Top two kept apart

Sliema Wanderers, the newly-crowned Maltese champions, and runners-up Birkirkara could renew hostilities in a winner-takes-all FA Trophy final showdown after the draw for the semi-finals yesterday kept them apart.

Gunning for the double after coasting to the Premier League title in emphatic fashion, Sliema were handed a tough semi-final against Hibernians, the team they dislodged from the summit of Maltese football.

Birkirkara, the holders of the Trophy, were pitted against Floriana who managed to save their Premier League status on the last day. When Birkirkara's name followed that of Floriana out of the pot during a low-key draw at the MFA offices, the body language of the Stripes' club officials said all about their satisfaction at the outcome of the draw.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, was also suitably pleased but urged caution.

"I think all top three teams were hoping to get Floriana in the semi-finals but that does not mean that it will be an easy tie," Azzopardi told The Times.

"Let's not forget that this is a cup tie and Floriana are no pushovers as they showed when they beat us in the first round of the Premier League.

"Now that they have secured their Premier League status, Floriana have nothing to lose in the Trophy.

"I also believe that Floriana's rather lowly position in the standings does not reflect the potential of the team because they have a crop of very interesting youngsters who can give any team a good run for their money.

"There is certainly no room for complacency among our team," Azzopardi said.

Floriana will certainly fancy their chances of springing a surprise. Their positive results of late should give them good reason for optimism as the Greens managed to sidestep the drop with resounding wins over Marsa and Mosta when they had earlier been regarded as the ones likely to go down.

The Greens can still make this a memorable season, though, if they manage to lift the Trophy or by gaining access into the UEFA Cup, a prospect that appeared impossible up to a few months ago.

If Floriana beat Birkirkara and Sliema have the better of Hibernians, they will qualify automatically for the UEFA Cup.

Hibernians, fourth in the Premier League standings, have not been favoured by the draw as their semi-final meeting with the champions makes it incumbent on them to lift the FA Trophy to secure the second and last spot in the UEFA Cup.

The Paolites ought to derive courage from their positive track record against Sliema this season. Hibernians have won three of their four league outings against the Wanderers who only managed to clinch one game.

Yesterday's draw also threw a glimmer of hope for Valletta. The Citizens' third-place finish in the league guarantees them a place in the Intertoto Cup but they are still hopeful of moving into the UEFA Cup with some help from Lady Luck and two of their main rivals, Sliema and Birkirkara.

Valletta's chances of claiming a UEFA Cup spot increased after the semi-finals draw as Hibs now need to win the competition at all cost to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

A Sliema-Birkirkara final would enable Valletta to play in the UEFA Cup next season. The Citizens will certainly be wishing Birkirkara luck in their defence of the trophy as success for the Stripes would definitely bring UEFA Cup joy to Valletta.

The winner of the FA Trophy will be known on May 22 when the final is played at 7.30 p.m. at the National Stadium. If the match ends in a draw, there will be 30 minutes of extra-time. If the game is still level, the contest will be decided with a penalty shoot-out.

Trophy Semi-Finals - next Sunday

1. Floriana vs Birkirkara 4.30 p.m. (National Stadium)

2. Sliema Wanderers vs Hibernians 6.30 p.m. (National Stadium)

Final - Thursday, May 22 at the National Stadium, kick-off 7.30 p.m.