Valletta take on Marsaxlokk in cup rematch

Valletta were yesterday given the chance to make amends for last year's agonising semi-final exit from the FA Trophy at the hands of Marsaxlokk after the draws for the quarter-finals paired the two Premier League clubs together.

Last season, Marsaxlokk ended Valletta's hopes of European football after Daniel Bogdanovic, now plying his trade with Gozitan club Ghajnsielem, struck the winner five minutes from the end of extra-time to seal an outstanding 1-0 victory for the southerners.

That success booked Marsax-lokk a place in the FA Trophy final and, more importantly, their first ever passage to a European club competition where they faced Primorje of Slovenia in the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.

Marsaxlokk lost the final 2-0 to champions Sliema who collected their 19th triumph in the KO competition and completed a double.

Valletta, 11-times FA Trophy winners, should have a slight psychological edge when they take on Marsaxlokk in the quarter-finals, scheduled for the weekend of April 2 and 3, as this season they have not lost to the southerners in three Premier League meetings. The Citizens beat Marsaxlokk twice with the other match, in the second round, ending in a 1-1 draw.

Holders Sliema were the luckiest of the seven Premier League teams still in the draw after being pitted against Division One leaders Mqabba.

Birkirkara, winners of the FA Trophy in 2002 and 2003, must be bracing themselves for a difficult quarter-final tie after they came up against Floriana. The Greens, sixth in the Premier League, have won the FA Trophy 18 times.

The other quarter-final will be between six-times winners Hibs and Msida St Joseph. The latter have never won the Trophy.