San Ġiljan Sir Alex are set to join Neptunes Emirates at the top of the BOV Premier League standings this evening if, as expected, they beat Exiles Ferretti who are still without a win after two matches.
Neptunes, Malta champions for the past three years, are considered as the outright contenders for the league title this summer.
The scorching form shown by the Reds at this early stage of the campaign, backed by top-notch performances in the matches against Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate and Sirens Ritter Sport in particular, adds weight to their favourites’ tag.
San Ġiljan have come through their opening matches with flying colours, following up their thrilling victory over Sliema with a con-vincing win over Sirens.
Karl Izzo has instilled a winning mentality in his players and his work is being appreciated by the San Ġiljan supporters.
The Balluta Bay club have been living in the shadow of Neptunes and Sliema for several years but this season’s squad, boosted by the presence of valid foreign players Marko Avramovic and Peter Biros, not to mention the sterling con-tribution of left-hander Matthew Zammit, looks well-equipped to last the distance and challenge the champions for the major prize.
It is difficult to imagine Exiles putting a spoke in the Saints’ wheels this evening but no team can be taken lightly in a tight five-team championship.
That includes Aurelien Cousin’s Exiles who have been unable to show their true worth so far after two difficult opening matches against more-quoted opponents.
Exiles had more time to gel since their last outing though. Foreign duo Romain Blary and Vojaslav Cupic are settling in nicely (they scored seven of their team’s goals in the 14-9 upset to Sliema the week before).
However, more is required from the local players in Cousin’s squad for Exiles to lift their game and produce a stronger challenge to the big guns.
Sliema can rely on a wider base of first-team players but these are still difficult days for the Blues, temporarily under the hands of interim coach Peter Decesare following the departure of Sergio Afric.
The Blues started the cham-pionship with two rare defeats on the trot but returned to winning ways in their last outing against Exiles, Afric’s last at the helm of the team.
The loss of a coach of Afric’s calibre at this crucial phase of the season is not a good omen for Sliema but there’s plenty of matches left for them to recover lost ground, starting with tomorrow’s fixture against Sirens.
Sirens also had a poor start to the summer season after conceding two heavy defeats in as many matches.
Fixtures
Today: 18.00 Marsaxlokk vs Ta’ Xbiex; 19.15 Exiles vs San Ġiljan.
Tomorrow: 16.45 ASA U-17 vs Valletta; 18.00 Marsascala vs Otters; 19.15 Sliema vs Sirens.