Naxxar Victorians begin their MAFA Division 2 campaign this Saturday with a clash against Gudja Wanderers at the Qormi FC Grounds. Kick-off is set for 4:15pm, as the team looks to build on the foundations laid during the Twanny Agius Fair Play Cup in September.
Coach Jake Agius will be without two important players for the opener. Goalkeeper Facundo Rolando and midfielder Owen Agius are both sidelined through injury, leaving gaps to fill in the squad. Even so, the rest of the team is available for selection, and there is positive news with the return of all-time top scorer Fabrizio Farrugia. His presence could provide the spark up front that the side has been missing in recent outings.
The Fair Play Cup served as a useful pre-season test for the Victorians, where the team showed good cohesion and organisation across the pitch. However, the lack of goals was a concern, with the side yet to find the back of the net this season. Agius will be urging his players to be more decisive in attack, while keeping the same spirit of unity that was seen last month.
Facing Gudja Wanderers will be no easy task, but the opening game always brings an extra level of energy and anticipation. For Naxxar, this is a chance to set the tone for the months ahead and show that they are ready to compete in Division 2.
Furthermore, the team will be looking to amplify captain Daniel Agius’ previous comments, where he told the MAFA media that: “We know we’re capable of playing football and getting our desired results. In this way, we can compete with our opponents.”
Supporters will be hoping that Farrugia’s return, combined with the hunger of the squad, will mark the beginning of a promising campaign.
Naxxar Victorians jibdew il-kampanja tagħhom fit-tieni Diviżjoni tal-MAFA is-Sibt b’partita kontra l-Gudja Wanderers fil-Ground ta’ Qormi FC. Il-partita tibda fis-4:15pm, bl-iskwadra tfittex tibni fuq il-pedamenti mqiegħda matul it-Twanny Agius Fair Play Cup f’Settembru li għadda.
Il-kowċ Jake Agius se jkun mingħajr żewġ plejers importanti għall-ftuħ tal-kampjonat. Il-goalkeeper Facundo Rolando u l-midfielder Owen Agius huma t-tnejn barra minħabba injuries, u dan iħalli vojt li jkollu jimtela fl-iskwadra. Madankollu, il-bqija tat-tim huwa disponibbli għall-għażla, b’aħbar pożittiva bir-ritorn tal-aqwa skorer ta’ kull żmien għall-klabb, Fabrizio Farrugia. Il-preżenza tiegħu tista’ tipprovdi dik l-enerġija fil-linja ta’ quddiem li kienet nieqsa mill-Victorians fl-aħħar logħbiet.
Il-Fair Play Cup serviet bħala test utli ta’ pre-season għall-Victorians, fejn il-plejers wrew organizzazzjoni tajba fuq il-grawnd. Madankollu, in-nuqqas ta’ goals kien punt kruċjali, bil-plejers għadhom ma sabux ix-xibka f’dan l-istaġun. Agius se jkun qed jimbotta lil-plejers biex ikunu aktar deċiżivi fl-attakk, filwaqt li jżommu l-istess spirtu ta’ unità li deher ix-xahar li għadda.
Il-partita kontra l-Gudja Wanderers mhux se tkun waħda faċli, iżda l-ewwel logħba tal-kampjonat dejjem ġġib magħha livell ta’ enerġija u stennija. Għall-Victorians, din hija opportunità biex jistabbilixxu t-ton għall-ġimgħat li ġejjin u juru li huma lesti jikkompetu bis-serjetà f’Division 2.
Barra minn hekk, it-tim se jkun qed ifittex isaħħaħ il-kummenti preċedenti tal-captain Daniel Agius, li qal lill-media tal-MAFA: “Nafu li nistgħu nilagħbu l-futbol u niksbu r-riżultati mixtieqa tagħna. B’dan il-mod, nistgħu nikkompetu mal-avversarji tagħna.”
Il-partitarji se jkunu qed jittamaw li r-ritorn ta’ Farrugia, flimkien mad-determinazzjoni tal-iskwadra, ikunu il-bidu ta’ kampanja promettenti.