Rivals relish intriguing final

The level of expectation for this season’s U*Bet FA Trophy final has risen by several notches after the verdict from last weekend’s semi-finals threw up a mouth-watering showdown between neighbouring foes Valletta and Floriana on Sunday, Kevin Azzopardi writes...

Their confidence sky-high after winning the league title without conceding a defeat, Valletta kept their treble dream alive after Denni’s extra-time screamer gave them a 1-0 victory over Tarxien Rainbows and secured their place in the final.

Floriana’s passage to Sunday’s cup decider was more straight-forward as they didn’t need extra-time to down Birkirkara by the odd goal in three.

Maltese football, desperately in need of a boost in the wake of the match-fixing allegations surrounding the national team’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Norway, is bracing itself for an enthralling finale to the domestic season as two of its biggest rivals will be vying for the coveted FA Trophy.

Denni, Valletta’s goal hero on Saturday, feels that the champions have regained their competitive edge after looking somewhat jaded in their final three league games after they had already clinched the title.

“We are back in competition,” Denni said.

“In the last three league games, our only concern was to get to the finish line and remain unbeaten but the FA Trophy is different as there is an honour at stake.”

Saturday’s semi-final seemed headed for a penalty shoot-out.

With only five minutes of extra-time remaining, the score was still goalless but Denni settled the issue with a well-hit strike.

The Brazilian stalwart was not surprised that Tarxien put up a strong fight.

“A cup semi-final is always tough and to play against a team like Tarxien is always difficult because they have good foreign players,” Denni observed.

Denni’s extra-time winner broke the hearts of Tarxien, his former club, but the Brazilian said he was only concerned about leading Valletta into the final.

“I scored against Hibs in extra-time and I did it again in the semi-final,” Denni said.

“I was only thinking about putting Valletta in the final of the FA Trophy.”

The delirious celebrations that marked Valletta’s title triumph ought to increase their players’ desire to make it a treble but Denni stressed that the cham-pions need to focus only on their final against Floriana.

“We should remember that the league is behind us now,” Denni said.

“The title party was great but it’s in the past now. We’re focusing on this competition.

“Games against Floriana mean a lot to our fans, even if it’s a friendly let alone a cup final. This is much more important but we have a good record against them this season.”

After claiming the runners-up spot in the Premier League, Floriana provided further evi-dence of their improvement by beating Birkirkara in the semi-final.

Floriana’s progress did not surprise Denni.

“I’m not surprised that Floriana are in the final of the Trophy,” he remarked.

“I was expecting it because they have good players and a good coach. They have improved but we are ready for them.”

Denni’s vibrant showing on Saturday can only have increased his optimism about capping an excellent season with Valletta by adding another honour to his growing collection.

“I have worked hard all year to help Valletta be successful and get to the last game of the season with a chance of winning a trophy,” Denni, the 2009/10 winner of The Times best player award, said.

“My aim is to keep playing well in the next few seasons.”

A finalist in the best foreigner category at this year’s GO Malta Football Awards, Denni is re-portedly attracting the interest of some foreign clubs but he has no intentions to quit Valletta.

Asked about his future, Denni revealed that his long-term ambition is to play for Malta if he ever gets the chance to obtain Maltese citizenship.

“I’m happy with Valletta and I’m not looking to go anywhere,” Denni, 27, said.

“My ambition is to play for the national team of Malta. I don’t know if the coach (of the national team) would pick me if I were available because there are some good Maltese players in my position but I wish to get the chance to play for Malta.

“Someone told me that, to apply for Maltese citizenship, you must have lived here for five years. I don’t know the rules but maybe someone can help me on this.

“I’m playing for the biggest club here and my family is happy.

“I’ve received some interesting offers, money-wise, to go to play in places like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and also Australia, but the well-being of my family comes before money.”

Farrugia impact

Like Denni,Tyrone Farrugia has enjoyed a very positive season since joining Floriana from Msida St Joseph last summer.

The former Malta U-21 captain has not only cemented a regular place in the heart of Floriana’s defence, he has also weighed in with some crucial goals, including one which clinched victory for the Greens in Sunday’s FA Trophy semi-final.

“I’m happy that Floriana have reached the final of the FA Trophy,” Farrugia said.

“Now I hope we go all the way and win the competition.”

Farrugia, who scored Floriana’s goal in the 1-1 derby draw against Valletta last month, acknowledged that the newly-crowned champions have the strongest team but insisted that they are not unbeatable.

“Valletta are the best but on our day, we can beat anyone,” Farrugia, 22, said.

“With the form we’re in at present, I believe we can beat them in the final.”

Farrugia is pleased that his first season with Floriana has been a success.

“I’m satisfied about the way my first season with Floriana has gone so far,” Farrugia said.

“I believe this has been the best year of my career and I hope to improve further.

“I’ve also scored some important goals but that is a bonus really. I like to go forward, especially in set-pieces, and I’m very confident about my scoring abilities.

“The coach always encourages me to push forward when we have a set-piece because my presence gives us something extra in the box.”

Floriana were worth their win on Sunday as they were the better side for long stretches but Farrugia almost went from hero to villain.

Just four minutes after putting his side 2-0 up, he gave away a penalty after referee Andre Arciola deemed that Farrugia had touched the ball with his hands as he dived to block a shot from Andrei Agius.

Birkirkara reduced the arrears from the resultant penalty to add to Farrugia’s sense of injustice as the Floriana powerhouse claimed that his hands made no contact with the ball.

“I was optimistic about our chances of beating Birkirkara,” Farrugia said.

“It was a difficult match, especially after they were awarded that penalty. It was definitely the wrong decision because the ball came off my face and chest, it didn’t touch my hands, but the referee deemed otherwise.

“After pulling one back, Birkir-kara increased their pressure, especially in the final minutes, but we had some clear chances to close the game.”

Floriana’s victory on Sunday sparked wild celebrations among their fans amid feelings of joy and relief that their team had given themselves the chance to end the club’s long wait for a piece of silverware.

“I’m looking forward to the final,” Farrugia said.

“The supporters were very happy after the match as Floriana haven’t been in the final of the Trophy for a long time. The final promises to be a spectacular occasion for Maltese football and I hope it will bring joy to us.”