Agrigento Calcio beat Hibernians at Luxol final
Sporting objectives reached says Psaila
Tommaso Leone, Agrigento Calcio captain, became the first player to lift the Luxol Challenge Trophy last week after his team won the final against Hibernians in the first St Andrew’s Christmas International Tournament held at the Luxol Stadium.
After beating Hibernians narrowly by a solitary goal in a balanced Group A qualifier, Agrigento Calcio went over to win the final against the Paola boys with a convincing 8-1 scoreline.
Hibernians were still very much in it with the score 1-2 against them in the opening half.
They fought bravely, as they did throughout the youth tournament, but then, when Agrigento headed seriously for goal, it was a one-way traffic affair.
Agrigento topped Group A winning all their matches. Hibernians, who only lost against the Sicilians, were the runners-up.
Mosta finished second to Raith Rovers in Group B.
The Blues, however, beat the Scots 2-1 in their last match before the knock-out phase.
Mosta were the only local side to play against Agrigento and Raith in the tournament.
Results of the last two days of the tournament:
(Group A) Hibs vs Agrigento 0-1, Valletta vs St Andrew’s 3-3.
(Group B) Melita vs Raith Rovers 0-3, Mosta vs Raith Rovers 2-1, Tarxien vs Raith Rovers 0-5.
(Semi-finals) Agrigento vs Mosta 3-0, Hibernians vs Raith Rovers 2-1.
(Final) Agrigento vs Hibernians 8-1.
During the week-long football festival, the teams in all three categories contested played 55 matches and produced 289 goals.
Sixty goals were scored in the 15 matches played in the 1997 category and only seven yellow cards were shown.
Addressing the finalists at the presentations ceremony, official Pippo Psaila said that looking back at the statistics of this first international tournament at the Luxol Stadium, objectives, in respect to Fair Play and goals, were reached.
Officials from Agrigento Calcio and Raith Rovers, who are willing to return next season, praised the organisation of the tournament and were also impressed with the good standard of the Maltese referees.
In fact, Psaila praised the Malta FA officials, for their five-star refereeing during the tournament. He also thanked all participants, who contributed to give the tournament a very positive start.
Among the distinguished personalities present for the occasion were Malta FA president Norman Darmanin Demajo and Fr Hillary Tagliaferro. At the end of the closing speeches, Fr Hillary presented the Luxol Challenge Trophy to Agrigento.