Ian Azzopardi
Encyclopedia
Ian Azzopardi is a Maltese
footballer who currently plays for Maltese Premier League
side Valletta
, where he plays as a defender
.
.
Ian went into the 2001–02 season in search of more first team football, as he hoped to break into the first team; however the season turned out to be a carbon copy of the previous one, with Azzopardi again making two appearances and scoring no goals, as Floriana finished in 6th position in the Maltese Premier League.
For the 2002–03 season, Azzopardi established himself as the club's first-team left back, and even forced his way into the Maltese international football team
. Ian made a total of 20 appearances during the season, but again failed to find the net, as Floriana recorded a 7th-place finish in the Maltese Premier League.
With the profile of Azzopardi growing, and a character known by all as a very quite and humble person, he continued to impress in a Floriana shirt, making 26 appearances, but again failed to score, as Floriana finished the 2003–04 season in 5th place.
For the 2004–05 season, Azzopardi had firmly cemented the left back position as his own, as he made 22 appearances and even scored his first league goal, but Floriana finished one worse than the previous season with a 6th-place finish in the Maltese Premier League
.
Azzopardi went into the 2005–06 season looking to try to achieve some glory with Floriana, but the team went on to finish in 7th position. Ian made 18 appearances, but managed to notch two goals to help the team's cause.
For the 2006–07 season, Azzopardi continued his good form, but again Floriana could only manage another 7th place finish, with Azzopardi making 22 appearances and scoring one goal.
football, Ian Azzopardi decided in June 2007, to move onto Sliema Wanderers
following the end of his Floriana contract.
Azzopardi began his Sliema Wanderers
career at the start of the 2007–08 season. Ian very quickly established himself as the clubs regular first team left back. In his first season Ian made a total of 21 appearances but failed to score any goals, as Sliema Wanderers
recored a 3rd place finish in the Maltese Premier League
.
Ian's second season (2008–09) with Sliema Wanderers
was even more productive, as Ian made 24 appearances and scored his first goal for the club, and although Sliema Wanderers
finished one position lower in 4th, than the previous season, Azzopardi got his hands on his first piece of silverware as Sliema Wanderers
defeated Valletta
to win the U*Bet FA Trophy
.
For the 2009–10 season, Ian had competition in the left back position, following the signing of Clayton Failla
from Hibernians
. Ian scored his first goal of the season on 24 January 2010, as he added his teams third goal, in a 3-1 victory over Dingli Swallows.
-
Azzopardi received his first cap for Malta
on 14 December 2003 in a match against Poland
.
Ian scored his first goal, and the opening goal on 20 August 2008, in a 1–2 defeat to Estonia
in a Friendly match.
On 9 September 2009, Azzopardi scored an own goal
in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
against Sweden
, which Malta
went on to lose 1-0.
|-
|2000-01
||rowspan="7"|Floriana||rowspan="11"|Maltese Premier League
||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2001-02
||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2002-03
||20||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||20||0
|-
|2003-04
||26||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||26||0
|-
|2004-05
||22||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||22||1
|-
|2005-06
||18||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||18||2
|-
|2006-07
||22||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||22||1
|-
|2007-08
||rowspan="3"|Sliema Wanderers
||21||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||21||0
|-
|2008-09
||24||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||24||1
|-
|2009-10||28||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||28||2
|-
|2010-11||rowspan="1"|Valletta
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
185||7||0||0||0||0||0||0||185||7
185||7||0||0||0||0||0||0||185||7
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
footballer who currently plays for Maltese Premier League
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
side Valletta
Valletta F.C.
Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
, where he plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Floriana
Ian Azzopardi began his career with Floriana as a trainee, and made his debut for Floriana during the 2000–01 season. Azzopardi notched up just two appearances, but failed to score any goals, as he helped his side to a 5th-place finish in the Maltese Premier LeagueMaltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
.
Ian went into the 2001–02 season in search of more first team football, as he hoped to break into the first team; however the season turned out to be a carbon copy of the previous one, with Azzopardi again making two appearances and scoring no goals, as Floriana finished in 6th position in the Maltese Premier League.
For the 2002–03 season, Azzopardi established himself as the club's first-team left back, and even forced his way into the Maltese international football team
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
. Ian made a total of 20 appearances during the season, but again failed to find the net, as Floriana recorded a 7th-place finish in the Maltese Premier League.
With the profile of Azzopardi growing, and a character known by all as a very quite and humble person, he continued to impress in a Floriana shirt, making 26 appearances, but again failed to score, as Floriana finished the 2003–04 season in 5th place.
For the 2004–05 season, Azzopardi had firmly cemented the left back position as his own, as he made 22 appearances and even scored his first league goal, but Floriana finished one worse than the previous season with a 6th-place finish in the Maltese Premier League
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
.
Azzopardi went into the 2005–06 season looking to try to achieve some glory with Floriana, but the team went on to finish in 7th position. Ian made 18 appearances, but managed to notch two goals to help the team's cause.
For the 2006–07 season, Azzopardi continued his good form, but again Floriana could only manage another 7th place finish, with Azzopardi making 22 appearances and scoring one goal.
Sliema Wanderers
With Floriana continually failing to seriously challenge some of their biggest rivals in MalteseMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
football, Ian Azzopardi decided in June 2007, to move onto Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
following the end of his Floriana contract.
Azzopardi began his Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
career at the start of the 2007–08 season. Ian very quickly established himself as the clubs regular first team left back. In his first season Ian made a total of 21 appearances but failed to score any goals, as Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
recored a 3rd place finish in the Maltese Premier League
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
.
Ian's second season (2008–09) with Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
was even more productive, as Ian made 24 appearances and scored his first goal for the club, and although Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
finished one position lower in 4th, than the previous season, Azzopardi got his hands on his first piece of silverware as Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
defeated Valletta
Valletta F.C.
Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
to win the U*Bet FA Trophy
Maltese Cup
The U Bet FA Trophy, formerly known as the Rothman's Trophy, is a football competition that takes place in Malta.Widely known as the F.A. Trophy, it was a gift from the British by The Football Association in 1933. This followed a match between England and Italy, played in Rome in May 1933, to where...
.
For the 2009–10 season, Ian had competition in the left back position, following the signing of Clayton Failla
Clayton Failla
Clayton Failla is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Sliema Wanderers, where he plays as a midfielder and occasionally as a defender.-St. Patrick:...
from Hibernians
Hibernians F.C.
Hibernians F.C. is a Maltese football club hailing from the town of Paola, Malta. It is one of the top football teams in Malta. The club was founded in 1922, but football in Paola, Raħal Ġdid in Maltese, dates back to 1894. The team has a long successful story in its history. Hibernians has always...
. Ian scored his first goal of the season on 24 January 2010, as he added his teams third goal, in a 3-1 victory over Dingli Swallows.
-
Malta
Azzopardi received his first cap for MaltaMalta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
on 14 December 2003 in a match against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
.
Ian scored his first goal, and the opening goal on 20 August 2008, in a 1–2 defeat to Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in a Friendly match.
On 9 September 2009, Azzopardi scored an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 1
The 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 1 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised 2006 fourth-place finishers Portugal, along with Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania and Malta....
against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
, which Malta
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
went on to lose 1-0.
International goals
Career statistics
Statistics accurate as of match played 1 August 2009.|-
|2000-01
Maltese Premier League 2000-01
-First stage:-Championship Group:-Relegation Group:-References:*...
||rowspan="7"|Floriana||rowspan="11"|Maltese Premier League
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2001-02
Maltese Premier League 2001-02
-First stage:-Championship Group:-Relegation Group:-References:*...
||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
|2002-03
Maltese Premier League 2002-03
-First stage:-Championship Group:-Relegation Group:-References:*...
||20||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||20||0
|-
|2003-04
Maltese Premier League 2003-04
-First stage:-Championship Group:-Relegation Group:-References:*...
||26||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||26||0
|-
|2004-05
Maltese Premier League 2004-05
-First stage:-Championship Group:-Relegation Group:-References:*...
||22||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||22||1
|-
|2005-06
Maltese Premier League 2005-06
-First stage:-Championship Group:-Relegation Group:-References:*...
||18||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||18||2
|-
|2006-07
Maltese Premier League 2006-07
The Maltese Premier League 2006-07 was the 92nd season of the Maltese Premier League, the top level Football league in Malta. Marsaxlokk won the title while St. George's and Marsa were relegated to the Maltese First Division.-Changes from 2005-06:...
||22||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||22||1
|-
|2007-08
Maltese Premier League 2007-08
The Maltese Premier League 2007–08 was the 93rd season of the Maltese Premier League, the top level Football league in Malta. Valletta won the title while Mqabba and Pieta Hotspurs were relegated to the first-division.-Changes from 2006-07:...
||rowspan="3"|Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
||21||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||21||0
|-
|2008-09
Maltese Premier League 2008-09
The Maltese Premier League 2008–09 was the 94th season of the Maltese Premier League, the top-tier football in Malta. It began on 23 August 2008 with a scoreless draw between and and ended on 24 May 2009. The first goal in the season was scored by Ivan, who plays for Qormi...
||24||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||24||1
|-
|2009-10||28||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||28||2
|-
|2010-11||rowspan="1"|Valletta
Valletta F.C.
Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
185||7||0||0||0||0||0||0||185||7
185||7||0||0||0||0||0||0||185||7