Rivals Birkirkara and Valletta stayed on course to set up a final showdown in this season’s U*Bet FA Trophy after the two heavyweights were kept apart in the draws for the quarter- and semi-finals, made yesterday at the National Stadium.
Valletta, who knocked out Mosta in the last round, were drawn against Naxxar Lions in the quarter-finals while Birkirkara take on Qormi.
Although the Citizens are regarded as favourites to advance, they are unlikely to dismiss the threat posed by Naxxar after being on the receiving end of a surprise 2-1 loss to the Lions in their second-round league match last month.
Naxxar Lions had the better of Floriana in the last round.
Gżira United, one of two Division One clubs still in contention for the KO title, will fancy their chances of progressing to the semi-finals after being pitted against Premier League strugglers Rabat Ajax.
The Maroons edged out fellow Division One outfit St George’s in the last round while Rabat eliminated Kerċem Ajax.
Pietà Hotspurs, who caused the biggest shock of the fourth round after ousting holders Hibernians, face Sliema Wanderers who needed penalties to overcome Balzan.
The quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of February 15-16.
The winners of the Naxxar-Valletta clash will meet the winners of the quarter-final between Gżira and Rabat in the semis. The other semi-final will feature the winners of the other two quarter-finals, namely Qormi-Birkirkara and Sliema-Pietà Hotspurs.
Birkirkara, the Premier League leaders, kept their double hopes alive last week after easing past Division One side St Andrew’s 4-0 while Qormi defeated Tarxien Rainbows on penalties.
Sliema Wanderers have won the FA Trophy a record 20 times, Valletta have 12 triumphs and Birkirkara four.
Of the other five teams in the quarter-finals, only Gżira United and Rabat Ajax have tasted success in the KO competition.
Qormi will be hoping to make it third time lucky after losing two finals to Hibs in the last two seasons.
Bjorn Vassallo, the Malta FA CEO, said the race for the two main honours in Maltese football, the Premier League and the U*Bet FA Trophy, will enter a crucial stage next month.
“February will see the start of the second phase of the Premier League while the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy will also be played next month,” Vassallo told reporters before yesterday’s draw.
“The final race for the two biggest honours will continue in earnest during February and this will increase the enthusiasm and motivation of the teams.
“Of the remaining eight teams in the FA Trophy, six are from the Premier League and two from Division One.
“The two Division One clubs (Pietà Hotspurs and Gżira) have strengthened their squads in January.
“The biggest surprise in this season’s competition came in the last round when Hibernians, the holders, were eliminated by Pietà Hotspurs.”
Off the field, Vassallo said, the MFA will introduce various reforms in the coming months.
“We are working to reform the players’ status regulations,” Vassallo said.
“We are continuing to restructure the framework of Maltese football.
“The introduction of a new Premier League format is another important item and discussions are progressing well.
“Off the field, the MFA’s work has continued unabated and I’m confident that these reforms will increase the visibility of Maltese football.”
Vasileos Kasiotakis, managing director of Maltco, said the sponsorship of the FA Trophy underlined the company’s commitment to supporting local sport.
While reiterating his company’s positive message in favour of Fair Play, Kasiotakis announced that Maltco, together with The European Lotteries, will organise a seminar on the fight against match-fixing next month.
Vassallo said the Malta FA has embarked on a project titled ‘Say no to match-fixing’ which also features an Integrity Tour.
Franz Tabone, the association’s integrity officer, is currently giving lectures on the perils of match-rigging to players, coaches and officials of all clubs registered with the Malta FA.
Quarter-finals
Naxxar Lions vs Valletta
Qormi vs Birkirkara
Gżira United vs Rabat Ajax
Sliema W. vs Pietà Hotspurs
Matches to be played on February 15/16.
Semi-final pairings
Gżira/Rabat vs Naxxar/Valletta
Sliema/Pietà vs Qormi/B’kara
Matches to be played on March 19.
FA Trophy final: May 4.