Premier stats: 300 MPL matches for Michael Mifsud

Match day 10 of the 2021/22 BOV Premier Division brought us again some interesting facts and figures, from two 17-year-old debutants with Balzan and Hamrun, to 40-year-old ex-Malta international Michael Mifsud, who finally played his 300th Premier Division match. It is another wonderful milestone for the Mosta striker in his impressive career, a remarkable feat realising that he spent no less than ten seasons abroad. Mifsud has another record within reach, as he has now appeared in 789 official international and domestic games at senior level, eleven appearances away from becoming the first Maltese player ever to play 800 official career matches! 2 – Another two young players made their Premier Division debut last weekend. Gabriel Diego Farrugia, aged 17, was a late substitution for Balzan in their match against Hibernians while Hamrun Spartans and Malta Under-18 forward Shaisen Attard made his first senior appearance in Hamrun’s match agains Santa Lucia. Attard just turned 17 last month.   20 – Hibernians’ midfielder Jake Grech became the 20th Maltese to be voted best player of the match. It was also his 4th accolade of the season.    20 – Hamrun Spartans forward Soufiane Lagzir converted a spotkick in the 3-0 win against Santa Lucia, which was the 20th converted penalty in the MPL this season.   30 – Romanian striker Bogdan Gavrila became the 30th player to be named  best player of the match for the winning teams this season. He was the stand-out player in Sirens’ 2-1 victory against Floriana.   50 – Birkirkara’s stiker Luke Montebello bagged a brace in a 2-0 win over Sliema Wanderers. It was the 50th MPL match in which he put his name on the scoring sheet.   150 – Sirens’ midfielder Carlo Zammit Lonardelli netted the 150th goal of this season. He broked the deadlock in a 2-1win over Floriana at Tony Bezzina Stadium. This was also his first ever official goal at senior level.  300 – Former international striker Michael Mifsud has achieved the milestone of 300 appearances in the top division in Mosta’s 3-1 defeat against Valletta. After having made his MPL debut on 15th March 1998 in Sliema Wanderers’ 0-0 draw against Hamrun Spartans, he went on to play 128 matches for the Blues, 111 for Valletta, 35 for Birkirkara, 12 for Mosta, 9 for Sirens and 5 for Qormi. Mifsud became the 56th player to reach 300 top level appearances in Malta.  300 – Defender Andrei Agius became the 300th player to be yellow-carded this season. He was cautioned in the 50th minute for holding an opponent in Hibernians’ 2-1 victory over Balzan.   400 – Mosta’s Jake Vassallo became the 400th substitute of the season. In the 3-1 defeat against Valletta, Vassallo entered the field of play in the beginning of the second half to replace Mehdi Hetemaj.