Sliema Wanderers out to complete title mission

An all-to-play-for mentality is likely to permeate proceedings at the National Stadium this evening as leaders and champions elect Sliema Wanderers face a Valletta side keen on regaining second spot, writes Kevin Azzopardi

Sliema, Malta champions for the last two seasons, had the opportunity to put the lid on the title issue when facing Birkirkara the weekend before last but a 3-1 defeat forced them into a waiting game.

With a three-point cushion and a game in hand on Birkirkara, the Blues are still odds-on to claim their third league title on the trot but their hitherto imperious march has been compounded by a combination of their upset to the Stripes and the fierce three-way fight for second place featuring Valletta, Birkirkara and Hibernians. The latter two stepped up their challenge for second spot as Birkirkara defeated Marsaxlokk 3-0 and Hibs edged Floriana 1-0.

A point would be enough for Sliema to achieve their title goal in their penultimate match but a victory for Valletta would push the dual race for the championship and the runner-up spot to the wire, in the process increasing interest in the final round of Premier League matches next weekend.

Sliema will be determined to prevent this scenario from becoming reality.

"The pressure to secure this league title has inevitably increased," Noel Turner, the Sliema captain said.

"We missed the chance to close the title issue in our last game against Birkirkara but we are still favourites. Losing to Birkirkara left us all distraught but it has not tarnished our belief that we can win this title. Our collective experience is a nice asset to have in this situation. We are looking to confirm ourselves as champions of Malta for the third year running."

Turner is clearly confident in Sliema's capacity to ensure their third successive championship today but he expects a tough ride against Valletta.

"It will be a difficult game," the former Malta midfielder remarked. "Valletta are fighting for second place along with Birkirkara and Hibs.

"This match will have repercussions on the race for the runner-up spot but we're not the least interested in matters related to the other teams. Our eyes are set on making sure that Sliema retain the championship."

Edward Aquilina, the Sliema Wanderers coach, will doubtless demand a more committed performance from his men after their below-par showing against Birkirkara.

The former Valletta mentor is unlikely to gamble on the fitness of his Serbian striker-turned-midfielder Danilo Doncic who has not fully recovered from a hamstring problem he contracted in the 2-0 defeat of Marsaxlokk.

On a positive note, veteran midfielder Joe Brincat has resumed training and could be included in the starting line-up this evening.

Given the range of permutations looming over today's contest and the pressure weighing on both teams, the match could suffer in terms of entertainment. Turner predicts a tight, tense encounter.

"Decisive matches are normally nervy, scrappy affairs but in football, it's almost impossible to picture the pattern of a game beforehand," the Sliema skipper opined.

"Tension will be high because we are gunning to clinch this title and Valletta are willing to win to stay in contention. The atmosphere in our camp in the lead-up to this match has been normal.

"All the players appreciate the importance of this game and I believe that unity and determination from our part will guide us to our target."

A Sliema boy through and through, Turner cannot wait for his team to put their itching hands on the championship for what would be a record 26th time.

"A third consecutive league triumph with Sliema would be a great achievement," Turner said.

"Moreover, there is added significance attached to our quest for the title this year as Sliema will overtake Floriana as the team with most league wins if we become champions again."

Like Turner, Gilbert Agius, the Valletta skipper, has a glittering array of medals at home but his success has not reduced his hunger to achieve more in his career.

Valletta's title chances are remote but Agius wants his team to complete their odd-defying campaign on a high.

"The tight situation at the top of the standings has raised the significance of our fixture with Sliema," Agius said.

"In many ways, this game affects the top four teams in the Premier League. From our point-of-view, the last two matches of this season are crucial to our chances of qualifying for a European competition."

Second place remains Valletta's no.1 priority but they still have a slender chance of claiming the league if they win their last two matches and the result of the closing Hibs-Sliema clash goes their way.

"Mathematics show that we can still finish on top but it does not depend only on us," Agius said.

"It's very difficult but knowing that our title chances are not completely dead gives us the confidence to fight on."

Agius will lead his team's bid to upset Sliema's applecart today after missing Valletta's 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Floriana due to suspension. The Valletta skipper suffered a slight injury in an aerial duel with team-mate Karl Bonnici during training. Both players needed stitches to minor head wounds but they are expected to be fit to play this evening.

Experienced goalkeeper Sean Sullivan will hope for an immediate return to the City first team after he, like Agius, served his one-match ban against Floriana. Sharlon Pace is the only certain absentee for Valletta today after aggravating a groin injury in the 2-0 loss to Hibs.

Morale boost

"Beating Floriana gave us a significant psychological boost," Agius said. "Pre-match forecasts suggested a Floriana win because they were coming from two positive performances but we proved otherwise, giving a determined display to enhance our confidence before our clash with Sliema."

Agius picked the experience of the bulk of the Sliema players as their strongest quality.

"Sliema have been champions for the last two years and they have been leading from day one of the league this season," Agius remarked. "They have a strong squad but more importantly, they have a nucleus of players who have won a lot during their career.

"This season, we have experienced contrasting fortunes in matches against Sliema. In the first round, we did not deserve to finish without any points and in the following match, we managed to beat Sliema. Our worst performance against them came in our last meeting when Sliema defeated us 3-0."

Agius is hoping that Valletta can rely on the rousing support of their fans in their last league matches.

"Valletta supporters play an important role as testified by the club's gesture in handing over the no.12 City shirt to our fans' organisation," Agius said.

"Unfortunately, this year the support was not so strong when we embarked on a winning run but when the numbers increased, we suffered consecutive defeats to Sliema and Birkirkara. However, I am confident that the true supporters will be behind us in our remaining outings."

Results this season - Valletta vs Sliema W. 1-3, 3-2, 0-3.

Probable formations

Valletta: M. Montfort, R. Forace, M. Grima, B. Nisevic, K. Cassar, M. Galea, C. Oretan, M. Penchev, K. Fenech, G. Agius, I. Zammit.

Sliema W.: M. Akanji, A. Muscat, J. Chetcuti, D. Debono, B. Said, S. Giglio, N. Turner, J. Brincat, I. Woods, L. Pernis, O. Anonam.

Remaining Fixtures

Today
7.30 p.m. Sliema vs Valletta.

Friday:
6 p.m. Lija vs Pietà
8 p.m. Floriana vs Marsaxlokk.

Saturday
3 p.m. St Patrick vs Msida
5.30 p.m. Birkirkara vs Valletta.

Sunday:
4 p.m. Hibernians vs Sliema.

Standings

Note: Msida were deducted two points