Lattes wants to prove himself with Birkirkara

Emiliano Lattes is enjoying a new lease of life with Birkirkara.

Driven by a desire to show his true worth in the BOV Premier League after a tumultuous first year in Maltese football with the financially-stricken Msida St Joseph, Lattes has started the season on a high note, turning in dynamic performances in Birkirkara’s victories over Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians.

Lattes’s towering impact on the Stripes has certainly gone some way towards repaying the faith of Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit who moved swiftly to capture the Argentine after learning of his exit from Sliema Wanderers.

“I’m very happy at Birkirkara,” Lattes told The Times. “I hope that my performances will help the team challenge for the league title. On a personal level, I am working hard to improve. It’s easier for me to progress as a player now because I’m part of a strong team.”

The confidence and determination Zammit imparts on his charges has also enabled Lattes to settle quickly at Birkirkara. Further proof, if any were needed, of Zammit’s coaching expertise and man-management skills was provided last season when the former Valletta coach transformed Birkirkara from no-hopers to Premier League champions.

“The coach trusts in my abilities,” Lattes said. “I also have a very good relationship with my team-mates and their encouragement has helped me a lot. The dressing-room atmosphere at Birkirkara is great.”

After turning out for Sliema Wanderers in the pre-season Euro Challenge Cup and the Europa League, Lattes was widely expected to stay with the Blues for the rest of the season but the two parties eventually decided to go separate ways.

Having worked hard to gain a route back into Maltese football, Lattes must have been distraught at his unexpected departure from Sliema but his frustration soon gave way to joy as, in next to no time, he was on his way to Birkirkara.

As Lattes stroked the ball past Sliema goalkeeper Viktor Szentpeteri to seal Birkirkara’s 4-1 win in their opening league match, many were those who challenged the wisdom of the Blues’ decision to part with the 25-year-old winger.

“I played for Sliema Wanderers in the Europa League but after that we decided that it would be better to end our agreement,” Lattes said.

“When I was offered the option to join Birkirkara, I didn’t hesitate to sign for them.”

That Lattes should even contemplate a return to Maltese football baffled many in light of the problems he faced in his first season with Msida St Joseph. The Reds had lost their top-flight status at the end of the 2008/09 trek only to be reinstated to the Premier League after Vittoriosa Stars were demoted to Division One for match-fixing in the opening weeks of last season.

After securing a contract with Msida, then under the guidance of current Sliema coach Mark Marlow, Lattes quickly established himself as one of the team’s most influential players but the Saints’ travails, on and off the pitch, took their toll on the Argentine who quit the club in February.

“Last season was very difficult for me,” Lattes said. “Everything went wrong at Msida. We didn’t have a competitive team to challenge for Premier League survival and the club’s financial situation was bad.

“I was not getting my wage on time. I decided to leave because it was becoming very hard for me to stay here.”

After severing his links with Msida, Lattes decided to leave the country but he didn’t return to Mar Del Plata, the seaside Argentine town where his family is based.

“I went to Serbia and spent the final months of the season training with FK Spartak, a top-division club there,” Lattes said.

“I enjoyed my time with Spartak but I preferred to return to Malta.”

Lattes explained that his short stint with Msida only served to reinforce his determination to show his true mettle in Maltese football.

“I wanted to prove myself here,” Lattes said.

“I’m willing to do better than last year. With Msida, it was difficult to impress because the team was struggling but with Birkirkara I have a chance to show what I can do.”

Before coming to Malta, Lattes had spells in Spain, where he played for lower-league clubs, and the Czech Republic where he spent one season with SIAD Most.

Invited to give his views on the level of the Premier League, Lattes said: “This season the league is very competitive. The teams are stronger compared to last year. The standard is improving… this league is growing.”

Lattes, who scored a last-gasp winner for Birkirkara in their 2-1 success over Hibs last Friday, is clearly eager to do justice to his talent but his main priority is to help the Stripes retain their status as Malta champions.

“I’m willing to do my best to help Birkirkara retain the championship,” Lattes, who has signed a one-year deal with the Stripes with the option of another year, said.

“I want to win my first league medal with Birkirkara.”

Going into the third day of the 2010/11 BOV Premier League, Ħamrun Spartans had been the only team with a perfect record after two matches but they came unstuck last weekend.

The Spartans crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Sliema Wanderers who recorded their first victory after gaining only point from their opening two games.

Nigerian striker Obinna Obiefule fired Sliema ahead after 18 minutes but Massimo Grima equalised for the Spartans on the hour.

Obiefule then wasted a chance to restore the Wanderers’ lead as his penalty kick on 74 minutes hit the crossbar. It was left to Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, a second-half substitute, to settle the issue in Sliema’s favour as the former Birkirkara striker scored twice in the final 10 minutes for a final 3-1 scoreline.

Ħamrun’s slip-up in the final match of last weekend’s programme confirmed Valletta as the new leaders of the Premier League.

The Citizens maintained their unbeaten start with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Qormi, courtesy of Terrence Scerri’s late strike.

Champions Birkirkara atoned for their 2-0 upset to Floriana on Friday when they edged Hibernians 2-1 in a keenly-contested encounter.

Young forward Terence Vella scored with a curling drive on the stroke of half-time to give Birkirkara a 1-0 lead. Hibs, who had been the better side in the opening half, made it 1-1 when the excellent Andrew Cohen had the better of the equally brilliant Manuel Bartolo with a long-range shot four minutes from time.

Birkirkara’s fighting spirit came to the surface when Emiliano Lattes struck a last-gasp winner for the champions after some good work by Karl Pulo. The Stripes now have six points from three matches while Hibs’ first defeat left them on four points.

Tarxien and Marsaxlokk ob­tained their first win of the season last weekend.

Brazilian striker Cristiano had a penalty saved by the Vittoriosa keeper 20 minutes from time but Tarxien’s persistence came to fruition when Ricardo Costa picked his spot five minutes from time.

Marsaxlokk, who had gone 180 minutes without netting a goal, needed a penalty, converted by Argentine striker Julio Alcorse, to break their scoring duck and chalk up their first win of the campaign at the expense of Floriana who failed to build on their efficient display against Birkirkara.

Premier League statistics

Scorers

Birkirkara: Galea 2 (1 pen), Vella 2, Lattes 2.
Floriana: Mecerod, Dzhorov, Darmanin.
Ħamrun Spartans: Pereira 2, Shields 2, Grima 2; Mangion.
Hibernians: McManus 2; Caruana, Clarke, Herrera, Cohen.
Marsaxlokk: Alcorse pen.
Qormi: Mallia 3; Bjedov, J. Farrugia.
Sliema Wanderers: Mifsud Triganza 2; Obiefule, Lima. Red card: Mintoff (vs Birkirkara).
Tarxien Rainbows: Cristiano (pen) Ricardo Costa.
Valletta: Scerri 2; Sammut, Zammit, Falzon, Denni (pen).
Vittoriosa Stars: Ewurum 2. Red card: Campagnoli (vs Valletta).

Next Fixtures - (National Stadium)
October 15: 19.30 Birkirkara vs Valletta.
October 16: 15.00 Vittoriosa Stars vs Sliema Wanderers; 17.00 Qormi vs Tarxien Rainbows.
October 17: 15.00 Ħamrun Spartans vs Floriana; 17.00 Marsaxlokk vs Hibs.