Marsaxlokk's Euro football aspirations on the line

Marsaxlokk are in danger of seeing their pre-season Euro club competitions aspirations blown apart when they face Valletta in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy tomorrow at 5 p.m.

A disappointing run in the Premier League has all but ended their chances of reaching their objective and mount a serious title challenge. Now, the misfiring team from the south have only the FA Trophy as their only accessible route to Europe next season.

They face an arduous task though to keep their season on trek as Atanas Marinov's team play a highly-charged Valletta team who will be relishing the prospect of serving their rivals with the same treatment they received last year when Marsaxlokk halted the Citizens' hopes of a place in Europe.

In May 2004, Valletta and Marsaxlokk clashed in the semi-final of the FA Trophy with a place in the UEFA Cup at stake after champions Sliema Wanderers had beaten Birkirkara in the other tie.

In the end, it was Marsaxlokk who clinched an historic place in the final after a Daniel Bogdanovic goal in extra-time condemned Valletta to a 1-0 defeat.

Marsaxlokk president Victor Sciriha yesterday branded the Trophy quarter-final as his club's most important fixture of the season. He reckoned another upset in the KO competition would all but seal their fate to a disappointing campaign.

"The match against Valletta is a massive one for us," Sciriha told The Times.

"The FA Trophy is our only realistic chance of qualifying for a UEFA club competition. There's no other way for us now but to beat Valletta and keep our season alive.

"We have to match last season's feat in this competition and reach the final. There are still two matches to go and it won't be easy... all top teams are still there.

"There was some serious preparation for this match and I expect our players to show the same kind of determination in the league victory against Floriana in our last outing."

Sciriha admitted that failure to qualify for Europe would be a huge setback for the club from a financial point of view.

"Competing in UEFA competitions is crucial to all clubs. That's the main source of revenue. We've invested a lot on new players and failure to qualify for Europe will put us in a rather tight situation."

Both Marsaxlokk and Valletta are expected to be at full strength with the Citizens holding a psychological edge over their opponents. In the three league meetings this season, Valletta won two with the other match ending in a draw.

Valletta are coming from two straight upsets in the league but club president Charles Camilleri is still optimistic.

"We have met Marsaxlokk three times this season and I felt that on each occasion we were the better side," he said.

"This fills me with great courage. We know our team can do it. Marsaxlokk assembled a remarkable squad but I'm confident and we should make it to the semi-finals.

"We were out of Europe last year but the challenge is stronger this time. We've done really well so far in the league and I think we deserve to compete in European football again.

"The team is laid on solid foundations and back among the top teams in the league.

"Winning the FA Trophy would be an ideal way to wrap up a satisfactory season, I guess. The Premier League title race is not over yet but we're putting in an extra effort to bring the trophy to Valletta and secure our passage to Europe."

Other matches...

Msida St Joseph vs Hibs (today, National Stadium - 3 p.m.).

Hibs' chances of winning the FA Trophy will be put under a stern test this afternoon when they square up to Msida St Joseph.

With their league chances hanging on a thread, lifting the second major honour of the season has become the Paolites' main target as they look to guarantee themselves qualification to continental football in summer.

However, their task is far from straightforward as Msida have turned out to be a tough nut to crack when playing more-quoted opponents despite their position in the Relegation Pool.

Hibs coach Robert Gatt has no injury problems and is expected to name his strongest formation.

Msida are in the last eight after ousting Division One sides Mosta and Senglea but failed to reach their desired target of figuring among the top six in the Championship Pool after the split at mid-season.

Birkirkara vs Floriana (today, National Stadium - 5 p.m.).

Birkirkara will be hoping to carry their positive form of late to the FA Trophy when they face Floriana in today's main match.

The Stripes, winners of the competition in 2002 and 2003, seem to have hit top gear lately. The 2-1 win over Valletta in the league extended Birkirkara's unbeaten run to eight matches.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi is taking nothing foregranted even though his team have beaten Floriana in all three meetings this season. He is plagued with the absence of Roderick Briffa while striker Michael Galea is a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury in training this week.

For Floriana, the Trophy is the only way of saving their season. They reached the last eight after ousting St George's, 6-0, and then needed extra-time to eliminate Hamrun 2-0.

Coach Willie Vassallo must check on the fitness of defender Joseph Craig Schembri and Brazilian Andre Rocha Da Silva.

Sliema vs Mqabba (tomorrow, National Stadium - 3 p.m.).

Holders Sliema Wanderers should have little problems in reaching the semi-finals for the sixth consecutive season when they face Division One front-runners Mqabba.

On paper, the Blues hold too much armoury for their modest opponents but, no doubt, the 19-times trophy winners cannot afford to show any kind of complacency or else risk suffering a shock elimination.

Coach Edward Aquilina is without five first-team players, namely, Joe Brincat, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Brian Said, Orosco Anonam and Rupert Mangion, all at the treatment room.

Mqabba eliminated Naxxar Lions 5-0 and San Gwann 5-4 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals. They are playing confidently in Division One with the experienced Albert Busuttil and Justin Tellus the main source of inspiration for the team.