Teams aim to hit ground running

The waiting is finally over. After months of intensive training and relentless activity in the transfer market, the 10 top-flight clubs will get down to the serious business of showing their credentials on the field of play as the 2010/11 Premier League gets under way today.

Expectations of a balanced championship are sky-high in light of the clubs’ bold endeavours to reinforce their squads. In the eyes of many coaches and critics, the increase in the number of foreign players from three to four ought to narrow the gap between the so-called big guns and the rest.

An explosive start is on the cards today as the season’s curtain-raiser pits Qormi against rivals Ħamrun Spartans (kick-off 17.00).

Both clubs have high hopes of producing a strong challenge for Championship Pool berths but Qormi, the surprise package last season, face a gargantuan task to emulate their top-four finish.

Stephen Azzopardi, Qormi’s new coach, has warned that his revamped squad may take some time to find rhythm.

“There is no doubt that we will try to take something from our opening game but at this point in time, we’re still in the process of gauging the true potential of our team,” Azzopardi told The Times.

“Qormi have practically changed the entire squad. Of last season’s starting XI, only six have remained. It takes time for a new team to gel.”

In the past few days, Qormi signed Croatian striker Kosta Bjedov, who had a short stint with Sliema Wanderers a few years back.

Bjedov, Dutch defender Jason Lee and South Korean midfielder Kang Ho Jung are expected to make their debut for Qormi today along with the likes of experienced midfielder George Mallia and Cleaven Frendo.

Abubakar Bello-Osagie was the first foreigner to sign a contract with Qormi this season but visa complications delayed the Nigerian forward’s journey to Malta. Bello-Osagie is now expected to join Qormi next week after receiving the all-clear to travel to Malta.

Ħamrun have added to the squad that helped the club retain their Premier League status.

The return of Ryan Fenech from his season-long loan with Sliema, allied with the capture of seasoned midfielders David Camilleri and Massimo Grima plus Scottish striker Dene Shields and Serbian defender Jovan Vukanovic, have enhanced the Spartans’ optimism of a positive campaign.

A victory over Qormi would represent a bold statement of intent by the Spartans but coach Steve D’Amato played down talk that the rivalry with their impending opponents has given their opening match an extra edge.

“For me, all games have the same importance,” D’Amato said.

“We’ve had a very good pre-season and the team has done well in friendlies but the serious stuff starts now.”

The second fixture in today’s programme is a duel between Floriana and Hibs, two teams eager to make amends for a disappointing season.

After a busy transfer campaign yielded a host of new signings, including Malta midfielder Ivan Woods, Malta U-21 captain Tyrone Farrugia as well as four new foreigners, Floriana are brimming with enthusiasm.

Bulgarian coach Todor Raykov, who has succeeded Zoran Popovic, has a full squad at his disposal.

The Paolites are also looking to a bright new dawn after they followed up their title success in 2008/09 with a dismal sixth-place finish last season.

Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, will be hoping that the new recruits, especially Scottish duo Paul McManus (forward) and Richie Hart (defender), Englishman Matthew Clarke (defender) and Serbian midfielder Zoran Levnaic, will have the desired impact on his team.

Apart from Jonathan Pearson, who is recovering from a long-term injury, Miller has no selection problems today.

Other matches

Tarxien vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 17.00, National Stadium).

Buoyed by their fifth-place finish in 2009/10, Tarxien have their sights set on victory in their opening clash by way of underlining their resolve to scale last season’s heights.

For their part, Marsaxlokk want to reclaim their status as a respected Premier League side after gaining immediate promotion to the top flight as Division One champions least season.

Tarxien, again be under the tutelage of Noel Coleiro, have recruited three new foreign players, re-signed Brazilian forward Daniel Mariano Bueno and made Justin Grioli’s loan move from Valletta permanent.

Versatile player Orosco Anonam has also joined the Rainbows after his contract with Floriana expired at the end of last season.

“We are well prepared for start of the league trek,” Coleiro said.

“Our aim is to improve and I believe we have a better team.”

In addition to retaining Bulgarian players Emil Yantchev and Rumen Galabov, Marsaxlokk have brought in Nigerian striker Alfred Effiong, Portuguese midfielder Ruben Guerriero and Argentine forward Julio Alcorse who has returned for a second spell with the southseasiders.

Former Floriana defender Sunday Eboh has also joined Marsaxlokk.

“We are looking forward to our return to the Premier League,” Patrick Curmi, the Marsaxlokk coach, said.

“Everyone is anticipating a hard-fought and balanced championship where all teams can take points off each other.”

Valletta vs Vittoriosa Stars (tomorrow at 19.00, National Stadium).

Valletta launch their quest to regain the Premier League title with a match against newly-promoted Vittoriosa Stars.

On paper, the Citizens are sure favourites to win but Vittoriosa, who have made a raft of new signings in the close season, will be looking to give their more-quoted opponents a good run for their money.

Jesmond Zerafa is expected to hand a debut to left-back Ian Azzopardi.

Defender Kenneth Scicluna (groin) and midfielder Edmond Agius (broken foot) are in the final stages of their rehab from injuries.

Winston Muscat, the Vittoriosa Stars coach, is expected to name several new signings in his starting team, including three Brazilian players, Nigerian forward Anthony Ewurum and lanky defender Stephen Wellman.

Sliema Wanderers vs Birkirkara (Monday at 19.30, National Stadium).

Birkirkara’s hopes of starting their title defence with a victory suffered a huge setback yesterday with the news that four of their players had been banned for brawling with Valletta officials after the end of the BOV Super Cup match last month.

Shaun Bajada, Paul Fenech and Patrick Borg have been suspended for two matches while Serbian defender Nikola Vukanac has received a three-match ban.

“It’s a big blow for us,” Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit said.

“In the last two months, I was unable to prepare the team as I wished due to injuries and the national team’s commitments.

“Now these suspensions have complicated matters for us. We are starting the league season with a massive handicap.”

Apart from the suspended quartet, Zammit is also sweating on the fitness of Alan Tabone and Rowen Muscat. Karl Pulo must serve a one-match ban after being red-carded in extra-time of the Super Cup match.

The Stripes’ woes will have boosted Sliema’s confidence ahead of Monday’s encounter but coach Mark Marlow struck a cautious note.

“I’m not paying much attention to Birkirkara’s problems,” Marlow said.

“I always study the opponents, moreso if they are a top team like Birkirkara who are the current champions but I prefer to focus on our gameplan and the performance of my team.”

Marlow increased his pool of foreign players to six after Sliema offered a contract to Brazilian striker Jackson Lima.

Steve Bezzina, signed on a season-long loan from Valletta, is sidelined with injury while Malta wing-back Alex Muscat is recovering from a cruciate operation.

Ticket prices

The Malta FA yesterday issued a clarification about the new pricing structure for BOV Premier League matches.

It said that elderly persons in possession of Karta Anzjan will continue to pay €4 while admission for children under 12 remained free.

On Thursday, Antoine Portelli, the MFA’s new treasurer, announced the introduction of a fixed ticket price of €6 (men and women) for top-flight matches.