'Discipline is the key to Sliema's qualification' - defender Brian Said

It has been a long time since Maltese football has regaled local fans with something to cheer about.

Results obtained by our national team in recent months were quite disappointing to say the least and many are now yearning for a turnaround in our clubs' fortunes in Europe. That, many contend, could instil a much needed tonic to the ailing surroundings of the domestic game.

This afternoon champions Sliema Wanderers could inject some much needed life to club football when attempting to secure a place in the second qualifying round of the Champions League at the expense of FC Skonto.

The Blues will be looking to close all avenues to their Latvian opponents and preserve a two-goal cushion lead earned after the first leg at the Hibs Ground.

When the draw of the competition was made last month, few believed that the Wanderers could make it to the second qualifying round as undisputed champions of Latvia FC Skonto are an experienced team in European competitions having won their domestic championship for the past 12 years.

However, all that changed last week when the Wanderers stunned their opponents with a fine display of meticulous football and two second-half goals from Daniel Bogdanovic and Danilo Doncic putting them in the driving seat ahead of the second leg. Danish champions FC Copenhagen will wait the victors of the two-legged clash in the next round.

Sliema's international defender Brian Said reckons his team still has a lot of work to do to qualify. Today's match, he said, will be a different kettle of fish for the Maltese champions.

"Qualification is far from settled," he said. "We know that we will be facing a totally different FC Skonto side in Riga, a team determined to turn the result in their favour in front of their own fans.

"A two-goal advantage is good but we all know how unpredictable this game of football is. Our lead could vanish very quickly if we don't stay focused throughout and disciplined in our tactics. Certainly a lapse in concentration could be fatal for our chances of progressing," the Sliema centre-half warned.

"Last week, Skonto applied a very cautious game-plan, solid defending and quick counter-attacks. In the end, their tactics backfired. Now, they have nothing to lose and will go out with all guns blazing in their bid to overturn the double deficit. We're expecting them to put us under constant pressure but we're strong enough to hold them back and control their attacks."

Open spaces

Said, formerly of Floriana, said FC Skonto's attacking approach will inevitably leave some open space in their rearguard, something the Sliema forwards should capitalise on and try to score what would be a very useful away goal.

"Skonto should venture forward more frequently in Riga," he said. "That should suit our strikers. Skonto will have to take an extra risk and leave some spaces open for us to manoeuvre.

"Bogdanovic, Anonam and Doncic are masters in profiting from open spaces... their speed and eye for goal are lethal. An away goal will surely ease our job."

FC Skonto are no new faces to Maltese football. In 1997, they had ousted Valletta from the Champions Cup courtesy of a 2-0 win in Riga after the Citizens had won the first leg in Malta 1-0.

There are three members of that Valletta outfit who are now playing for Sliema, namely, Stefan Giglio, Jeffrey Chetcuti and Kris Laferla. Edward Aquilina was coach at Valletta that season. This afternoon he will lead the Blues from the bench, hoping to take some sweet revenge to make up for that upset.

Aquilina is expected to effect some changes from the team that won 2-0 at the Hibs Ground last week. He must have noticed the lightning speed of some FC Skonto players and today he will take no risks and opts for some extra cover.

Veteran Laferla, who started the first leg at Corradino as libero, could be dropped this time with Stefan Giglio playing in that role and new signing Jamie Pace making his competitive debut for the Wanderers in midfield.

Said reckons that qualification, which means Hibernians will replace Sliema in next month's Lowenbrau Cup, will not only be the ideal start to the campaign for the Blues but also a timely boost for our football.

"We are highly motivated to reach our objective and play in the next round," he said. "It's a huge incentive for us and Maltese football in general.

"It will also be a useful experience for all of us and a great financial boost for the club. At the same time, success will also help to give Maltese football a brighter image on the continent," he said.

Probable Formation

M. Akanji, N. Turner, J. Chetcuti, S. Giglio, B. Said, J. Brincat, C. Mamo, J. Pace (K. Laferla), O. Anonam, D. Doncic, D. Bogdanovic.

Kick-off: 5.30 p.m. (Malta time).