San Ġiljan Sir Alex are one match away from ending their 18-year wait for the national league title.
If they avoid defeat in tomor-row’s top-of-the-table clash with Neptunes Emirates, the Saints will seal their ninth championship, a scenario that looked improbable less than four weeks ago.
San Ġiljan had started the month in second place, three points behind then leaders Neptunes after playing second fiddle to the Reds for most of the opening two rounds of the competition.
Sergio Afric took time to settle in his new environs at San Ġiljan following the unexpected depar-ture of Karl Izzo but the Croatian coach, who had started the season at the helm of Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate, gradually began to stamp his mark on the team.
The Saints grew in confidence with every match. Indeed, their 14-13 victory over Neptunes in the last fixture of the second round on August 3, stunning as it was, did not take everyone by surprise even though it was the champions’ first upset of the season after seven straight victories.
That streak included the annihilation of the Saints in the first round – 19-9 – back in June.
With the two contenders level at the top of the standings, San Ġiljan went on to extend their positive run into the third round but Neptunes’ confidence was now in tatters.
Successive defeats to Sliema, one in the league and the other in the KO final, mean that Sergey Markoch’s men are approaching tomorrow’s do-or-die encounter with their morale at a low ebb and at risk of finishing the summer season, which looked full of promise not long ago, almost empty-handed with only the President’s Cup to show.
Perhaps, the only positive thing for the Reds, who trail San Ġiljan by three points, is that they have had ample time to regroup and prepare for this crucial match as they’ve been out of action since the KO final on August 20.
Tough as it may seem, Neptunes will do their utmost to hit back and take the title issue to a decider.
They certainly have enough experience and quality within their squad to match San Ġiljan but, in the end, all will hinge on the ability of the two teams to keep their composure and cope with the tension as the drama unfolds tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Division One champions Valletta United will be in party mood this evening as they play their last match of the season against Ta’ Xbiex Amigos.
This match was originally scheduled for tomorrow but at the request of the competition sponsors – Bank of Valletta – and the City team, the ASA moved the fixture to this evening so there will be enough room for the trophy presentation ceremonies and for fans to celebrate in the stands.
Programme
Today: 18.00 Ta’ Xbiex vs Valletta. 19.15 Sirens vs Exiles.
Tomorrow: 16.45 Marsascala vs ASA U-17; 18.00 Otters vs Marsaxlokk. 19.15 San Ġiljan vs Neptunes.