After securing a place in the qualifying round of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the women’s national team, led by coach Pierre Brincat, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat.

The officials, coaches and players spoke with the Prime Minister about the team’s achievement despite the fact that Malta has been competing at international level only just over a decade ago.

Qormi will be aiming for a place in the final of the U*BET FA Trophy final for the third time in four years as they take on First Division side Lija Athletic in the first semi-final on Friday, at the National Stadium, kick-off at 19:30.

After finishing second in the Relegation Pool, Qormi are now fully focussed on making it to the final and hoping to be third-time lucky after losing 1-2 to Valletta in the 2010 final and to Hibernians 1-3 last year.

Birkirkara defender Edward Herrera was handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after collecting a fourth yellow card in the BOV Premier League championship decider against Hibernians last Saturday.

First Division sides Tarxien Rainbows, Gozo, Pembroke Athleta and Hibernians and Second Division sides Kirkop United and St. Venera Yellow Blues joined Mosta and Birkirkara in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Knock-Out 2012/13.

In Friday’s quarter-finals, Tarxien Rainbows take on St. Venera Yellow Blues, Mosta face Hibernians, Gozo meet Kirkop United while Birkirkara take on Pembroke Athleta.

Three players from the Justin Haber Academy (JHA) elite squad have just spent a week’s training at Sunderland AFC’s (SAFC) academy, The Academy of Light.

The Academy of Light boasts state of the art facilities, and has recently been awarded the Category 1 Status within the Elite Player Performance Plan.

Players Leo Agius (10), Steve Farrugia (12), and Nathan Vella (13) were selected by JHA permanent head-coach Steve McClarence and SAFC International Development Coach Gordon Chisholm, and trained under professional SAFC coaches.