Malta’s Beach Soccer Team To Make Historic Debut Against Hosts Moldova In Euro League
Maltese footballers are gearing up for a historic debut in the world of Beach Soccer as they fly to Moldova for the European Beach Soccer League next week.
Led by head coach Marco Casarsa, the reds take on hosts Moldova in their first match. They will then face the likes of Romania and England in the following two days.
The event is unchartered territory for the team. But Malta’s first international test has been on the cards since 2020.
“The boys have worked really hard,” Casarsa said. “They showed a great attitude in the four stages (training camps) conducted that included in-depth drills at times, to be well prepared for these tough matches coming up.”
Casarsa added that Malta’s international debut is not going to be one done for participation’s sake alone. Indeed, our boys are en route to satisfy a craving for some positive results.
The player’s efforts leading up to this moment were also commended by Mark Marlow, the Association’s Beach Soccer chief, in the wake of several stunning domestic displays the team has shown over the last few years.
Casarsa, however, outlined that the gap in quality between domestic and international play will yet remain.
Beach soccer is very similar to traditional football, except for the obvious difference in that it is played on the sand.
There are some differences in the rules too. Beach soccer matches are divided into three 12-minute periods with a three-minute break in between. Unlike FIFA World Football, the game clock is paused in the event of a goal, foul, or injury.
Each team will have five players on the pitch (including one goalkeeper) and seven substitutes who can be brought in and taken off as often as the coach wishes.
Another interesting fact about beach soccer is that there are no draws. You either win or lose. Extra time is used in the event of a draw to determine the outcome of the match.
Malta will kick off on Wednesday 27th July at 6.30pm.
Go Malta!