Two teams, one goal... KO glory

The romance of the KO competition has been resuscitated this year with the progress of Floriana and Hibernians to the final of the FA Trophy.

Although the two finalists are members of the elite of Maltese football, they have trailed in the shadow of Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara for the past few seasons in so far as success in the major competitions is concerned.

Now that they have ended the duopoly of Sliema and Birkirkara, Floriana and Hibs will surely think positively about their chances of winning today's final and lay their hands on the coveted FA Trophy.

Their mutual determination to compensate for a disappointing league campaign plus the added lure of picking Malta's second and last qualifying spot in next season's UEFA Cup has heightened hope of a riveting finale to the season.

Victory for Floriana, who are gunning to equal Sliema's record of 19 FA Trophy triumphs, would round up an astonishing two weeks during which the team and their supporters experienced the highs and lows of football in dramatic fashion.

Two weeks ago, the Greens stood on the brink of relegation after falling three goals behind in a decisive clash with Mosta.

An extraordinary fightback in the second half saw Floriana snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat to make sure of their top-flight status. Their survival mission also yielded Floriana a significant morale-booster ahead of their semi-final. Last Friday, they gave their long-suffering fans more cause for delight with an emphatic 2-0 dismissal of Sliema thanks to a Trevor Cilia double.

Hibs did not quite go through the same emotional cliff-hanger as their opponents but in missing out on a top-four finish, they fell well short of reaching their pre-season target.

A seventh FA Trophy triumph would surely appease their fans besides extending their run in European competitions.

Young midfielder Edmond Agius secured Hibs' place in the 68th FA Trophy final after hitting the winner in their 1-0 defeat of Birkirkara.

Hibs' quest to capture their first major honour since the league title of 2002 will put them on a collision course with one of their former heroes, Adrian Mifsud.

Mifsud enjoyed a highly positive spell with Hibs before moving to Sliema in 2004. Last summer, the striker was on the move again, joining Floriana on a season-long deal in a bid to secure more first-team football.

After a slow start, Mifsud gradually regained the confidence and sharpness that made him one of the deadliest strikers around to finish as Floriana's top scorer with 15 goals in the Premier League.

Suspension forced him out of the semi-final with Sliema but the team's strong showing has given Mifsud an opportunity to crown his stint with the Greens with something to remember.

"This final has sparked great enthusiasm among the fans," Mifsud told The Times.

"The same goes for the players amid the realisation that we are so close to fulfilling a dream. The atmosphere among the squad is relaxed and positive."

Reflecting on Floriana's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde campaign, Mifsud said: "It's been a season of ups and downs. After getting over a slow start, we enjoyed a great run in the league but we missed out on a place in the Championship Pool by one point.

"That was a massive delusion. When we beat Hamrun in our opening Relegation Pool encounter, we thought we were already safe but two successive defeats put us under great pressure.

"We just managed to turn things round in that last match and that surely raised our confidence for the Trophy semi-final. I believe that our no-fear, bold approach served us well."

Mifsud sees no favourites today.

"It's 50-50," he said. "This is going to be my first appearance in a Trophy final and I am determined to do more than my best to help Floriana win.

"A Trophy medal is the only one missing from my collection. I hope that will no longer be the case after Friday."

The availability of an experienced goalscorer like Mifsud is likely to prompt Floriana coach Jan Artz to make one change from the formation he fielded in the semis. Julian Briffa suffered an injury against Sliema but he's expected to be fit today.

Hibs coach Robert Gatt is likely to settle on the same team that thwarted Birkirkara's double bid. The only injury worry is Irish winger David Williamson who is ranked doubtful after sustaining a foot injury in training.

If Williamson fails to shake off his injury, Terence Scerri is the front runner to flank Haruna Doda and Andrew Cohen in attack.

Now widely acclaimed as one of the most technically-gifted players in the Premier League, Cohen is central to Hibs' hopes of ending an eight-year wait for Trophy success.

"Winning this final is our sole mission," Cohen told The Times.

"Our general performance in the league was not up to the expected standards but this final gives us the chance to make this season a successful one. All the players are motivated to win the FA Trophy."

Cohen's appreciation of the potentially tough challenge Floriana may offer today has not diminished his confidence in Hibs' capabilities.

"We played Floriana twice in the league this season. Our record against them is positive because we beat them in the first round and the second meeting ended in a draw.

"But, there are no favourites. It will surely be a difficult game against a team looking to save their season by clinching the cup.

"Still, with the squad we've got, I am optimistic that we will beat Floriana. One area where I think we have an edge is in attack. If we exploit our offensive potential, we will breach their defence."

Like his former Hibs team-mate Mifsud, Cohen's sparkling CV does not include an FA Trophy medal.

Last season, the 25-year-old Malta midfielder crowned an excellent campaign with his nomination as MFA Player of the Year. This term, his sights are set on closing another positive year by hoisting the prized FA Trophy.

"The Trophy is the only leading competition I've not won in my career," Cohen said.

"I am reasonably confident and looking to realise this ambition with Hibernians."

Faced with the question whether today's final will be his last game for Hibs, Cohen replied: "There are on-going discussions with Hibs about a new contract.

"At present, I'm not thinking about personal matters. A decision will be made after this match.

"I can't say if this final will be my last game for Hibs but one thing is sure... Hibs are always my first option."

Flashback...

Previous finals - Floriana vs Hibernians
1960-61 Floriana vs Hibernians: 2-0 (Scorers: Demanuele, Privitera og)
1965-66 Floriana vs Hibernians: 2-1 (Scorers: S. Borg, Caruana (F); Delia pen. (H))
1966-67 Floriana vs Hibernians: 1-0 (Scorer: S. Borg)

League results this season
20-08-2005 Floriana vs Hibernians: 0-3
14-12-2005 Hibernians vs Floriana: 1-1