Long way to go in title race, says Zammit

Three points to the good at the top with only seven games left, Birkirkara are daring to dream of Premier League glory.

Regarded as outsiders for the title at the start of what had been widely described as a transitional season for the club, Birkirkara have astounded one and sundry with their rapid transformation from a work-in-progress to genuine contenders for the top prize in Maltese football.

Last Saturday, Birkirkara improved their chances of sustaining their title challenge as their 2-1 victory over Hibs and Valletta's slip-up to Sliema Wanderers left the Stripes as sole leaders of the Premier League.

Inevitably, the weekend's results have raised expectations about Birkirkara's title prospects but coach Paul Zammit, the architect of the team's rise, is not looking too far ahead.

"At this moment in time, I prefer to comment on the positive things this squad has already achieved this season," Zammit told The Times.

"Our hard work is reaping the desired rewards and there are many reasons for this. The club's committee, the entire administration, are doing a tremendous job and their constant backing has been very important for the team.

"There are other people who contribute a lot behind the scenes, especially the members of the technical sector, but the main actors are the players. Birkirkara's strong run in the league so far is entirely down to the players and their commitment.

"Week after week, the players have shown a great attitude because they believe in this project.

"I'm not saying this to steer clear of talk about our title chances. We're in a strong position but with seven games to go, 21 points at stake and two direct clashes with Valletta still to come, it's early to reach certain conclusions. There's a long way to go.

"At this time last year, Valletta (the team Zammit coached last season), were well behind Hibs but the title issue went down to the wire.

"At one stage, Valletta also leapfrogged Hibs with only a few games left but defeat to Marsaxlokk in the penultimate league game, undid the good work the team had done in the previous weeks."

Zammit went on to explain the "chain process" that has propelled Birkirkara to the forefront of this season's title race.

"Performances get you closer to achieving the desired results which in turn enhances the feelgood factor in the squad. Confidence and harmony then give you the strength to keep going," Zammit said.

"Ours is a game-by-game approach. In this season's Championship Pool, all six teams are capable of holding their own and take points against anybody.

"We are savouring this bright moment for our team but we also have to be ready to cope with adversity. In the Championship Pool, it's hard to recover lost ground if a team hits a sticky patch.

"At present, it looks as if the title race is between Birkirkara and Valletta because they are on top but there are other teams who can pose a threat, especially for the runner-up spot.

"As far as I'm concerned, my focus is on our match against Tarxien Rainbows on Saturday. The Valletta game will only come into the picture after our match against Tarxien has finished.

"Although all the teams in the top pool are competitive, there is no disputing the fact that one club has a phenomenal squad and that club is Valletta. Now they have further enhanced their potential with the signing of Michael Mifsud."

Birkirkara were one of the clubs that expressed an interest in Mifsud but Zammit refuted suggestions that the Malta striker's decision to join Valletta had caused dissatisfaction in their camp.

"Birkirkara were not disappointed that Mifsud opted to sign for another team," Zammit said. "The club had turned its sights on Mifsud in light of interest in Sylvano Comvalius from Spartak Nalchik.

"As much as we wanted to keep Comvalius, we genuinely made an effort to keep the player's interests in mind. We didn't want to deny Comvalius the opportunity to pursue his career overseas and this is why we gave him permission to attend two trials with Spartak Nalchik.

"We were willing to help the player but at the same time we also wanted to safeguard the interests of the team. We identified Mifsud as the best replacement if Comvalius joined Spartak Nalchik but it didn't happen.

"Frankly, we were keen to continue with the same players because things are going well for us. Why change something if it is functioning properly?"

Sliema's defeat of Valletta has caused ripples in the Premier League but Zammit doesn't consider this to be an extraordinary result.

"To a certain extent, I was surprised that Valletta lost but it's not a shock outcome," Zammit said. "On paper, Valletta have the best team but I've said since the early weeks of the season that Sliema also have a strong squad. They are one of the teams who can still challenge for the title.

"I went through a similar experience last season. A club can have the best players but football is played on the pitch, not on paper. Sliema are a match for any team in the top part of the standings."

Last season, Hibs defied the odds by pipping Valletta to the title and whispers that Birkirkara could emulate the Paolites' feat have grown louder in recent weeks.

Having endured the frustration of missing out on the title with Valletta, Zammit now finds himself plotting the downfall of his former team.

"Every season is different," Zammit said. "Last season, I was in charge of a team that, because of the hefty investment in new players, was installed as leading favourite to win the league.

"My situation is different now because I'm coaching a team that had to be rebuilt. I'm not comparing this season with the last.

"If anything, I can look back on past seasons and try to learn from certain situations. I experienced many contrasting emotions in the past few seasons but in life, you're always learning new things."

With Birkirkara improving by leaps and bounds under his tutelage, Zammit hopes that their positive work will lure more fans to the stadium.

"I was pleased to see more Birkirkara fans in the stands for the last few matches," Zammit said. "I want to say a big thank you to those supporters who have been behind the team from day one of the season."

Cilia nets award

Birkirkara received another boost yesterday with the news that winger Trevor Cilia has been named BOV player of the month for February.

Cilia, who has scored six goals for his team in the league so far, has played a key role in Birkirkara's push for the title this season.

Charles Borg, Chief Officer Financial Marketing and Investments at BOV, presented the BOV player of the month trophy to Cilia who chose the Puttinu Cares Group to benefit from the donation linked with this award.