The second season at the Buzu Soccer School got underway recently with some 200 young footballers all vying to improve their skills under the tutelage of qualified personnel at the St Martin's Sports Complex, Swatar.

Under the expert charge of former Malta skipper Carmel Busuttil, the head coach of the school currently hitting the headlines as the former midfield ace is mentioned to be pondering a comeback on the field of play, the popular football organisation has again seen an influx of young hopefuls during the trial periods.

The youngsters were all aspiring to impress and earn a place in the school where football comes first as focus is laid on individuals and group integration alike.

Busuttil, il-Buzu, coordinates all training sessions and selects his men carefully. The first season was a total success as most of the objectives were reached. This time around the school intends to do even better and more trials are in store as the season unfolds.

Among the coaches at the Buzu Soccer School one again finds the likes of Guentcho Dobrev, the former Malta coach, and Stefan Sultana, the Hamrun Spartans striker.

Pietà Hotspurs goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin is also part of the staff along with former Malta international J.J. Aquilina.

A new addition this year is John Buttigieg, another ex-Malta stalwart who hung up his boots in summer and opted for coaching.

London tournament

Busuttil and Buttigieg both spent part of their careers playing abroad, besides figuring in 208 internationals for Malta between them.

Their contribution to the game could never go unnoticed and recently they were both invited to play in a lucrative six-a-side international tournament which takes place on Sunday at the London Arena.

Sanctioned by the European Union, the one-day competition has attracted an array of great talent over the past two decades with the likes of Glenn Hoddle, Marco van Basten, Ian Rush, Emilio Butragueno and Chris Waddle among those taking part.

Busuttil and Buttigieg, who were invited by the English FA, will figure in the southern region team along with players from Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Portugal and Bulgaria.

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