Participants aim to step up preparations for new season

Four Premier League teams will be aiming to sharpen their competitive edge before the start of the 2005-2006 trek early next month when they take part in the pre-season Carlsberg Football Tournament, organised every year by Hibernians FC.

Apart from the hosts, the other three participating teams are Valletta, Marsaxlokk and Pietà Hotspurs.

The tournament, played on a round-robin format, kicks off this evening when Hibernians take on Pietà at 6 p.m. In the second game starting at 8 p.m., Valletta square up to rivals Marsaxlokk. All matches will be staged at the Hibernians Ground.

Hibernians, the holders of the tournament, will surely be looking to maintain the feelgood factor in their camp after their resounding success in the fourth Westin Malta Football Awards held on Saturday night.

Of the seven prizes secured by the Paolites in these annual awards, five were collected by three key players of their senior squad, namely captain Mario Muscat (Best Goalkeeper), Andrew Cohen (Best Maltese Player and Best Striker) and Essien Mbong (Best Foreign Player and Best Midfielder).

Their three outings in this four-team tournament also give their coach Robert Gatt further opportunities to fine-tune Hibs' preparations for the home leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying round tie against Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus. In the first leg played on Thursday, AC Omonia beat Hibernians 3-0.

Pietà Hotspurs' dearth of transfer activity suggests that they will rely on homegrown youngsters this season after selling their best-prized assets over the last seven months.

Martin Deanov, the son of Pietà coach Georgi Deanov, has rejoined the Hotspurs who have not extended the contracts of Bosnian players Senad Repuh and Sanin Ortas.

Nigerian striker Daniel Nwoke was also reported to have moved from Msida St Joseph to Pietà but his future with the Blues is still unclear, sources have told The Times.

Having resumed coaching duties at Valletta after earlier announcing he was resigning due to work pressure, J.J. Aquilina will be looking forward to gauge his team's fitness going into the final stage of their pre-season programme.

Valletta fans will be eager to see Nigerian striker Jerry Ani making his first official appearance for the team since joining from Naxxar Lions. The City faithful will also have been relieved to hear that Massimo Grima is all but certain of making his loan move permanent after Valletta and Sliema Wanderers agreed terms for his transfer.

Marsaxlokk signings

With a host of new players joining the Marsaxlokk squad in the close season, Atanas Marinov's emphasis during this tournament is expected to be on teamwork and organisation.

Reuben Gauci, the former Malta U-21 goalkeeper, and midfielders Gareth Sciberras and Kevin Sammut are Marsaxlokk's three major signings this season. Portuguese defender Nuno Gomes has signed a one-year deal with Marsaxlokk who are expected to offer a contract to a Brazilian forward who has been training with them for the past few days.

Marsaxlokk are also hopeful of securing an agreement with Hibernians to sign flank player Antoine Zahra on loan for one year.

Programme

Today - 6 p.m. Hibernians vs Pietà Hotspurs; 8 p.m. Valletta vs Marsaxlokk.

Wednesday - 6 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Hibs; 8 p.m. Valletta vs Pietà H.

Friday - 6 p.m. Pietà H. vs Marsaxlokk; 8 p.m. Hibernians vs Valletta.