Naxxar Victorians made their first appearance of the new season in the Twanny Agius Fair Play Cup, a triangular tournament contested by last season’s fair play winners of each MAFA division. Representing Division Three, the Victorians faced stern opposition in Ta’ Giorni Wanderers from Division Two and Division One side Senglea Gunners.
Despite a spirited effort and several debut appearances, the team ended their campaign with two defeats, finishing third in the competition.
Defeat to Ta’ Giorni Wanderers
The opening match saw Naxxar Victorians fall to a 2–0 defeat against Ta’ Giorni Wanderers. The fixture was the team’s first outing of the season and featured several new faces. Facundo Rolando started in goal, with Owen Caruana, Khalid Musa, and Gabriel Scerri all making their debuts. There was also a welcome return for defender Antonio Dattoli and wing-back Jonathan Cutajar, both of whom returned to the starting line-up.
The match got off to a difficult start as Ta’ Giorni took the lead after just nine minutes with a long-range strike. Moments later, the team suffered a further blow when attacking midfielder Takuma Nagai was forced off with a head injury. He was replaced by fellow Japanese player Ryo Hida.
Early in the second half, defender Braydon Aquilina also left the field following a facial injury, replaced by club captain Daniel Agius. Soon after, coach Jake Agius introduced Maverick Grech, Owen Agius, and new signing Jake Cachia. Despite the fresh legs, Naxxar were unable to find a way back into the match, and Ta’ Giorni sealed victory with a second goal late on.
Brave Showing Against Senglea Gunners
With only a win enough to keep qualification hopes alive, the Victorians faced an uphill task against Division One side Senglea Gunners in their second match.
Coach Agius made four changes to the starting 11. Injured Braydon Aquilina was replaced by Daniel Agius, while Ryoma Sasaki, Julian Micallef, and Ryo Hida also came into the line-up. Takuma Nagai courageously returned to action with his head strapped after his earlier injury.
Despite the step up in class, the team gave a valiant display, working hard to frustrate Senglea. Goalkeeper Facundo Rolando produced several key interventions, but the Gunners broke through twice in one-on-one situations to clinch a 2–0 victory.
Looking Ahead
Although the results did not go the team’s way, the Twanny Agius Fair Play Cup gave the Victorians the chance to test themselves against higher-level opposition. The tournament also allowed several players to make their debut and for returning players to reintegrate into the squad.
Coach Jake Agius will now turn his focus to the upcoming MAFA Division Three season, where the Victorians will look to build on this experience and aim for stronger results as the campaign unfolds from October onwards.
Naxxar Victorians bdew l-istaġun il-ġdid bit-tieni parteċipazzjoni tagħhom fit-Twanny Agius Fair Play Cup, kompetizzjoni triangolari bejn ir-rebbieħa tal-premju Fair Play minn kull diviżjoni tal-MAFA. Bħala rappreżentanti tat-Tielet Diviżjoni, il-Victorians kellhom jiffaċċjaw sfidi diffiċli kontra Ta’ Giorni Wanderers mit- Tieni Diviżjoni u Senglea Gunners mill- Ewwel Diviżjoni.
Minkejja l-isforzi tagħhom u d-debutti ta’ diversi plejers ġodda, il-Victorians temmew il-vjaġġ tagħhom b’żewġ telfiet u spiċċaw fit-tielet post.
Telfa kontra Ta’ Giorni Wanderers
Il-partita tal-ftuħ rat lill-Victorians jitilfu 2–0 kontra Ta’ Giorni Wanderers. Din kienet l-ewwel dehra tal-istaġun u kienet ukoll okkażjoni importanti għal diversi debuttanti. Facundo Rolando beda bejn il-lasti, filwaqt li Owen Caruana, Khalid Musa u Gabriel Scerri għamlu l-ewwel dehra tagħhom mal-klub. Kien hemm ukoll ir-ritorn ta’ Antonio Dattoli u Jonathan Cutajar mal-ewwel ħdax.
Il-bidu kien wieħed impenjattiv hekk kif Ta’ Giorni fetħu l-iskor wara disa’ minuti b’xutt qawwi minn barra l-kaxxa. Ftit wara waslet daqqa oħra għall-Victorians meta l-midfielder offensiv Takuma Nagai kellu jħalli l-grawnd minħabba injury f’rasu u kien sostitwit minn Ryo Hida.
Kmieni fit-tieni taqsima, id-difensur Braydon Aquilina kellu wkoll jinbidel wara daqqa f’wiċċu u minfloku daħal Daniel Agius. Ftit tal-minuti wara, il-kowċ Jake Agius għamel bidliet oħra permezz ta’ Maverick Grech, Owen Agius u l-plejer ġdid Jake Cachia. Madankollu, il-bidliet ma tawx ir-riżultat mixtieq u Ta’ Giorni skurjaw t-tieni gowl tagħhom lejn it-tmiem.
Wirja kuraġġuża kontra Senglea Gunners
Bil-ħtieġa ta’ rebħa biex jibqgħu fil-kompetizzjoni, il-Victorians kellhom sfida ferm iktar diffiċli kontra Senglea Gunners mill-Ewwel Diviżjoni.
Il-kowċ Agius għamel erba’ bidliet fil-formazzjoni. Daniel Agius beda flok Braydon Aquilina li baqa’ barra, filwaqt li Ryoma Sasaki, Julian Micallef u Ryo Hida wkoll daħlu mill-bidu. Minkejja li sofra injury aktar kmieni, Takuma Nagai lagħab xorta waħda b’rastu mgeżwra.
Il-Victorians wrew dixxiplina u determinazzjoni kontra avversarju ta’ livell ogħla. Il-goalkeeper Rolando waqqaf diversi azzjonijiet importanti, iżda Senglea rnexxielhom jiksbu żewġ gowls minn sitwazzjonijiet ta’ kontra wieħed kontra wieħed, li kienu biżżejjed biex ħarġu rebbieħa 2–0.
Ħarsa ’l quddiem
Għalkemm ir-riżultati ma ġewx kif xtaq it-tim, il-parteċipazzjoni fit-Twanny Agius Fair Play Cup kienet opportunità biex il-Victorians jittestjaw lilhom infushom kontra oppożizzjoni ta’ livell ogħla. Din ukoll kienet okkażjoni biex diversi plejers jagħmlu d-debutt tagħhom u oħrajn jerġgħu jintegraw mal-iskwadra.
Il-kowċ Jake Agius issa jħares lejn l-istaġun li jmiss tat-Tieni Diviżjoni tal-MAFA, fejn il-Victorians se jfittxu li jibnu fuq din l-esperjenza u jiksbu riżultati aħjar fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin.