With the 2011/12 Premier League campaign wrapped up, the attention now switches to the U*Bet FA Trophy as the semi-finals of the competition will be played today and tomorrow at the National Stadium.
Valletta, the league champions, will be vying for a fourth successive final appearance when they take on Qormi today (kick-off: 6 p.m.).
Tomorrow, it will then be the turn of Hibernians as they face Ħamrun Spartans seeking to shift back to on-field business following the controversial departure of coach Mark Miller in midweek.
The clash between Valletta and Qormi is a repeat of the 2010 final.
On that occasion, it was the Citizens who lifted the trophy after a 2-1 win, dashing the Yellow-Blacks’ hopes of a maiden success in their history.
Valletta, who lost both finals of 2009 and 2011, are the odds-on favourites to oust Qormi and that comes as no surprise when looking at head-to-head encoun-ters this term. In fact, City won both meetings in the first phase of the championship as Qormi then played in the Relegation Pool.
Coach Jesmond Zerafa is not giving much importance to statistics though.
“Obviously, as league cham-pions we’re expected to beat Qormi but one should not discard our opponents. Cup football is a different matter so we raised our levels of concentration again during the week to ensure we’re up to this challenge.”
Zerafa is sure to be without wing-back Saidu Mady Panandettiguiri, suspended.
For Valletta, the build-up to this match was affected by speculation regarding their coach. Rumours are now rife that Miller will be replacing Zerafa next season.
“There has been a lot of talk lately but all I can say is that I’m still engaged in talks with the club and so far no deal was done,” Zerafa said.
“I have always been a professional in my job and my priority at the moment is to see the team make it four honours this season after the Euro Cup, Super Cup and the league.”
Qormi’s Stephen Azzopardi is another coach looking to settle his future as his contract expires this month. But, like Zerafa, his main concern is to lead his team to the ultimate showdown on May 27.
“It seems that for many Valletta are already in the final,” Azzopardi said.
“But we have other plans and we know we could upset their apple-cart.
“For us this is an ideal occasion to rally the fans behind the team and give our opponents a good run for their money.”
Azzopardi is sweating on the fitness of striker Aboubaker Bello Osagie (groin) and wing-back Jonathan Bondin (knee).
Tomorrow (kick-off: 7.30 p.m.), Hibs will be looking to reach the final for the first time since 2007.
The Paolites, who ousted holders Floriana in the previous round, come into the match after a turbulent week during which they lost their coach and the reins were handed to Miller’s assistant Richard Mercieca.
“Everything happened so quickly last week but when I was asked to take responsibility of the team I accepted immediately,” Mercieca said.
“This will be a massive match for us but I’m confident that with the quality Hibs have we can beat Ħamrun.”
Mercieca is sure to be without two key players as Luis Edison and Clayton Failla are both suspended.
Meanwhile, the stand-in coach remains hopeful of recovering striker Marcelo Dias who is nursing an ankle injury.
Ħamrun are also sweating on the fitness of striker Dene Shields. The Scot limped out of training in midweek.
Coach Stefan Sultana is a veteran of the FA Trophy, having won the honour with the Reds in his playing career. He knows Hibs have a stronger squad but cup football is all about upsets.
Sultana said: “We’re the underdogs but that position suits us fine. In previous rounds, Ħamrun were given little chance to progress but we still made it through and now I’m urging the boys to lift their game and upset the odds again.
“This has not been the best of seasons for us but we can put that right with qualification to the final.”