Valletta, Birkirkara eyeing victory
Sporting rivals Valletta and Birkirkara are both eyeing a victory this afternoon in the FA Trophy final to finish the season on a positive note.
In a news conference yesterday at midday, the two coaches, Paul Zammit of Birkirkara and Danilo Doncic of Valletta FC, both said the match was a big one for different reasons.
City coach Danilo Doncic said this was a match between two of the best teams on the island. “We have given it the importance it deserves and it is obvious that we are eyeing a win to finish the season on a positive note by registering a double.
“After our title win, we had a few difficult moments because of the celebrations, but now I believe that we are completely focussed on this match,” he said.
Doncic, who has been in Malta several years, first as a player and now as a coach, also had time to describe his appearances in the finals of the FA Trophy so far. He said: “As a player, in eight years, I played in seven finals, winning four of them – three with Valletta and another with Sliema W.
“Now I am looking forward to register my first success as a coach. I wish we will be able to win for a great double,” he added.
The City mentor said veteran striker Michael Mifsud will be available. “His injury is over. He started training with us this week and will be in my squad for this match. Steve Borg is the only player unavailable – he is suspended. Despite everything, I am sure my players are all fresh and well motivated to win the Trophy and register the double,” he added.
Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit thanked all the Birkirkara clan – players, administration and the fans – for enabling the team to finish 4th for a place in European football next season. “That, in my opinion, was an enormous success, considering that in November, we were 10th in the standings, alongside Tarxien. In January of this year, we started our difficult recovery after having lost four of the local players, one of them (Guillaumier) through injury and the other three (Camenzuli, Montebello and Cremona) through suspension.
“It was an uphill battle but my players fought against all the elements and made a lot of sacrifices to see their own team going through a very successful run which enabled them to finish a very creditable 4th.
“I also wish to thank God publicly for giving me the strength to overcome a long period of negatives between April and May of last year. Then, I had hit the abyss, but with the help of God, my family and those who were close to me, including the Birkirkara club president, I am now in a much better position,” he remarked.
Zammit said he and his players are considering this match as “a gift for what we have done together. Losing those four players midway through the season was no joke. On some days I only had just a few minor players as substitutes on the bench, but we made it through some hard work together.”
Zammit went on to say that Birkirkara won their last silverware two years ago, when he was at the helm. “Now we have this chance once again. We know, however, that we are facing a very strong team. There is no doubt that Valletta at present, are the team to beat and, as such, we have to be at our very best to win against the citizens. “But I must say that for us, last week’s match against Sliema was also a final in itself. Having advanced to this final was a big relief for all the Stripes clan, especially the players who, thanks to last week’s victory, they made sure of the club’s presence next season in the Europa League,” he said.
Zammit said he had full respect for Valletta FC. “We are well aware who we will be facing. But we must be confident in our abilities, though also having to be cautious,” he added.
Birkirkara captain Nikola Vukanac appealed to the fans to give their vociferous support to their respective teams. “It will be a great final. Our priority was winning a berth in the Europa League. Now that we have done that, we believe that if we work together again, we can do it,” he said.
Valletta vice captain Henry Bonello also said he expected the match to be keenly contested. “It can go either way. Winning this match is very satisfactory, especially because it is the FA Trophy that is at stake,” he said.
Enclosure sold out
The MFA and the clubs yesterday said that all the Enclosure tickets have been sold. However, there are still tickets available for seats at the Millennium Stand. These can be bought today before the kick off. The gates at Ta’ Qali Stadium will open at 3.30pm.
The MFA has also appealed to the public to follow the traffic instructions by visiting the associations website mfa.com.mt