Marsaxlokk target fitting climax to title party

All eyes will be on the BOV Premier League trophy and the smiling faces on the pitch and in the stands of the National Stadium tomorrow as Marsaxlokk, the newly-crowned champions, will finally lay their hands on the most coveted prize in Maltese football.

As Marsaxlokk wrapped up their maiden title with three matches to spare, the significance of their final game against rivals Sliema Wanderers (kick-off 5 p.m.) is purely academic, especially after the latter assured themselves of second spot in the standings.

Nevertheless, Marsaxlokk will surely be eager to celebrate their league title with a victory.

Bitter memories of the 4-1 reverse to Sliema in their last meeting will further strengthen Marsa-xlokk's resolve to gain revenge.

Coach Brian Talbot wants the southerners to make a winning end to their season but he was quick to point out that Marsaxlokk have already delivered the goods.

"Whatever happens on Sunday, we will still get the championship trophy because we have already won the league," Talbot quipped.

"Obviously, it would be nice if we could celebrate our title success with a victory. I'm sure the Marsaxlokk fans will come out in force on Sunday (tomorrow). Marsaxlokk is only a small village but all the residents are pleased with what has been achieved this season."

Midfielder Kevin Sammut cannot play an active part in Marsaxlokk's final match for the season after being handed a one-match ban for his red card in the 1-0 defeat to Valletta last Monday. Sammut's absence aside, Talbot has no other selection problems.

Talbot was effusive in his praise of the players and officials when asked to describe his feelings after leading the team to their first title in his first season in charge.

"I'm thankful to everyone at Marsaxlokk," Talbot remarked. "I'm pleased about the reaction of the players, how they have behaved and performed throughout the season.

"I'm also grateful to all the people who have helped the team off the pitch, the likes of Peter Hartshorne, secretary Robert Micallef, the kit men and obviously the Sciriha family."

As the season nears its conclusion, the attention is already shifting to the individual awards.

The impressive contribution a host of Marsaxlokk players made to their team's remarkable title triumph surely puts them among the front-runners for success in the end-of-season awards.

"I would like to think that people will look at the whole season and assess it fairly rather than basing their judgment on the last two matches," Talbot said. "Quite a few Marsaxlokk players have impressed during the season.

"You have to look at the performances of Luke Dimech in defence, Kevin Sammut and Jamie Pace in midfield and Daniel Bogdanovic and Andrè Schembri in attack. This has been a collective effort but you need players to excel in their positions to win the title."

Narrowing his view to Marsa-xlokk's match against Sliema, Talbot could not resist firing a parting shot at his rivals and their coach Ray Farrugia.

"Sliema will be disappointed that they didn't win the league," Talbot remarked. "After they beat us 4-1, they felt they had a chance for the title but since then, they haven't gained a single point on us.

"The only way Sliema can finish six points behind us is by beating us in the final match. Their coach would want to motivate his team to get a win over the champions in their last match. Also, the Sliema coach might feel he has a point to prove against his former team."

Farrugia is famed for his motivational skills but lowering the colours of the champions is not his and Sliema's priority at present.

The Wanderers' mentor and Ronald Vella, his assistant, want to ensure that all key players are fit for the FA Trophy semi-final against Msida next week.

To this end, Farrugia is unlikely to risk players who are either on three yellow cards or nursing knocks from previous matches.

The likes of goalkeeper Murphy Akanji, Stefan Giglio, Sharlon Pace, Roderick Bajada, Ivan Woods and Alex Muscat are all expected to be left out of the starting formation.

Previous results: Sliema vs Marsaxlokk 1-3, 2-3, 4-1.

Other matches...

Pietà vs St George's (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).
Pietà Hotspurs and St George's will bring the curtains down on the 2006-2007 Relegation Pool.

Rumen Galabov has recovered from injury and is available to play for the Hotspurs today but fellow Bulgarian Martin Deanov is again expected to watch the game from the stands.

With their top-flight status safe, Pietà coach Carmel Busuttil is again expected to include several young players in his starting XI.

St George's are ravaged by injuries for their final outing of the season in the top division.

Keith Darmanin, Benoir Fenech, Anthony Bonello and Kurt Formosa are on the casualty list, Nigerian Alfred Effiong is doubtful and Larry Lagana is suspended.

On the plus side, Marco Gerada can rely on Clive Brincat and Lawrence Mizzi after suspension had kept the St George's duo out of the 3-1 defeat to Marsa.

Previous results: Pietà vs St George's 1-1, 0-0, 2-1.

Msida St Joseph vs Valletta (today at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

The FA Trophy semi-finals are the only thing on the minds of Msida St Joseph and Valletta ahead of their final league meeting of the season.

Paul Zammit, the City coach, has set his sights on another sound performance by his team, similar to the one that saw them edge champions Marsaxlokk thanks to a last-gasp goal by Netherlands Antilles forward Richmar Siberie.

The Valletta team is unlikely to differ much from the one Zammit fielded last Monday.

Dyson Falzon will be hoping for an instant recall after missing his side's defeat of Marsaxlokk with back pain.

Justin Grioli is available after serving his one-match ban but Jonathan Bondin is still recovering from a knee problem. Zammit is hopeful that Bondin wins his fitness battle in time to face Hibs in the KO semi-final on Friday.

Msida, who take on Sliema Wanderers in the other FA Trophy semi-final tomorrow week, are not at full strength today.

Coach Patrick Curmi must alter his defensive set-up as Josef Mifsud and Stefano Grima are suspended and Tyrone Farrugia is not 100 per cent fit. Ousseni Zongo is doubtful with a slight knee injury.

Roderick Baldacchino is poised to reclaim his berth in the first team after completing a one-match ban.

Previous results: Msida vs Valletta 2-2, 1-1, 1-1.