Birkirkara’s Edward Herrera (left) pulls clear of Valletta defender Ryan Camilleri. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Eclipsed by champions Hibernians for much of the past 10 months, Valletta and Birkirkara will be going all out to strengthen their chances of ending an otherwise lacklustre season on a high when they meet in the FA Trophy semi-final this evening at the National Stadium (kick-off 5pm).

As the dust settles on a generally low-key 2014/15 campaign, expectations are high that the last three games of the knock-out competition, sponsored by Attian Group, will conjure up some much-needed excitement, starting with today’s showdown between two of the biggest rivals in Maltese football.

The second semi-final, between Hibernians and Qormi, will be played tomorrow.

Valletta, the deposed champions, finished above Birkirkara in the league but their build-up for today’s semi-final has been anything but plainsailing.

Their meek capitulation to Hibernians in their final league outing last weekend did little to encourage the belief that the holders are hitting peak form at the right moment while injuries to Steve Borg, who underwent knee surgery on Tuesday, and Jonathan Caruana have robbed them of two crucial players.

Ivan Zammit, the Valletta coach, admitted that the absence of his two first-choice defenders has put a further strain on an already limited squad but he hopes that the team’s collective effort will offset the difficulties.

“The players have clearly done everything to finish as high as possible in this season’s champion-ship,” Zammit said.

“I believe the team has done well to finish second, considering the limitation of the squad compared to previous years.

“This has not been an easy week for us as we have lost two central defenders who, in my opinion, are the best in Malta and we’re still without a striker.

“We have a very difficult task on our hands but our priority is that the players walk on to the pitch determined to give more than their 100 per cent.

“I’ve made it clear to them that they have to demonstrate that they deserve the shirt of this glorious club by showing enthusiasm and commitment. I only have 11 senior players available for this game but I still believe that we have enough quality to win the FA Trophy.”

Besides Borg and Caruana, whose knee injury is not as serious as initially feared, Valletta will also be without striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu whose season has been plagued by fitness problems.

On a much better note for the Whites, Caruana has just signed a new five-year deal.

News that Caruana, who is also a first-choice defender for the national team, has committed himself to the Citizens until 2020 is a timely tonic for Valletta, moreso after midfielder Paul Fenech, the club’s no.1 transfer target, opted to extend his contract with Birkirkara.

Fenech looked to have played his last game in a red and yellow shirt after the club ordered him to train on his own when talks over a new contract stalled but the 28-year-old is back in the frame after inking a new three-year deal.

Off the pitch, it has been a fruitful week for the Stripes as they have also tied goalkeeper Justin Haber and midfielder Rowen Muscat to new deals, in the process enhancing the fans’ optimism ahead of today’s semi-final.

Coach Paul Zammit reckons that the players concerned will have a clear mind after sorting out their futures but contract issues were put aside as the squad is only concentrating on today’s semi-final.

“The two things are linked but they are separate at the same time,” Zammit said.

“From a collective point-of-view, we are fully concentrating on this semi-final.

“We are only thinking about the next match.

“Any semi-final has its importance. We have been working with tranquility but obviously the fact that some players have settled their futures will give them peace of mind. In football, it’s important to have this stability as it helps you to focus fully on your job.”

The absence of Borg and Caruana for Valletta will be viewed as a boost for Birkirkara but Zammit is not dwelling on this.

“Everyone knows that Valletta are a big club with a strong team, whatever the circumstances,” he said.

“We are conscious of their qualities but the most important thing is that we focus on ourselves rather than the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.

“The pluses and minuses of the opposing team are tactical issues. I’ve been working hard to make sure that we prepare ourselves for this challenge in the best way we can.”

Shola Shodiya Haruna is out for Birkirkara as he is recovering from a knee operation while forward Eliandro has been released.

Birkirkara eased past Pietà Hotspurs 3-0 in the quarter-finals while Valletta, who beat Sliema Wanderers 1-0 in last year’s final, progressed to the last four of the FA Trophy with a 3-1 win over Mosta.

Previous encounters: Valletta vs Birkirkara 0-2, 1-1, 2-1.