Valletta and Sliema Wanderers are two of the most successful clubs in the FA Trophy but one of them will not even make the last eight of this year’s competition after being pitted against each other in the fourth round.
Today’s Valletta-Sliema clash (kick-off 16.00) is the stand-out tie of this weekend’s programme which features another two all-Premier encounters – Balzan-Floriana and Birkirkara-Ħamrun.
Having missed out on the double after going down 1-0 to Floriana in last year’s final, Valletta are eager to make amends but they have a tough task on their hands to make headways.
Although Sliema’s fortunes have taken a nosedive in recent years, the Blues still command a lot of respect and, under the tutelage of Danilo Doncic, they have earned a reputation as a hard-to-beat side.
Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa is under no illusion about the difficulty of today’s game.
“We got a tough draw,” Zerafa told The Times.
“Sliema are one of most organised teams in the league but, sooner or later, you have to play against the more-quoted sides in the FA Trophy.
“These are do-or-die affairs but I think that after our experience last weekend (Valletta needed a late winner to beat Mqabba 2-1 in a league game), the players are more prepared for this match.”
Zerafa acknowledged that Valletta have a strong desire to atone for their defeat in last season’s final but warned against the perils of looking beyond the next game.
“Last year, it (the Trophy) slipped through our grasp,” he said.
“It was our fault that we lost the final but I hope we learn from that and move on.
“There’s still a long way to go and we have to take one game at a time. Our first and most important task is to eliminate Sliema.”
Ousseni Zongo, the Burkina Faso winger, is struggling with a rib injury. Defender Steve Borg is also doubtful after picking up a knee problem against Mqabba.
Doncic lamented his side’s difficult build-up to this clash as he strives to offset the negative effects of the departure of Jorge and Jackson Lima and the uncertainty surrounding the future of striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
“Since January 1, we’ve been going through a turbulent time and I’m not happy with the situation,” Doncic said.
“Before the start of 2012, I thought that, with one or two additions to the squad, we could become a more competitive side but we’ve had some unexpected changes instead.
“There’s been a lot of uncertainty and we’ve had to make some new signings. I hope things settle down quickly.
“It’s not easy when you lose key players. The new ones, Ryan Fenech and Emiliano Lattes, are valid players but not the direct replacements for Jorge and Jackson Lima besides needing more time to settle in.”
Doncic is backing his players to rise above the difficulties and produce a spirited showing against Valletta.
“Despite all these problems, I know that my players have character. Playing against the best team is a source of great motivation for the team,” Doncic said.
“Trophy games are all deciders. Hopefully, my players will transfer their motivation and willingness to do well to the field of play. This season, we have produced our best performances against the big teams but lacked consistency when we played against less-quoted opponents.”
Nigerian forward Jerry Ani is set to miss today’s game after sustaining an injury in the 2-1 league defeat to Balzan but otherwise Doncic has no selection worries.
Sliema, who top the FA Trophy winners’ list with 20 triumphs, beat Mqabba 4-2 in the previous round while Valletta, winners of the competition 12 times, eased to a 2-0 win over St Patrick.
The other fourth round matches this weekend...
Balzan Youths vs Floriana (today at 14.00, National Stadium).
Floriana, the holders, face a tough hurdle in the shape of in-form Balzan Youths.
Both teams are on a high after recording come-from-behind 2-1 wins in their last league outings. Floriana had the better of Qormi while Balzan stunned Sliema Wanderers.
Nigerian striker Onome Sodje is out for Floriana after undergoing surgery on a fractured wrist. Coach Michael Woods is assessing an Italian midfielder but he is not expected to play today.
Balzan coach Ivan Zammit is concerned about the fitness of Nikola Tasic who has an ankle injury. Clifton Ciantar and Roderick Farrugia are also sidelined with injuries.
The Greens trounced Luqa 6-1 in the third round while Balzan scraped past Żejtun 2-1.
Marsaxlokk vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 14.00, Centenary Stadium).
This promises to be a balanced encounter as Marsaxlokk, the bottom team in the Premier League, take on Pietà Hotspurs, the leaders of Division One.
Both teams will fancy their chances of booking a place in the quarter-finals.
Marsaxlokk reached the fourth round after a 4-3 win over San Ġwann while Pietà produced the shock of the third round when they trounced Premier League outfit Tarxien Rainbows 3-0.
Mellieħa vs Qormi (today at 16.00, Centenary Stadium).
Qormi start favourites to reach the last eight as they face the only survivors from Division Two – Mellieħa.
Stephen Azzopardi, the Qormi coach, will surely warn his players against taking anything for granted, moreso after their 2-1 defeat to Floriana who played with 10 men for almost 70 minutes.
Azzopardi was taking charge of his 250th Premier League match last weekend and his 300th in all competitions for top-flight clubs.
Captain Joseph Farrugia and Jonathan Bondin are back in the frame for Qormi after suspension but forward Abubakar Bello-Osagie is not available as he’s having a trial with Polish club Cracovia.
Qormi, who edged Gżira 1-0 in the third round, have released Scottish midfielder Stuart Duff.
Mellieħa, third in Division Two, have some experienced players in their ranks, including former Qormi midfielder Keith Fenech, who came out of retirement to join his hometown club, and William Borg.
Mellieħa beat Siġġiewi 4-3 on penalties in the previous round.
Rabat Ajax vs Hibs (tomorrow at 14.00, Hibs Stadium).
This encounter promises to be an emotional occasion for Rabat coach Silvio Vella who spent the best years of his playing career with the Paolites.
Hibs, second in the Premier League and buoyed by their 2-1 win over Tarxien, are favourites to advance but coach Mark Miller will surely be urging his players not to take Rabat lightly, moreso after the Paolites conceded three goals in their 5-3 win over Pembroke in the previous round.
Miller is not expected to make many changes from the team he fielded in the derby.
Rabat beat Kirkop 3-0 in the third round.
Birkirkara vs Ħamrun (tomorrow at 16.00, Hibs Stadium).
Birkirkara meet Ħamrun in the third and final fourth round match between top-division sides.
The Stripes, 4-0 winners over Vittoriosa Stars in the previous round, look to have a psychological edge over Ħamrun but the latter must be relishing the prospect of gaining a reprieve from their league troubles with a morale-boosting win in the KO.
Dutch defender Regi Nooitmeer is unlikely to make his debut for Birkirkara and striker Shola Haruna is also sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Spartans coach Jesmond Zammit hopes to get the all-clear to field Rupert Mangion and Gaetan Spiteri who are struggling to shake off minor injuries.
Croatian defender Nikica Gacesa and Swiss midfielder Carlo Polli are no longer part of the Ħamrun squad. Danish defender Ron Hartvig and a Serbian centre-half are training with the Reds but they are not expected to be involved tomorrow.
Ħamrun enjoyed an easy passage into the fourth round after a 3-1 defeat of Dingli.
Mosta vs Xewkija Tigers (tomorrow at 14.00, Centenary Stadium).
Mosta will be optimistic about their chances of making further progress as they face Xewkija Tigers, the only Gozitan side left in the competition.
Xewkija, the current leaders of the GFA Division One standings, have done well to reach the last 16 following wins over Swieqi, Mdina and Senglea.
Steve D’Amato, the Mosta coach, has no injury problems. Tanzanian striker Zakaria Kibona has agreed to join the Blues until the end of the season but it remains to be seen whether he will be registered in time to play tomorrow.
Mosta beat Msida St Joseph 1-0 in the previous round.
St George’s vs Lija Athletic (tomorrow at 16.00, Centenary Stadium).
Division One strugglers St George’s and Lija will be chasing a much-needed tonic when they face off with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
The two sides are fighting against relegation after a dismal campaign so far with only one point separating Lija and second-from-bottom St George’s.
Lija cruised into the third round after thrashing Gozitan Division One side Victoria Hotspurs 6-0 while St George’s ousted Għargħur 2-0.