Tarxien, Qormi target first final appearance

Tarxien Rainbows and Qormi have their sights firmly set on reaching the U*Bet FA Trophy final for the first time in their history when they clash in today's second semi-final at the National Stadium (kick-off 7.30 p.m.).

The two Premier League teams are making their first appearance in a Trophy semi-final and both are determined to go one step further as they look to turn a highly positive season into a memorable one by winning the KO competition.

For Qormi, this evening's match offers an added incentive as success in the FA Trophy would earn them an historic qualification to the Europa League next season, thus avoiding a tense decider with Sliema Wanderers after the two teams finished joint-third in the league.

Vince Carbonaro, the Qormi coach, said the prospect of European football has galvanised all the members of his squad.

"Reaching the semi-finals of the FA Trophy is already a great achievement for our club," Carbonaro told The Times.

"Qormi have never come this far in the KO but we have no plans of stopping here. Our objective is to qualify for the Europa League and we can achieve this target by winning the FA Trophy... everyone is determined to reach this goal.

"We know that Tarxien will be very difficult opponents. There is a perfect balance in head-to-head meetings this season as we have won two games apiece. However, I'm confident that if we play to our best, we can pass this hurdle and make it to the final."

The Qormi coach is unable to field his strongest team tonight as Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong must serve a one-match ban while defender Roderick Sammut has failed to recover from the injury suffered against Sliema earlier this month.

Carbonaro said defender Steve Wellman has been given the green light by the MFA to play in today's semi-final despite being given a one-match ban after picking his fourth yellow card in Qormi's 3-0 victory over Sliema in their final league match. The former Malta international has been told that he must see out his suspension in an eventual decider against Sliema or in the first match from a domestic competition next season.

For Tarxien, tonight's match will mark their second appearance in a semi-final this season after they were edged out by Valletta 3-1 after extra-time in the National League 100 Anniversary Cup.

Coach Noel Coleiro is confident Tarxien can reach their first ever Trophy final.

"The semi-final against Qormi is our biggest match of the season," Coleiro said.

"We have the opportunity to progress to the final of a cup competition for the first time in the club's history and we are determined not to let this opportunity slip from our grasp. Having an almost full squad puts us in a great position."

"The loss of Alfred Effiong could be a big blow to Qormi as he is a very important player for them," Coleiro added.

"I hope my players seize the chance by putting on a great performance."

Coleiro is boosted by the return to fitness of Brazilian forward Anderson Ribeiro who has fully recovered from the toe injury that ruled him out of his team's final matches in the BOV Premier League.

Lee Galea is the only absentee for the Rainbows as he must serve a one-match ban.

Qormi saw off Mqabba (3-0), St Patrick (5-1) and Hibs (1-1 - 4-3 on pens) on their way to the semi-finals. Tarxien eliminated Mosta (5-1), Floriana (4-1 aet) and Balzan Youths 2-0.