Plenty at stake as Hibs and Valletta go head to head

The format of the Trophy competition benefits the elite four of Maltese football as these are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals' draw whereas the remaining teams in the Premier League and those in Division One fought it out between them for the other four berths in the last- eight stage.

Premier League leaders Sliema will fancy their chances of progression in the Trophy to intensify their quest for a double as they have been paired with Pietà Hotspurs. That is not to say that the Hotspurs are an easy team, especially in the light of their positive results of late, but they are not generally conceived as one of the traditional heavyweights.

Birkirkara, the holders of the Trophy, are also virtually secured of a semi-final berth at the expense of Division-One bound Mosta.

But if the luck of the draw was kind to the Premier League front-runners, it was not on Hibernians and Valletta who have been pitted against each other.

Both sides are eyeing success in the Trophy to ensure participation in the UEFA Cup next season but the knock-out nature of this competition means that only one of them can go beyond the quarter-final stage.

The tie between Hibs, last season's Malta champions, and Valletta, the team they dislodged from the summit of local football, is the highlight of the quarter-finals line-up to be played over the next two days.

Marsaxlokk, the new kids on the Premier League block, will also be upbeat about their chances of making the last four of the Trophy for the first time in their history as they will lock horns with slumbering giants Floriana tomorrow (2 p.m.).

Naming a favourite for tomorrow's encounter between Hibernians and Valletta is a rather difficult task as the last time these two sides met in the League, only six days ago, they annulled each other in a goalless draw.

Apart from success in the trophy, Valletta and Hibs have also set their sights on finishing third in the league, a position they currently share on 22 points each.

Dennis Fenech, the City coach, reckons that a victory in the Trophy quarter-final would not only strengthen Valletta's chances of winning the KO, it would also provide a psychological tonic as they seek to claim the third spot ahead of the fading champions.

"I was pleased with our sound defensive display in the 0-0 draw with Hibs but we were not that effective in the final third," Fenech said.

"Coming from a 3-0 defeat to Sliema, my team was perhaps wary of suffering another upset but in the Trophy quarter-final we have to throw caution to the wind. This is a do-or-die affair and exit from the Trophy would seriously dent our hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

"With Sliema virtually assured of the Premier League title, the remaining teams in the championship pool have had to revise their priorities and I believe that we are all targeting a UEFA Cup berth via the trophy," Fenech said.

Fenech is still plagued by the absence of Gilbert Agius (injured) and Ivan Zammit (suspended) but is keeping his fingers crossed that the two stalwarts will be at his disposal if Valletta reach the semi-finals.

Robert Gatt, the Hibernians coach, will have midfielder Adrian Ciantar back in the frame for tomorrow's clash. Ciantar missed his team's last two matches after twisting his ankle in the 2-0 defeat of Marsaxlokk.

Kevin Cassar and Andrew Cohen are still sidelined but Edmund Lufi has resumed training after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Buoyant Sliema lift the curtains on the Trophy quarter-finals when they meet Pietà Hotspurs this evening at 6. Both Sliema and Pietà go into their quarter-final on a high after recording identical 3-2 victories in their last matches against Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk respectively.

Striker Nenad Veselji is still out of the equation for Sliema but otherwise coach Edward Aquilina can rely on a full squad.

Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, the Hotspurs' coach, will be hoping that the central defensive duo of Mauro Di Lello and Sharlon Pace prove their fitness ahead of today's match with the Premier League leaders.

Today's meeting will be the fourth between these two teams this season. Sliema humbled Pietà 5-0 in the second round but the other two matches ended in 2-2 draws. The Hotspurs are in the quarter-finals after defeating Lija Athletic (4-1) and Marsa (4-3) in the previous rounds.

Birkirkara gunning to retain trophy

Birkirkara's 3-2 defeat to Sliema on Saturday should have intensified their resolve to retain the Trophy given that their hopes of success in the Premier League have receded significantly.

Michael Spiteri, the 34-year-old international defender, will not be in the Birkirkara squad for this evening's match (kick-off 8 p.m.). Spiteri, who has been struggling to return to full fitness after a succession of injuries, is contemplating retirement from football, sources told The Times.

Rufin Oba, the Congolese midfielder, is likely to be named in the Stripes' starting line-up on the back of his lively performance in the 3-2 loss to Sliema on Saturday. Oba was due to return to Malta yesterday evening after he was given leave by his club to travel to Belgium to sort out some personal matters.

Antoine Zahra's rehabilitation from injury is progressing well but the Malta international midfielder is not expected to be available to play before early next month.

Mosta's days in the Premier League are numbered as they lie six points adrift of next-from-bottom Marsa in the Relegation Pool. Notwithstanding their precarious position, Mosta still found the strength to hold Floriana to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Their chances of upsetting Birkirkara's applecart in the Trophy quarter-finals look very remote but Vince Carbonaro's team will be expected to give it their best shot as they look for one final flourish before they bid farewell to top-flight football.

Mosta, who progressed to the last eight after seeing off Gozo and Mqabba, will be without goalkeeper Charles Sciberras and midfielder Anthony Galea, both suspended.

Birkirkara did the double on Mosta in the league, winning 3-0 and 2-0.

A 1-1 draw against Mosta did not suit Floriana's bid to improve their chances of sidestepping the drop. A quarter-final tie against Marsaxlokk in the Trophy is next for Ziya Yildiz's team who will certainly be looking at this competition as a welcome distraction from their league woes.

Progress to the semi-finals would not only give their suffering fans something to cheer about, it would also set them up for the remaining crunch matches in the league.

Marsaxlokk will also be relishing the prospect of gaining access to the semi-finals to make it a memorable year for them after they forced their way into the top six in only their first season among the big boys.

J.J. Aquilina, the Marsaxlokk coach, is expected to hand Roger Walker a starting berth tomorrow.

Ian Azzopardi and Bulgarian midfielder Boyko Simeonov return to bolster Floriana's hopes after they missed the 1-1 draw with Mosta because of suspension.

Yildiz, the Floriana coach, is also hopeful that skipper Jonathan Holland declares himself fit after an ankle problem restricted his progress in the last three weeks.

Floriana made it to the quarter-finals after emphatic victories over Division One opponents Rabat Ajax (6-1) and Naxxar Lions (5-0) in the opening rounds.

Marsaxlokk eliminated Senglea Athletic (2-0) and Msida SJ (4-2) on their way to the quarter-finals.

National Stadium: Today - 6 p.m. Sliema W. vs Pietà H.; 8 p.m. Mosta vs Birkirkara. Tomorrow - 2 p.m. Floriana vs Marsaxlokk; 4 p.m. Valletta vs Hibernians.