Holders Valletta face Tarxien in semis

Holders Valletta will face Tarxien Rainbows and Birkirkara clash with Floriana in the U*Bet FA Trophy semi-finals after the draw was made yesterday during the MFA’s weekly television programme on TVM.

Valletta, who are chasing a domestic treble after winning the league championship and the Super Cup this season, avoided a potentially tougher semi-final after neighbouring rivals Floriana and Birkirkara were pitted against each other.

This will be the second semi-final meeting between Valletta and Tarxien in a cup competition in the past 15 months. Last season, the Citizens beat the Rainbows 3-1 after extra-time on the way to winning the National League 100 Anniversary Cup final at the expense of Floriana.

Valletta, who needed extra-time to edge Hibernians 1-0 in the quarter-finals, have a perfect record against Tarxien this season after winning all three of their league matches so far.

Tarxien, who knocked out Balzan, Ħamrun and Vittoriosa in the previous rounds, have reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy for the second season in a row. Last year, they lost 2-0 to Qormi.

Birkirkara and Floriana are eager to end their season on a top note by lifting the U*Bet FA Trophy.

Floriana advanced to the semi-finals after beating Lija, Mosta and Qormi while Birkirkara needed penalties to oust Sliema in the quarter-finals following a 3-3 draw.

The Greens have the edge over the Stripes in head-to-head meetings this season after winning two of the three matches played so far.

The two semi-finals will take place on May 14 and 15 with the final scheduled for May 22.