Former Sliema player Aquilina passes away
Scored against Greece in historic 2-0 win at Gzira stadium
The death was announced yesterday of former Malta and Sliema Wanderers midfielder Ritchie Aquilina. He passed away, aged 52, at Capua Hospital after battling bravely against serious illness for several months.
During his career Aquilina, brother of current Sliema coach Edward, played for the Wanderers and helped the side to various honours, mainly during the 70s.
He was also the team's top scorer in season 1975-76 with nine goals from 18 matches. In that year, Sliema won the league title and Aquilina scored the second goal in a 2-1 victory over Floriana, a decisive match that practically tilted the balance in favour of the Blues.
Many football followers of that era remember Aquilina as a combative player on the bone-hard old Gzira stadium, the venue where he scored perhaps the most memorable goal in his career when the national team beat Greece 2-0 in a European Championship qualifier way back in February 1975.
That was Malta's first ever positive result in international competitive football.
'The Maltese rose magnificently for the occasion and two fine goals by Ritchie Aquilina and Vincent 'Maxi' Magro gave Malta a historic victory' wrote Carmel Baldacchino in his book Goals, Cups and Tears.
Thirty years ago, national team football was not as frequent as in these days. Aquilina went on to play eight times for Malta, seven of which in the European Championship. He made another appearance in a 2-2 friendly at home versus Libya.
Aquilina made his debut for the national team in a European Championship qualifier at home against West Germany on December 22, 1974.
He came on as a substitute for his brother Edward in a match which finished 1-0 for the Germans.
Sliema Wanderers FC president Robert Arrigo has fond memories of Aquilina. Besides a common sporting love for the club, the two were school mates.
"This is a sad loss for his family foremost, the club and all those who knew Ritchie," Mr Arrigo said.
"We've been friends since our school days at St Aloysius College. He was such a great character and everyone loved him.
"In football he was a classy player... he had something different from the rest.
"We all admired him for the way he responded to his illness this past year or so. Ritchie was a great Sliema fan and followed the team whenever it was possible for him to do so. We shall cherish all good memories of him for the rest of our lives."
The funeral will be held today at the Jesus of Nazareth parish church Sliema at 2 p.m.