Head-To-Head

Monday's top-of-the-table encounter between adversaries Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers pitted against each other two of the most outspoken presidents in the Premier League... Robert Arrigo and Victor Zammit.

The two 'rivals' discuss the match and Maltese football with Kevin Azzopardi.

1. Birkirkara 1 Sliema Wanderers 0. Should Birkirkara have won by a bigger margin?

Robert Arrigo: No, it was a fair result. While Birkirkara deserved to win, we just have to sit down and rue our missed chances.

Victor Zammit: Taking into account the many chances we missed, perhaps we should have won more emphatically but football is like that.

2. Had Danilo Doncic converted that early chance, do you think the game would have taken a different pattern?

RA: Doncic had three clearcut scoring chances but all were shot over the bar. Had he taken one or more of those opportunities, yes I believe it would have been a different story.

VZ: That early chance could have altered the course of the game. In the first 15 minutes, our players found it hard to implement the tactical schemes we planned but after Doda's goal, we took over.

3. Who was the best player?

RA: Nobody was outstanding, I guess. Haruna Doda was in evidence because he scored the goal. From our team, Jeffrey Chetcuti had a good game.

VZ: Haruna Doda's performance was among the most eye-catching as was that of George Mallia.

4. What did you make of Stefan Giglio's straight red card in the second half?

RA: I don't think it was intentional. The red card was harsh.

VZ: It was a tackle from behind and the referee applied the letter of the law. He was correct.

5. Which of the following three teams do you regard as your fiercest rivals - Birkirkara/Sliema, Valletta, Hibernians?

RA: I consider all of them as antagonists. Sliema vs Birkirkara games have been very intense in recent years but Monday's match was fine, even though some Birkirkara fans could not refrain from singing certain infamous choruses. However, their behaviour suggests that they are maturing, obviously as far as support is concerned.

VZ: Sliema, no doubt.

6. The rivalry between Birkirkara and Sliema is said to mirror the pique between the top club officials, especially in the transfer wheeling and dealing. Is this true?

RA: No, I don't think so. Given that both clubs strive to attract the best players, it's inevitable that we clash. This is football after all. You either win or lose.

VZ: There were moments when this held true, especially after the fuss surrounding the transfers of Orosco Anonam (Sliema) and Luke Dimech (Birkirkara). This season we added some new players to strengthen specific positions and that has perhaps contributed to increase the rivalry.

7. Looking back on your time as club president, did you make a decision that you have come to regret?

RA: No, I don't think so. Anyone in a responsible position is bound to make mistakes but it's important that one learns from errors and moves on. I do my best to minimise my mistakes.

VZ: Yes. I made a number of decisions which, after some time, left me bitter. I signed certain players and I put my faith in them. Unfortunately, they reciprocated my respect with irresponsible acts which I never expected from them.

8. Which player represents your best signing so far?

RA: Each signing had an excitement about it. The present squad is the culmination of our transfer efforts and ambitions over the past few years.

VZ: A lot of players have delivered the goods for us but there are two who stand out in my mind - Michael Galea and Chucks Nwoko. Nwoko joined us in 1996 soon after I assumed the reins of the team and Galea joined later on. These players have given a lot to the club and remain crucial members of our team.

9. Do you intend to strengthen your squad in the January transfer window?

RA: We'll see what happens in and until January. I hope all the players in our squad live up to expectations...

VZ: Definitely. Again no big changes are planned but we want to increase the cover for certain roles.

10. Who are your main transfer targets?

RA: No-one in particular at present.

VZ: There are some players in the Premier League who I would like to have on my side but knowing that it would be virtually impossible to prise them away from their current clubs, I think we will have to look abroad for new signings.

11. What is your club's annual expenditure?

RA: Since we have introduced the bonus scheme, our annual expenditure varies according to results. Our audited accounts for last season show a total outlay of Lm156,000, including the championship booty which we retrieve from UEFA.

VZ: Our recurrent expenditure is between Lm150,000 and Lm160,000.

12. How would you describe your relationship with MFA president Joe Mifsud?

RA: Improving. One minute it's icy cold, the next it's warm. There is room for improvement.

VZ: Personally, the relationship is good but that does not mean that I agree with every decision that Dr Mifsud makes.

13. Do you think the MFA is doing enough to boost the standard of its clubs?

RA: No.

VZ: Presently, their immediate focus is to gain as much financial return as possible from their investment in facilities at Ta' Qali.

14. The national teams' professional scheme has been the subject of endless debates lately. What is your opinion on this topic?

RA: The training scheme should be more flexible and the association's efforts of late suggest that they are trying to put this in practice with the introduction of new faces. Players who are at the top of their form must be chosen for the national team whether or not they are part of the scheme.

VZ: The training scheme was a positive step in principle but in football, it's results that matter. Unfortunately, the results of the national team hardly justify the MFA's hefty investment in the training scheme. For this scheme to function properly, all players must be able to train on a professional basis.

15. Who is your favourite to become the new national coach?

RA: Unofficially, it has already been decided. If I were to decide, I would give the job to a Maltese, a choice from some local coaches who are obviously interested in the job.

VZ: If recent reports are anything to go by, the national coach has already been chosen. Horst Heese will be in charge with Carmel Busuttil assisting him. The coach must not only possess good technical and tactical knowledge, he has to be a good motivator. Understanding the mentality of the Maltese players is also paramount.

16. Have you ever considered running for the MFA presidency?

RA: No. I'm not interested. It takes a lot of time and the current MFA president gives a lot of his time to his post and, rightly, is compensated for his commitment. However, I believe that Dr Mifsud should give his shareholders a fair return, something that is lacking at present.

VZ: No, not at this stage.

17. Which memory from your involvement with Sliema/Birkirkara do you treasure most?

RA: Our two championship titles and all other cup victories.

VZ: Our first title in 1999-2000. Winning the FA Trophy for the first time in our history two years ago was another special milestone as we had been losing finalists for the previous five years.

18. And one you would rather forget?

RA: I feel bad after every loss.

VZ: May 2, 1998. Valletta 2 Birkirkara 1. Needing only one point to secure our first title, we met Valletta on the last day of the league in what turned out to be a special occasion for Maltese football. But we ended up losing that contest.

19. Maltese football is riddled by bribery many would have us believe. Do you agree?

RA: No, I don't think so. Maltese football is blighted by rumours about corruption. We would be better off without this persistent speculation.

VZ: I think that is an inflated statement. Even if we are to accept that bribery exists, I think it's not as rampant as many suggest. But if we really want to boost Maltese football, the clubs, association, police and the media must work to eradicate these rumours once and for all.

20. Who will win the league title?

RA: Birkirkara.

VZ: The favourites are Sliema but I hope it will be Birkirkara.