Birkirkara start as favourites in today’s FA Trophy final

The IZIBET FA Trophy final will be played on Sunday April 30th at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali (kick‐off 16:00). A press conference was organised at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali as part of the run up to the final.

The media was addressed by Birkirkara Coach Giovanni Tedesco and player Yanick Yankam together with Marsaxlokk Coach Pablo Doffo and player Peter Xuereb.

Last Tuesday, Marsaxlokk de‐ feated Gzira United on penalties, while Birkirkara eliminated Mosta in a thrilling 4‐3 semifinal.

Birkirkara Coach Giovanni Tedesco explained that at the be‐ ginning of the season, the club was courageous enough to change the staff, and a number of players in the beginning of the season and faced a lot of criti‐ cism. Few believed that Birkirara would end in second place and eventually be finalists in the sec‐ ond most important competition in Maltese football. He thanked the players and staff who worked hard, with the young squad that they have to reach this important milestone. Coach Tedesco con‐ firmed that they still have to as‐ sess Enrico Pepe’s physical form before the game.

Birkirkara player and vice‐cap‐ tain Yannick Yankam explained that the team’s philosophy is to face the season one game at a time. When the performances and the results were coming, the team started to believe in them‐ selves more. ‘Playing such a final is an opportunity for all of us players, and we urge the sup‐ porters to be behind the team and join us at the stadium,’ con‐ cluded Yankam.

‘This final is a perfect opportu‐ nity to showcase our work. Se‐ curing a place in the final was no easy task however we managed,’ said Marsaxlokk Coach Pablo Doffo who explained that this was the first season for the team after securing promotion from the Challenge League. He said that the secret behind Marsaxlokk’s success is the strength and unity of the team it‐ self. Doffo concluded by saying that Marsaxlokk hope to make history.

Marsaxlokk captain Peter Xuereb, explained that the aim is for the team to give their utmost and then the game can go whichever side it wants. He ex‐ plained that the team and players believed from the start and have not just secured Premiership sta‐ tus for another year but also reached this unimaginable mile‐ stone.

This is the 11th final for Birkirkara in the history of the FA Trophy. They won 5 of the finals. The games were: vs Sliema W (2001‐2002 / 2002‐2003), vs Msida SJ (2004‐2005), vs Ham‐ run S (2007‐2008) and vs Hiber‐ nians (2014‐2015), Marsaxlokk managed to reach the final only once, and that was 19 years ago (2003‐2004). A final which they lost to Sliema Wanderers.