Success in the FA Trophy is Floriana’s only route to European football next season but they can’t afford a repeat of their lame showing in the 3-2 league defeat to Pembroke Athleta last weekend if they are to offer Birkirkara a stern challenge in tomorrow’s quarter-final.
With Hibernians and Valletta out of the equation, Floriana and Birkirkara need no reminding that victory would significantly improve their chances of winning the knock-out but the two sides head into their clash on the back of contrasting performances.
While Floriana bid adieu to their top-four hopes after their loss to Pembroke, Birkirkara, the FA Trophy holders, underlined their recent improvement with a lively showing in a 0-0 draw against rivals Valletta.
Drazen Besek, the Birkirkara coach, has challenged his team to replicate their display on Sunday in their cup duel with Floriana.
“Optimism is a nice thing but we must show in our next game that we can build on our last performance,” Besek told Times of Malta.
“In football, the past is not important. You have to look to the future and see if you can repeat the good performance of the last game.
“In the last two to three months, we have worked very hard and the improvement was evident in the Valletta game but we need to keep it going.”
Joseph Zerafa is suspended for Birkirkara after the Malta left-back saw red in the 1-0 win over Valletta in the previous round while Croatian striker Matija Smrekar is doubtful.
Although Birkirkara’s confidence is on the up after going six games without defeat in the league, Besek is readying his troops for a tough test.
“This is a do-or-die game and it will not be easy because Floriana also badly want to advance,” the Croatian, who replaced Giovanni Tedesco in December, said.
“Floriana play aggressive football and are led by a good coach with a lot of experience.
“They can be dangerous on counter-attacks but also defend well with eight or nine players.”
Luis Oliveira, the Floriana coach who has completed a two-match touchline ban, will doubtless be hoping that his team rediscover the qualities highlighted by his Birkirkara counterpart after his players looked dispirited in their defeat to Pembroke.
“The FA Trophy is our only chance of winning something this season, otherwise we are out of everything,” Oliveira said.
“I want to see a different face of Floriana, certainly not the one we showed in the game against Pembroke. We have to play like we normally do, with more commitment and determination. The players know that they must produce a good performance… we can lose but we have to give our best.”
Floriana beat Birkirkara 1-0 in their last meeting but Oliveira, impressed by the Stripes’ showing in the goalless stalemate against Valletta, is bracing himself for a taxing encounter this time round.
“Birkirkara deserved to win against Valletta,” Oliveira said.
“They played good football.
“This game is like a final for both teams.
“We know that we are facing a determined Birkirkara side.
“We will start working on the tactical aspect today (yesterday) but we know Birkirkara well.
“As I have said on many occasions, we need to get our concentration levels right.
“This has been our biggest weakness this season and it happened again in the Pembroke game, especially in the first goal.”
Oliveira is keeping his fingers crossed that Enrico Pepe, Antonio Monticelli and Andre Scicluna get the medical go-ahead to play while Emanuel Briffa returns after missing the Pembroke defeat through suspension.
Floriana edged out Lija Athletic 2-1 in the fourth round.
FA Trophy QFs
Today (Hibs Stadium) 18.00 Sliema Wanderers vs St Andrew’s; 20.00 Balzan vs Tarxien Rainbows.
Tomorrow (National Stadium) 18.00 Pembroke Athleta vs Pietà Hotspurs; 20.00 Birkirkara vs Floriana.
Priso, Dimech doubtful
Sliema Wanderers are sweating on the fitness of Njongo Priso and Luke Dimech ahead of their FA Trophy quarter-final against St Andrew’s this evening.
The Blues, who scraped past Għargħur in the previous round, will fancy their chances of reaching the last four after finding little trouble to beat the Saints in a league match last weekend.
Priso and Dimech picked up knocks during Saturday’s 3-1 win but otherwise Italian coach Alfonso Greco has a full squad at his disposal.
St Andrew’s will have coach Josè Borg back in the dug-out after the latter began a 10-match touchline ban in the league last weekend.
Borg must check on the fitness of Dale Camilleri who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
St Andrew’s ousted Gżira on penalties in the fourth round.
Arab misses out for Balzan
Balzan will be determined to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing league defeat to Hibernians when they take on Tarxien with a place in the cup semi-finals at stake.
The Reds, who beat Melita 2-0 in the last round, are devoting all their focus to the FA Trophy as they bid to win the first major honour in the club’s history. The 3-1 reverse against Hibs has all but ended Balzan’s title hopes.
Coach Oliver Spiteri has no major selection issues with Samir Arab the only absentee after the Malta U-21 defender suffered an injury against Hibs.
Tarxien will be going all out to maintain their unbeaten streak against Balzan this season as they chase a semi-final spot. In the last round, the Rainbows needed extra-time to overcome Qormi 4-1.
Coach Jacques Scerri welcomes back Carlos Hevia and Ebiabowei Baker who were suspended for the 1-0 loss to Mosta.
Pembroke favourites
Pembroke Athleta start as clear favourites to advance to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy for the first time as they take on Division One side Pietà Hotspurs, tomorrow.
Winston Muscat’s men are in high spirits after making sure of their Premier League status following a 3-2 win over Floriana on Saturday. The Reds, who stunned champions Hibs 2-1 in the fourth round, will now look to add further gloss to their season by making further progress in the FA Trophy.
Italian midfielder Paltemio Barbetti is suspended but otherwise Muscat has no fresh selection worries and is likely to field the same team that started the win over Floriana.
Pietà, buoyed by their good showing in the 1-1 draw against rivals Ħamrun Spartans, will also be upbeat about their chances of causing an upset.
The Hotspurs, who beat St George’s 3-2 in the last round, will be without midfielder Dylan Agius, suspended.