The semi-final draw of the FA Trophy, sponsored by Attian Group, has raised the prospect of a showdown between champions Hibernians and holders Valletta but blocking their path are Qormi and Birkirkara, two clubs that are determined to end their season on a bright note by lifting the coveted cup.

On the back of their emphatic title triumph, Hibs are regarded as favourites to complete a league and cup double. The outcome of yesterday’s draw will have strengthened their optimism as, on paper, Qormi are the least-quoted team whereas the other semi-final has put heavyweights, Valletta and Birkirkara on collision course.

The first semi-final, between Valletta and Birkirkara, is on Saturday while Hibs meet Qormi, led by coach Mark Miller, on Sunday.

Qormi had to wait until their last league match to secure survival but Hibs coach Branko Nisevic is not reading much into his opponents’ championship travails.

“Whatever the result of the draw, the general view is that we are the strongest team because we are the champions,” Nisevic told Times of Malta.

“But let’s not forget that Qormi are a team who have always advanced to the latter stages of the FA Trophy in the last few seasons.

“It will not be an easy match. Qormi have a strong team. In my opinion, Qormi struggled during the league season not because they had a weak squad but because they were hit hard by circumstances.

“We all know that knock-out matches are do-or-die affairs.

“There is certainly no room for complacency. We have to take this challenge very seriously.”

Hibernians have history on their side as they twice had the better of Qormi in the 2012 and 2013 FA Trophy finals.

Miller, who spent four years at Hibernians, now has the task of plotting his former club’s downfall in the FA Trophy.

The English coach needs no reminding that Qormi must defy the odds to progress to their third final in four years but he believes that his players will not be fazed by the prospect of facing the champions after coming through a series of high-pressure games in the relegation battle.

“It’s another tough game but we’ve been in many difficult matches this season,” Miller said.

“We’ve got nothing to lose. They are the favourites and for us it’s very simple really... we know that we have to play very well to stand a chance of beating them.

“They are the champions and they should win this game, on paper, but we will try to change that.”

Disappointing season

For Valletta and Birkirkara to salvage a low-key season, they need to go all the way in the FA Trophy.

The Citizens will be bidding to retain the cup after beating Sliema Wanderers 1-0 in last season’s final while Birkirkara’s last KO success was in 2008 when they edged Ħamrun Spartans 2-1 in the decider.

Although both clubs would probably have preferred to be paired with Qormi, Valletta president Victor Sciriha said that there can be no easy games at the semi-final stage.

“All games are difficult at this stage of the competition,” Sciriha said.

“Every match is do-or-die, so it’s doesn’t make a difference who the opposition is.

“The bottom line is that, if you want to have a chance of winning the trophy, you have to perform on the day.”

Valletta’s limp showing in the 3-1 defeat to Hibernians on Saturday will have done little to lift their fans’ spirits but Sciriha insisted that everyone at the club expects a bold reaction from the team in Saturday’s semi-final.

Not that Birkirkara’s situation is better than that of their rivals. Like Valletta, they ended their league campaign with a whimper, going down 1-0 to Balzan.

Coach Paul Zammit agreed with the Valletta president that there are no easy opponents in the semi-finals of a knock-out competition.

“At this stage, it doesn’t really change much if you draw one team instead of the other,” Zammit said.

“Our league season has been a mixed bag, containing good and bad things.

“Our attention is now directed to the FA Trophy and the other three teams are also thinking the same.

“Hibernians have been dominant in the Premier League, Valletta have still got a lot of quality in their team and Qormi have clearly done well to reach the semi-finals.

“That said, we need to focus on ourselves. I’ve been saying this since the start of the third round of the championship.

“On our day, we can be a match for anyone. In the league, we have had good games against the top guns.

“We had a chance to gauge our potential vis-a-vis the other big teams and we have shown that we can compete with them.”

FA Trophy semi-finals

Saturday (National Stadium)
17.00 Birkirkara vs Valletta

Sunday (National Stadium)
17.00 Qormi vs Hibernians

Final
May 23 at National Stadium (kick-off 17.00).