Brian Said (born 15 May 1973 in Valletta, Malta) is a retired footballer currently managing Maltese First Division side St. Andrews, and captain of the Luxol St Andrew's Veteran Team, where he plays as a defender.

Brian Said
Personal information
Full name Brian Said
Date of birth (1973-05-15) 15 May 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth Valletta, Malta
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1994 Luxol St. Andrews 51 (10)
1994–1995Birkirkara Luxol (loan) 17 (1)
1995–2001 Floriana 119 (6)
2001–2008 Sliema Wanderers 181 (14)
2008–2009 Marsaxlokk 24 (2)
2009–2011 Floriana 39 (2)
2011-2015 Luxol St. Andrews 86 (5)
Total 517 (40)
International career
1989-1990 Malta U16 7 (1)
1989-1993 Malta U18 3 (0)
1992-1995 Malta U21 22 (0)
1996–2009 Malta 89 (5)
2004–2006 Malta XI 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 June 2013
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 June 2013

Brian is tall and strong in the air and can generally compensate for his lack of speed with his ability to read the game. Said is also well known for his contribution to goal scoring, and is often a threat from set pieces.

Club career

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St. Andrews

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Brian Said started his career with St. Andrews, playing regularly in the first team from the 1991–1992 season. Early in his career he was used both as a midfielder and even as a striker.

In total Brian Said recorded 51 appearances with St. Andrews, and scored ten goals.

Birkirkara

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Said spent the 1994–1995 season on loan with Birkirkara, where he made 17 appearances and scored on one occasion.

Floriana

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Next for Said was a move to Floriana in 1995. Now firmly settled in a central defender, his performances eventually earned him a call-up to the Malta national team.

Brian spent six successful seasons with Floriana from 1995 to 2001, where he recorded 119 appearances and scored six goals for the club.

Sliema Wanderers

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In 2001, Said moved to the ambitious Sliema Wanderers. Brian now an integral member of the Maltese national team produced some great performances during his time with Sliema Wanderers, and even became the team's captain, taking over from Sliema Wanderers legend Noel Turner.

During seven successful seasons spanning from 2001 to 2008, Brian made 181 appearances for The Wanderers, and scored 14 goals.

Marsaxlokk

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In July 2008 it was confirmed that Marsaxlokk had signed Brian Said from Sliema Wanderers. It is possible that Said will form a partnership with another former Sliema Wanderers defender, in the shape of Carlo Mamo.

Brian made his league debut for Marsaxlokk on 24 August 2008, where the side played newly promoted Qormi. Said played the full match, in which both sides shared a 1–1 draw.

During one full season with Marsaxlokk, Brian made 24 appearances and scored two goals.

Floriana

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Following Marsaxlokk's relegation to the Maltese First Division, a clause in Said's contract was activated, allowing him to leave the club for free.

On 28 September 2009 it was confirmed that Brian Said had joined Floriana for the second time in his career.

International career

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Said made his debut for Malta in an August 1996 friendly match away against Iceland, coming on as a 87th-minute substitute for Jeffrey Chetcuti, and earned a total of 91 caps (2 unofficial), scoring 5 goals.[1] His final international was a November 2009 friendly against Bulgaria.[2]

International goals

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Scores and results list Malta's goal tally first.[3][4]
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 8 September 1999 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta   Republic of Ireland 1–2 2–3 Euro 2000 qualifier
2. 16 February 2004 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta   Estonia 2–1 5–2 Rothmans Tournament
3. 8 June 2005 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland   Iceland 1–2 1–4 2006 World Cup qualifier
4. 8 September 2007 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta   Turkey 1–0 2–2 Euro 2008 qualifier
5. 26 March 2008 Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta   Liechtenstein 7–1 7–1 Friendly match

Honours

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2003, 2004, 2005
2004, 2011

References

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  1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Malta - Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Match log for Brian Said". eu-football.info. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Malta International Football Tournament 2004 - Round 2". footballdatabase.eu. 16 February 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Malta beat Liechtenstein 7-1". timesofmalta.com. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
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