Qormi, City go head-to-head

On a high after extending their positive streak with a 2-2 draw against Hibs, Qormi will be striving to enhance the feelgood factor in their camp with another lively showing against Valletta this afternoon.

It says a lot about Qormi's meteoric rise that their second round skirmish with Valletta is regarded as the highlight of this weekend's programme.

Indeed, expectations of a pulsating encounter are high as Qormi, the surprise pace-setters, will come face to face with the star-studded Citizens who are under pressure to regain their sparkle as well as top spot in the table. That position is currently inhabited by Birkirkara and Qormi, the latter having long wrapped up their mundane pre-season objective of a place in the Championship Pool.

Two points adrift of the leading duo after 13 matches, Valletta are still a long way from achieving their declared target of reclaiming the title but they are still considered as the top favourites.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Qormi coach, is bracing himself for a taxing outing.

"The classification shows that Qormi are on top but everyone knows that this Valletta team has great potential," Zerafa said.

"Since our first round defeat to Valletta, we have played seven games and I firmly believe that we now have the experience to cope with high-pressure matches.

"Valletta have been through a sticky patch lately but I think it's only a matter of time before they find their touch. They have all the requisites to challenge for the title but we have also shown that, on our day, we can compete with the best.

"I hope this match will be as entertaining as our last game against Hibs."

Zerafa can't pick the same team that started last week's 2-2 draw as midfielder Keith Fenech received a three-match ban in midweek.

Fenech is expected to be replaced by captain Joseph Farrugia who is back in the frame after recovering from injury.

Qormi's excellent run has prompted suggestions that they deserve to be considered as genuine contenders for the title. Zerafa and his allies have been at pains to downplay the soaring expectations but the coach admitted that Qormi are now gunning for higher targets.

"The first aim was to make sure of a berth in the top six and we have achieved it," Zerafa said.

"Our new target is to challenge for a place in European competitions and this is why we have strengthened our squad during this transfer window."

Having slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Sliema, Valletta were back to winning ways last weekend but their 1-0 victory over relegation strugglers Msida did little to soothe their disenchanted fans who expect their team to turn on the style in every match.

Today's encounter with the high-riding Qormi is an opportunity for Valletta to show their true mettle and return to the top.

"Our aim before every game is to win," Valletta coach Ton Caanen said.

"I'm confident the players will give their all to beat Qormi and boost the team's position. It's still early to talk about title clashes because the format of the league here is like you're playing to go into the play-offs.

"The only incentive is to try and have a few points more than your rivals (at the start of the Championship Pool)."

Caanen described Qormi as a "balanced team".

"I can't be surprised by Qormi's positive sequence because this is my first season here," he said.

"The picture is clearer now with regards to the top six. A few weeks back, I said Sliema would bounce back and they are now fifth. As for Qormi, they certainly have a balanced team and their position at the top is not down to good luck. They deserve to be there. Their players know the job they are expected to do on the pitch.

"Qormi play to their strengths."

Captain Gilbert Agius can't face Qormi this afternoon due to suspension while Dutch midfielder Jordi Cruyff is ranked as doubtful. Irish striker Declan O'Brien is available after returning from a short visit to the United States.

Valletta's performances of late may have caused unease among their supporters but, in Caanen's eyes, his team are only lacking the killer touch.

"I'm pleased with the team's performances in the last few games," Caanen said.

"The players showed great fighting spirit, especially in the match against Sliema which we certainly didn't deserve to lose.

"But football is about scoring and we're not taking our chances."

First round - Valletta vs Qormi 2-0.

Training scheme

A meeting between Valletta president Victor Sciriha and Joe Mifsud, the MFA head, has failed to yield an agreement on the national teams' training scheme.

The Citizens have been at loggerheads with the MFA over the amount of training sessions their players should attend at Ta' Qali.

Having trimmed the training schedule from six to four weekly, the MFA are insisting that the Valletta players, like the other members of the national squad, must report for all of the four sessions.

Initially, Valletta gave their players instructions to train with the national coaches once or twice a week, depending on the club's schedule.

Recently, Sciriha announced that his club were ready to send their players for a maximum of three training sessions at Ta' Qali but at yesterday's meeting, Sciriha was told that the MFA and the national coaches were not prepared to budge.