Birkirkara, Floriana braced for competitive encounter

Malta’s tenacious performance in Tuesday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Italy went some way towards enhancing the battered image of our football.

As the focus returns to the domestic competitions, fans and critics must be hoping that the national team’s showing inspires the players and teams to serve up more entertaining and enterprising fare during local games, starting with this weekend’s BOV Premier League fixtures.

Champions Valletta, Hibs and Birkirkara will be aiming to extend their perfect start to the season after gaining maximum points from their first three outings. Of the early pacesetters, Birkirkara appear to have the toughest game as, weather-permitting, they take on Floriana this evening at the Hibs Stadium (kick-off 7 p.m.).

The Greens come into this game buoyed by a 3-1 win over Balzan Youths, their first of the season after two draws.

For their part, Birkirkara had to fight hard to take three points from their clash with newcomers Rabat Ajax in their last outing before the international break.

Birkirkara look to have an edge over Floriana but coach Paul Zammit is braced for a tough encounter.

“We’re at the start of the season and, with due respect to the teams we have played so far, we’re still waiting for that test where we can gauge the true potential of our team,” Zammit said.

“Sterner challenges lie ahead. We’ve been tested by lesser-quoted sides as, in certain phases of our previous games, we struggled a bit but this match is against one of the teams who, on paper at least, are on a par with us.”

Zammit has no selection problems as Shola Shodiya Haruna and Joselito have recovered from the knocks they sustained in the win over Balzan and Rowen Muscat has shaken off the injury that forced him to come off in the first half of the Malta U-21 team’s defeat against Ukraine last week.

Although these are still early days, Zammit is keen for his team to achieve consistency.

“In the first round, you assess your strength but if Birkirkara want to be competitive, we have to be consistent,” Zammit said. “You have to come through these tricky games in order to be well-prepared when you meet the big teams like Valletta and Hibs.

“In the league, you can’t underestimate anyone. Mosta, for example, have got the material to challenge any team.”

Alan Lewer, the assistant to Floriana coach Mark Wright, is aware that his team are in for a difficult match.

“Birkirkara are a very good side,” Lewer told The Times. “They are very quick and have a good system that suits them.”

Lewer declared himself pleased with Floriana’s form in this early phase of the season.

“We’re quite happy with the team,” Lewer said.

“Floriana didn’t have a pre-season but we have gradually improved the players’ physical condition over a period of time. We’re satisfied with the team’s start to the season.”

Wright, the former Liverpool and England defender, and Lewer only took charge of Floriana in late August after an English company took control of the club following the appointment of Justin Attard as club president.

Wary of Birkirkara’s strength, Lewer said Floriana will be happy if they gather a point from today’s match.

“A good result against Birkirkara would be a big plus for us,” Lewer said. “From what I’ve seen, Valletta, Hibs and Birkirkara are the best sides.

“Birkirkara have got a lot of pace in their team and they work hard in midfield. We have to give them great respect and we’re surely not taking anything for granted.

“For us, if we get a point, it would be a good result.”

Valletta and Hibs face promoted teams

Qormi vs Sliema Wanderers (today 17.00, Hibs Stadium).

This is a clash between two teams that are itching to return to winning ways after losing their last game.

Qormi were no match for Valletta, going down 3-0, while Sliema slumped to their first defeat of the season at the hands of Mosta.

Malta U-21 midfielder Triston Caruana is still sidelined for Qormi as he continues to recover from a cartilage operation. Stephen Azzopardi, the Qormi coach, is hopeful of receiving the all clear from the club to field new signing Edison Bilbao Zarate, from Chile.

Alfonso Greco, the Sliema Wanderers coach, was due to check on the fitness of veteran forward Ivan Woods who has a minor injury but otherwise, the Italian has a full squad at his disposal.

Rabat Ajax vs Hibs (tomorrow 17.00, National Stadium).

Hibs are widely tipped to stretch their winning run when they meet promoted side Rabat Ajax in a match that will see two former Hibs and Malta stalwarts, Michael Woods and Silvio Vella, leading the two sides.

Woods, the Hibs coach, is concerned about the fitness of Brazilian forward Marcelo Dias who picked up an injury during training. Malta U-21 striker Jean Paul Farrugia is set to return after recovering from a minor operation.

Defender Jason Lee Vandelannoite is out as he is still serving a 28-day suspension imposed on him by Hibs for indiscipline.

Vella will be without Nerijus Astrauskas after the Lithuanian striker received a two-match ban for comments he passed to one of the assistant referees at the end of his side’s 2-0 loss to Birkirkara.

Melita vs Valletta (tomorrow 19.00, National Stadium).

Valletta are expected to make it four wins on the trot but Melita, promoted to the Premier League as Division One champions last season, ought to derive encouragement from their improved showing in the second half of their 3-1 defeat to Hibs.

Roderick Briffa, outstanding for Malta in the defeat to Italy, suffered a pulled back muscle on Tuesday in Modena but is expected to be fit to face Melita. Striker Ian Zammit is still recovering from injury.

Spanish player Manuel Ramon Sierra Camacho is set to make his first appearance for Melita this season after recovering from injury but Michael Martin is still unavailable.

Tarxien vs Balzan (Monday 18.00, National Stadium).

Tarxien and Balzan will be going all out to gain their first win of the season after claiming only one point from their first three games.

Balzan will be looking to make amends following their disappointing display in the 3-1 defeat to Floriana.

Ivan Zammit, the Balzan coach, is expected to hand a first start to striker Christian Caruana but defender Jonathan Francica is ruled out with a foot injury.

Clive Mizzi, the Tarxien coach, will surely demand an improved performance from his players after they threw away a one-goal lead against ten-man Spartans in their last outing.

The only absentee for the Rainbows is midfielder Luiz Romulo De Castro who has not recovered from a knee injury.

Ħamrun vs Mosta (Monday 20.00, National Stadium).

A tight encounter is anticipated when Ħamrun face Mosta in the final match of this weekend’s programme.

Mosta picked up their first win of the season after beating Sliema 2-0 in their last outing.

Coach Steve D’Amato will be determined to build on that positive result with a strong showing against the Spartans, who drew each of their opening three games.

Defender Alex Cini is out with ankle trouble while Ryan Grech must serve a one-match ban.

Stefan Sultana, the Ħamrun coach, must cope without defender Roderick Fenech and goalkeeper Andrea Cassar, both suspended. Winger Gianluca Calabretta is doubtful.

Christian Cassar joined the Spartans this week after penning a one-year deal but the former Floriana midfielder is still three weeks away from completing his rehabilitation from a cruciate operation.

The focus is back on domestic matters as the BOV Premier League resumes today after the international break. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar