sounded his enthusiasm by saying that it was a strong start to what he plans to be a tough but important preseason.

Squad changes

The squad will be facing a few changes from last season due to the fact that wide man Gonzalo Bueno has returned to Spain, while Camilleri brothers James and Jason will not be available for personal reasons. Captain Chris Cutajar and vice-captain Kyle Agius return to the squad after a year of absence due to COVID-19.

The club’s call for new players remains open. Those interested can get in touch with the club through our contact page as well as our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

FORZA VICTORIANS!

The Naxxar Victorians came running out of the blocks with one aim and achieved it as they went home with all three points on Saturday at the Marsaxlokk Grounds as they edged new boys Ta’ Xbiex AFC 1-0. 

It was a solo goal by James Camilleri right after the change of ends which brought about the win for Frans Spiteri’s side but one can praise the collective effort shown by the Reds, who battled the rainy conditions and controlled the game.

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The Boys lined up with Kurt Aquilina, captaining the side on the day, as the one between the sticks. In front of him, Jake Agius and Matthew Gauci were the centre defensive wall, with Nathan Farrugia and Gonzalo Bueno covering the fullback positions. Jason Camilleri and Ian Ciantar filled the midfield with Clayton Falzon playing in front of them. Dale Cassar and James Camilleri ran the flanks as Thomas Francalanza took his place upfront.

Right from the outset, the Victorians looked for their go-ahead goal and went close on multiple occasions, with shots going wide. Ta’ Xbiex responded with a shot from distance which Aquilina rose to push over the bar for a corner. The latter was forced into action another time as from a cross on the left, the Victorians shot-stopper leapt in between the crowded area to collect and end the attack.

After the break, Spiteri introduced pacy winger Fabrizio Farrugia into the fray and this worked to the Reds’ advantage as only three minutes into the half, a ball on the right found James Camilleri who sped past his marker, crept into the area and fired past the Ta’ Xbiex goalkeeper.

With the lead in favour of the Victorians, Keith Zammit was brought on for Ian Ciantar in midfield to provide fresh legs in what was about to become a fight to build on that goal.

The Victorians dominated possession but it was Ta’ Xbiex who had the more dangerous attempt as a deflected shot dropped towards the top corner but again, Aquilina was on hand to parry and confirm with another save mid-air as a Ta’ Xbiex forward tried to head goalwards. 

Naxxar had one final chance to close off the contest as James Camilleri once again entered the area. But this time, he laid the ball to Falzon who had little time to flick the ball in and ended up putting it wide.

The Naxxar Victorians now face San Giljan Saints in two weeks time on Matchday 2. They enter the fixture as leaders of the pack so far.

FORZA VICTORIANS!