Sliema, Hibs chase cup glory

Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians have their gazes fixed on a glorious finale to their season by lifting the FA Trophy this evening at the National Stadium.

Having emerged unscathed from two nerve-racking but generally unremarkable semi-finals, Sliema and Hibs go into their final showdown with high optimism of winning the second most coveted honour in Maltese football.

Already assured of a UEFA Cup spot thanks to their second-place finish in the Premier League, Sliema are driven on by their desire to capture their first piece of silverware in two seasons.

For their part, the Paolites are hellbent on defending the KO title they won last year with a narrow 1-0 victory over Floriana besides securing the second and last UEFA Cup spot for Maltese teams. Fifth in the league after another shambolic campaign, Hibs must keep hold of the Trophy to extend their run in European football next season.

As is usually the case before a major final, expectations are high of a balanced, fiercely-contested encounter.

To a large extent, the two finalists took a similar route to this evening's showdown as both Hibs and Sliema produced a storming finish to leave their semi-final opponents trailing in their wake.

On Friday, Hibs bounced back from a goal down to break down Valletta's challenge with second-half goals from Andrew Cohen and Terrence Scerri whereas Sliema came of age in the second half of extra-time of their semi-final against Msida St Joseph. A quick brace from Stefan Giglio and a late goal from Ivan Woods handed the Blues a flattering 3-0 win.

During Sunday's semi-final, Sliema coach Ray Farrugia was forced to make two substitutions after Jeffrey Chetcuti and Alex Muscat suffered injuries.

Muscat is definitely out of today's final with ankle ligament damage but left-back Chetcuti has a slight chance of shaking off the knee injury he picked up in the first half of Sunday's semi-final. Italian defender Mauro Di Lello is still nursing a calf injury.

Chetcuti's potential recovery would provide a boost for Farrugia and the entire Sliema clan.

"The mood in our squad is very upbeat," Farrugia said. "Our second-place finish in the league and the semi-final victory over Msida helped to restore confidence among the players.

"There was a time earlier this season when the players lost their self-belief amid concerns that Sliema could miss out on a place in the Championship Pool but they have stuck together, worked hard and turned the team's fortunes around.

"Now that we have earned the right to figure in the Trophy final, which also happens to be the last match of the season, we want to close out this campaign on a high."

There is no doubt that Farrugia is one of the most respected coaches in Malta but he has yet to win a major honour in local football.

The former Malta U-21 mentor is keen to get off the mark but he insisted that personal matters are of secondary importance today.

"There's no denying that winning my first major trophy as coach would give me great satisfaction but this final is not about Ray Farrugia. We want to do it for Sliema Wanderers and I really hope that our supporters get behind the team," Farrugia said.

"I strongly believe that our efforts this season will stand us in good stead in the near future. Success in the Trophy would foster greater unity in our clan besides strengthening our motivation to achieve more success next season."

Farrugia is under no illusion as to the difficulty of today's final.

"Hibs are an organised team but they tend to be unpredictable," Farrugia said. "It's a final and the result could go either way."

The announcement by David Carabott, the 39-year-old Sliema wing-back, that today's match will be his swansong, has enhanced the allure of the match.

Farrugia said the Sliema players want to give Carabott, a former Malta captain, a winning farewell. "I'm really happy for Carabott that his final match as a player will be an FA Trophy final," Farrugia said.

"As far as we're concerned, our wish is to give him a successful farewell. Carabott deserves to end his career on a top note."

Brincat set to retire

It also emerged last night that veteran midfielder Joe Brincat is likely to follow Carabott's footsteps by quitting football after today's final.

Brincat, whose season had been bedevilled by a series of nagging injuries, is expected to form part of Sliema's squad this evening.

Victory for Sliema today would cement their position at the top of the FA Trophy all-time winners' list with 20 titles whereas Hibs are vying to win it for the eighth time.

Robert Gatt, the Hibs coach, shares Farrugia's view that today's final is likely to be a close and balanced affair.

"Our victory over Valletta gave everyone a boost but this is a new game against a very experienced team," Gatt told The Times.

"Sliema can rely on mature players who have been involved in many finals and high-pressure games before. It's going to be a difficult game for both sides. For us, this match will surely be tougher than the semi-final against Valletta."

Gatt is not expected to tinker with his formation from the 2-1 victory over Valletta but is keeping his fingers crossed that Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva shrugs off a knock he suffered in training during the week.

Ndubisi Chukunyere enlivened Hibs after coming on as a substitute last Friday but the Nigerian is still not at the peak of his physical powers and is therefore expected to start on the bench.

Given that Hibs' European football hopes rest solely on today's final, one would expect the Paolites to be under more pressure than Sliema but Gatt does not see it that way.

"Needing to win this final to qualify for Europe should strengthen our motivation," the Hibs mentor said.

"A final is always a high-pressure game but for us, it's even more crucial because participation in European football is very important for Hibs."

Pressed to single out Sliema's most dangerous players, Gatt said: "Experience is their main strength but they have some key players who must be kept under tight control. Ivan Woods is their main threat in attack while Stefan Giglio and Roderick Bajada are important players in Sliema's midfield.

"Like Sliema, we also have players who can decide the outcome of a match with a stroke of creativity or individual brilliance.

"Giglio was quiet for most of Sliema's match against Msida but he decided the game with two well-taken goals.

"The same goes for Terrence Scerri in our semi-final. For long stretches, Scerri looked to be struggling but he delivered the winning goal at a crucial moment."

Playing today (National Stadium): 4.45 p.m. Quick Keno Div. II/III Knock-Out final Balzan Youths vs Birzebbuga St Peter's.