Naxxar Victorians

Coach Kyle Debono, who took over the Naxxar Victorians squad back in September is expecting a second round in which the side fights for a top-three spot in the MAFA Division Two standings. Speaking to www.naxxarvictorians.com, the former Victorians player discusses the 2021-22 season…

Debono, formerly part of the squad as a player until 2020, returned to another role for the new season, guiding the team to three wins before the start of the MAFA Division Two’s second round.

“As many people know, I was a player in the squad until two years ago, until I decided to hang up my boots. So it’s definitely an exciting challenge for me to coach this team,” Debono said, “Everyone within the club, players, and staff, know that I love this club and I have a special place in my heart for Naxxar Victorians.”

Ups and downs

Asked about his involvement at the club, Debono said he was aware of the situation of the club regarding the first set of matches of the season.

“Considering our ups and downs, I knew what the downs were when I agreed with the club’s committee to take care of coaching,” he explained.

“We worked in a certain way but we had to change our ways since the downs were bigger than the ups. We took action, and immediately, we began to see results come our way. The team was more united and we set a number of rules which determined the discipline that the team needs in order to take things seriously.

“Our first games showed us where we are on the pitch, but from there the players decided to show what they know and they got their best record -the team now has as many points as the entirety of their best season in just the first round this season.

“The team has done well and is working harder than ever.”

Team dynamic

The team added no less than eight new players this season, to improve an already good basis of players who have been with the club for more than two years – the latest being Luke Pecorella, Jeremy Busuttil, Daniel Camilleri, and goalkeeper Etienne Lia.

“Last season, the team lost a bunch of players due to the COVID-19 situation. But they have returned. The team continued to add fresh players to the group up until the end of January. I’m surprised by how it worked. Everyone welcomed the new players and some of them made a huge impact,” the Victorians coach said.

“The Pecorella brothers – James and Luke – have in some way showed everyone a huge will to fight until the last minute. Luke Bugeja has got a touch of class in the middle of the field when on top of his game. But what has really gelled the team is putting the old guard in their right position. Keith (Zammit) found his best position to be a centre-midfield, we have found Jonathan (Cutajar) to be a natural centre-back, and Nathan (Farrugia) plays outstanding football at Centre-defensive-midfield. “This has made a huge difference in the team’s dynamic.

“Also, the team needed a new football identity. We have been training to play a different kind of football since the start of the season. It was a difficult road but we have now seen what the team is capable of doing when concentrating hard throughout the full match.”

Round two

With tough matches against highflyers San Gwann Pro Academy and Zebbug Youngsters coming up, the team will have to dig deep to turn around tough losses to the two sides in the first round. Despite the tough round that awaits, Debono says his aim is a top-three finish.

“Obviously, I would like to finish the second round in the top three. It’s not an impossible task, seeing that the team is getting better and better after every match,” he said.

“I can’t wait for the team to start our second round to see the team fighting at the top of their game against the giants of the second division of MAFA.

“But the main key is togetherness, when the team is separated and not addressing internal problems, it will usually lead to a downfall in the dressing room. I’m happy that the committee confronts these problems immediately and in a professional manner.”