Pentagon Prop. Futsal Club

August was a very busy month for everyone involved in our club. Whilst the committee was busy trying to entice sponsorships and bring new players to the club, the coaches were busy getting and analysing new players in view of the final selection of the squad for the new season. While the committee and the coaches met almost every week, the players also did their best during training sessions and friendlies. In order to try out various players, the club participated again in the Siminu Tournament. After losing the first game 2-1 against Los Street Boys (after leading for all almost all the first half with the score of 1-0), our team won the next match 4-3 against Red Marleys and 11-2 against Pieta Futsal and thus qualified for the semi-final against Naxxar Motors who this year are even stronger as they merged with last year's White Eagles. The first half was better player by Naxxar and in fact it ended 2-0 for Naxxar. But in the second half Pentagon Futsal played much better. Our motivation paid well since the score was turned around and Pentagon Futsal won the semi-final 3-2. We will now play River Plate Bidnija in the Final next Friday. Being in the final is already a great result since the squad for this season is still under construction and the main aim of this tournament was to try out the new players.

In mid-July our club started its 8th Futsal Season; the 3rd consecutive in the top M.F.A. 1st Division. The season started with the first official pre-season training session held at De La Salle under the instructions of team-coach Jonathan Pisani and assistant-coach Jason Farrugia. In the coming weeks the coaches will be busy choosing the players for next season and the committee will continue working hard to strengthen the squad, attract new sposnorships and organise complimentary social functions for the players.

On Friday 6th August, the squad will be having the first Get-Together during which the players will be treated to a free dinner at Hard Rock Cafe in Baystreet. We would like to thank in advance Pentagon Properties Ltd., Hard Rock Cafe and all our sponsors for their continous support. 

The current season ended on a positive note for Pentagon Properties B.F.C. with three consecutive wins. These 9 points in the last three matches of the season gave our team the deserved 5th place. Our team didn't make it to be among the top 4 teams for just a couple of points. Unfortunately one can't forget the match against White Eagles played in the 2nd round during which our team was winning till the middle of the 2nd half and then ended losing the match. Winning that match would have not only given us the necessary points to keep us among the top three teams but also had a bad effect on the morale of the team for the consecutive matches.

 Last Thursday the players were invited to an end of season free dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (one of our sponsors) offered by our main sponsor on behalf of the committee. It was a very enjoyable evening with good food and a nice team atmosphere which augurs well for next season. Next match will be towards the end of next month when we play in the quarter finals of the Knockout competition against ZC Excess, which is already an improvement over last year when we were eliminated in the first match of the K.O. competition.  

In the first couple of weeks of February, not only did the team get better results in its friendlies but succeeded to optain a good victory against the promising 2nd Division Team Sliema Bilbao with the score of 3-1 in the Knockout and a 9-1 victory against Jeepers; both of which showed great team effort.The victory in the Knockout propelled our team to the Quarter Finals where we will face ZC Excess which at the moment is in top form after two great concecutive victories against current top placed Paola Downtown which surely put this team among the contenders for the champiosnhip title. Unfortunately against White Eagles, out squad suffered the most undeserved defeat of the season since the team played very well and was already winning 2-0 midway through the first half. The team kept this score till the last 15mins when we conceded three goals in quick succession and lost several chances to score.

After the the convincing victory against Southenders in the first week of January, the team lost the two important matches against the two top teams. In both the game against Paola Downtown and especially against Naxxar Motors, the team played very well but still conceded plenty of goals which surely didn't reflect the performance of the team. Unfortunately these two defeats will make it more difficult for our team to finish amongst the top four teams in the league since the team slipped to 6th place. However the squad is determined to continue working hard in order to improve the present position in the league table. 

Last Tuesday 22nd December, Fluid Diner at Baystreet St. Julians hosted the annual Christmas Get-Together for the players, coaches and the committee together with their families. It was a very enjoyable evening with plenty of laughter and great food. During the event a raffle was organised and Glen was the lucky winner to go home with a nice and abundant Christmas Hamper. At the end of the dinner, gifts from the club were given to Ran and Glen who will be going abroad for some time; as well as to the coach Jonathan Pisani in appreciation for all his effort and dedication. After the latter's speech, the Player of the Month Trophies were presented by the Coach to Brian for the Month of October and Nicola for that of November/December.

November was a bitter sweet month for Pentagon Properties Futsal Team because after the good victories againsr Jeeper F.C. and River Plate Bidnija F.C., the team got defeated twice consecutively against Scandal Futsal first and ZC Excess F.C. after. During these two matches the team did not perform well as during the month of October and instead of fighting for the 1st and 2nd places, the team lost several positions on the league table.

November also saw the loaning of two of the club's players to two 2nd Division clubs till the end of the season when they will return back to our club. However It also saw the arrival of two news players who immediately showed great commitment and dedication towards the club.

For the last game of 2009, Pentagon Prop B.F.C. faced Luxol Amazon Cisco which boasts some excellent and very experienced players. After an unlucky first half which saw our team trailing one nil, we experienced one of the best 2nd half perfomances of the year, which saw the team turn around the score to 4-2 and win the match. It was a well deserved victory by the players, as well as by the coach Jonathan and his assistant Jason. This victory helped the club finish the 2009 in 4th place in the M.F.A. 1st Division Leage Table.

On the 22nd of December the club will be organising its annual Christmas Get-Together at Fluid Diner Baystreet for the players, committee member, family members, partners and friends. Whilst wishing our players, coaches, committee members, sponsors and family members a Happy Christmas, we look forward for a fruitful New Year.

October was quite a positive month for the team. Our first match was againt Paola Downtown which is one of the strongest teams in the first division and currently occupies 1st place. This match was quite thrilling and ended nil nil. Although the team lost its 2nd match against Naxxar Motors who are currently second places, the match served the team well to work harder to improve. Thus as a consequence our team won the following 3 consecutive matches against White Eagles, Jeepers and River Plate Bidnija. These victories propelled our club to 3rd Place.

As regards social activities, the club organised its annual Team Presentation at Hard Rock Cafe towards the end of September during which the players and guests were entertained to a variety of dips, finger foods and wine. After the successful barbeque at the Blue Hawai Bar in August, the players and their guests were invited in Mid-October for a Pasta Night at the same bar during which a pasta buffet was served as well as wine. Entertainment on this evening was provided by Zoo.  

Between the 19^th and 20^th September, Pentagon Properties B.F.C. participated in the 10^th Edition of the Memorial “Amico Ale” upon the invitation by the Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica di Messina. Most of the participating futsal teams play in the Serie A and B Italian futsal leagues. Over 200 players participated in this tournament which was played in the magnificent indoor pavilion of Messina which has a seating capacity of 3,000 people and incorporates six dressing rooms with showers, as well as a small indoor court which was used for warming up sessions. Considering the high level of the teams, Pentagon Properties B.F.C., did relatively well and utilized all the players who travelled to Sicily. In the first match Pentagon Properties B.F.C. lost 2-1, with both of the opposing goals coming from free shots and its goal being scored by Nicola Del Re. In the second match against Messina Sporting Pelora, Pentagon Properties B.F.C. lost 3-0. One has to keep in mind that not only was the Messina squad playing at home but they ended up playing the final which they lost against the Serie A team of Augusta. In the last match Pentagon Prop. B.F.C. played a great game and drew 1-1 with its goal coming from a free kick by Frankie Xerri. This game was played against one of the teams which qualified to the Semi-Final. The Maltese futsal squad received a lot of positive comments from those present; some of whom highlighted the excellent organization of the club as well as the tactical discipline and organization showed on the pitch.   

During their stay, the players were hosted in a four-star hotel in Messina also having the opportunity to have a two hour training session in the mentioned indoor pavilion, as well as attend tactical sessions in one of the conference rooms of the hotel. They also had some free time touring Messina. The committee of the team presented the organizing committee with Glass Souvenirs from Malta and mementos of the club, while all the teams who played against Pentagon Proprties B.F.C. were presented with a banner of the club. This first experience in an international futsal tournament was not only a unique opportunity for team-building amongst the players but also a great learning experience for the squad and one augurs that it will not be the last. Pentagon Properties Futsal Club would like to thank Virtu Ferries Ltd. and its Glass Creations of Ta’ Qali for their great support.

After having accepted the invitation of the "Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica" of Messina last month, Pentagon Properties B.F.C. will participate in the "Memorial Alessandro La Mendola 'Amico Ale'" which will take place next weekend. The players, coach & club officials will travel to Messina by Catamaran in the early hours of Saturday 19th September and come back to Malta late in the evening on Monday 21st September. Our games will be played on Sunday 20th at the Palarescifina of Messina in the presence of the Messina Mayor and other Italian civil and sport dignatories. Over 150 players will be participating in this sport manifestation. The Tournament will be covered by the main Sicilian newspapers and private T.V. stations. On behalf of the squad, the committee would like to thank Virtu Ferries Ltd for their support.  

The team presentation for the next 1st Divison Futsal season will be held next Thursday 17th September at Hard Rock Cafe in Baystreet St. Julians with an "after-party event" held afterwards at the Blue Hawai Bar in St. Julians Bay. During the presentation, the players selected to be part of the Pentagon Properties B.F.C. squad will be presented with the Home and Away Kits, as well as with the training kits, T-shirts, Tracksuits and Team Bags. 

On Monday 24th August, the new internationally established Futsal National Coach Vic Hermans -invitation and came to watch our friendly. The committee was very glad to meet up and discuss futsal issues with Mr. Hermans. We look forward to meet him again at our next friendly. We wish him the best of luck for his new challenge with the National Futsal Team. 

Pentagon Properties B.F.C. has recently accepted the invitation of the "Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica" of Messina to participate in the "Memorial Alessandro La Mendola 'Amico Ale'". This two-day Futsal Tournament will take place in Messina on the 19th and 20th of September and various Italian team will take part. Watch out this page for more information.  

The September Training and Events Programme has been emailed (a hard copy to be given next Monday) to the players outlining the time and location of the various training session and friendlies planned for September. The programme also includes the details of the Team Presentation to be held at Hard Rock Cafe. In this annual event, kits and gifts from some of our sponsors will be handed out to the players who would have been chosen by the coach to be part of the Squad for the next season. It also contains details regarding our participation in the two-tournament in Sicily next month. Such an event will surely help to continue building upon the committed and friendly atmosphere present already among the team players making up this practically new Squad, since it includes a majority of new players led by a new coach!   

 The first social event of the season was a Barbeque held on Thursday 6th August t the Blue Hawaii Bar in St. Julians Bay. The successful event was organised for the players, coach, sponsors, as well as for their family and friends. During the event, the players and their guests got to know more each other in an informal & relaxed atmosphere which helped to reinforce more the team spirit among the players. (Refer to the Photo Gallery section to view the Photos.) Similar events will be organised in the future. The next social event will be the official team presentation for the new season which will be again held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Baystreet. During the presenation the offical home & away kits, tracksuits, t-shirts and bags will be given to the selected players who will make up the squad...Payers will also get some nice surprises.......more info to follow   

Today the players of our squad were given a detailed programme of the pre-season training-sessions. The coach explained the programme to the players before starting the training session. The programme includes two intensive and interesting training sessions with the ball involving a variety of innovative games every week. It also includes workout sessions at the Gym and indoor pool (complete with jacuzzi & sauna) of a five-star hotel. Also included in the August training programme are a number of friendlies as well as a one-day tournament.

As announced in the players' meeting last month, this week Pentagon Properties B.F.C. started its Pre-Season Training under the guidance of its new coach Jonathan Pisani. The Pre-Season Training Schedule given to the players is made up of very well-prepared training sessions at an Indoor Pavilion as well as of Gym & Pool Sessions at a 5-Star Hotel (refer to the photo gallery section for more photos). This month the main social event of the squad will be a barbeque for the players, the coach, the committee, the sponsors as well as their family & friends.  

This year's players meeting was held by at the Hard Rock Cafe in St. Julians. After some short speeches from the Committee Members and from the main sponsor, the squad was addressed by our new coach Mr. Jonathan Pisani. During his speech the coach explained the training programme and addressed many issues which had been previously discussed with the committee; namely commitment, dedication, discipline and organisation. After addressing some questions from the players, the committee wrapped up the evening with a concluding speech, in which they wished the squad a successfull season and thanked the players and the new coach for the enthusiam they are already showing. All those present were then treated by the club to some light refreshments, dips, apetizers, beer and wine. Next appointment will be the first training session led by our new coach!.........The new project has started!    

Preparations for the MFA Futsal First Division Season 2009-2010 are in full swing! The committee is working hard to prepare for next season during which the team will aim to do better than last season in which the team placed 4th in its first season in the First Division. The players' meeting has been announced to the players who will form part of the new strong squad which will be led by a very well prepared and dedicated Futsal Coach who will be announced during the meeting.  Training will start in the first week of July.