The final chapter of the 2015/16 BOV Premier League season will be written tonight when St Andrew’s face Senglea Athletic in a relegation/promotion play-off at the Hibs Stadium (kick-off 19.30).
The match represents a final opportunity for the two teams to secure a place in next season’s BOV Premier League roster.
St Andrew’s had looked down and out after losing their first 19 matches of the season, picking up their first point in late January.
But, the club’s decision to overhaul their squad during the January transfer window has given the team a huge boost as the Saints managed to turn their season around.
They obtained a string of positive results in the final three months of the Premier League campaign to leapfrog Naxxar Lions and Qormi and book a play-off spot against Senglea who finished third in Division One.
St Andrew’s, who toppled Qormi 4-2 in their final league match last week, start as slight favourites even though coach Josè Borg can only field four foreigners this evening as per Malta FA rules which are intended to create a level playing field in the play-off.
Yet, the Saints coach is confident his players can finish the job and secure their top-flight status for another season.
“We are approaching this decider against Senglea with a lot of confidence,” Borg told Times of Malta yesterday.
“Our goal was to peak in the last part of the season where we succeeded in gaining the points needed to secure this play-off spot.
“Unfortunately, I will have to change at least three players in my starting XI due to the foreigners’ rule, but I have no doubt that whoever is picked will be up for the job.
“I’m expecting a very difficult match against Senglea who possess some very good players with top-flight experience. But my team has worked very hard to earn this final chance and we are determined to take it with both hands.”
Senglea Athletic have done well to seal third spot in a championship dominated by title winners Gżira United and Ħamrun Spartans.
Player-coach Pablo Doffo regards tonight’s play-off as an added bonus at the end of a very positive season for the Cottonera outfit.
The Argentine midfielder, who has a wealth of Premier League experience after playing for Hibs, Floriana and Naxxar Lions, has a lot of respect for St Andrew’s but promised that his players will give everything to try and gain promotion.
“For us, this match is a bonus,” Doffo, who has a full complement at his disposal, said.
“I am very pleased with how my team performed throughout the season. Despite missing out on one of the two automatic promotion slots, we still have another opportunity to try and play in the Premier League next season.
“This match has all the makings of a tense cup tie where everything can happen throughout the 90 minutes.
“St Andrew’s may be regarded as favourites but we are ready to give everything we have to try and win.”
Doffo will be hoping that James Obaje’s nomination as best Division One player at the MFPA Awards will further motivate the Nigerian striker to inspire Senglea to victory.
If the play-off ends in a draw, extra-time will be played followed by penalties if needed.