Landing the league and cup in the same season is regarded as a fine achievement in any sport.
In Malta, no team had managed to win the double since Sliema Wanderers in season 2003-04 but Valletta have secured this feat after edging past Sliema Wanderers 1-0 in the final of the U*Bet FA Trophy on Thursday.
Coach Andre Paus revealed his pride in leading Valletta to a historic league and FA Trophy double while skipper Ryan Fenech hailed the Dutchman’s impact on the team.
“We did it... we have won the double,” Paus told reporters after the final.
Eyebrows were raised when Valletta appointed Paus as their coach towards the end of January but in just over three months he has moulded a squad capable of breaking Birkirkara’s stranglehold on the Premier League before winning the FA Trophy.
“It was difficult to come back and stay focused after we celebrated the title on Saturday. During training on Wednesday, I had to raise my voice to keep everyone concentrated.
“The victory over Birkirkara was mentally and physically exhausting and the trophy final was too close to the league decider.
“We found it difficult against a very good Sliema team.”
Paus’s task on Thursday was made more difficult by the injuries suffered by Roderick Briffa and Alan Da Silva Souza who were forced to leave the field late in the first half.
Despite being forced to make a double substitution early in the game, Paus said that his confidence never wavered.
“We have the belief to keep going until the end and we got the result we wanted,” Paus said.
“Ironically, we played better and looked more compact when we were with 10 men.”
Paus was also keen to praise the versatility of Irakli Maisuradze, who moved to right-back, and skipper Fenech.
“Maisuradze is extremely important for us due to his tactical versatility. I played Fenech in front of the back four and we clearly improved our teamwork and cohesion,” Paus explained.
The Dutchman was coy about his future. “At Valletta, I have found a fantastic club. I could count on the support of the club, president and players,” he said.
“On Thursday, I will fly home but my intention is to return after the holidays to sort out my future.”
Valletta striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu was delighted after scoring the winner in the Trophy final.
“I saw a little gap, not a big space between the goalkeeper and the far post, and I was lucky to slot the ball in that corridor,” the English forward said of his early strike.
“We must give Sliema credit. They pushed us all the way but luckily we did the most important thing – scoring. Goals win games.”
Fenech praised the work done by Paus.
“Big credit goes to him (Paus),” Fenech said.
“He absorbed the Valletta mentality straightaway and his tactics have been spot-on. He has made a big impression on the players and brought a new aura at the club.
“However I would also like to thank Mark Miller (the former head coach who remained as Paus’s assistant). He was the one who handed me the captain’s armband.
“It has been the greatest week of my career. I had heard from those who felt the emotion of lifting a cup in front of the Valletta fans and dreamed of experiencing it myself... lifting the Premier League cup and FA Trophy in the space of a few days was really a unique sensation.”
Sliema coach Alfonso Greco admitted to mixed feelings after Thursday’s game as he felt that Valletta, who looked tired for most of the match, were there for the taking.
“We could have won the trophy,” Greco said.
“We produced our best performance this season but it was not enough. We approached the match with the right attitude but that early goal was a cold shower.”
Ivan Woods, who had tormented Valletta in past finals, failed to repeat his exploits in the last game of his competitive career.
“I have that special feeling when I play against Valletta as twice I scored the winning goal in the final but this time it was not our day,” the 37-year-old said.
“We played a very good game. In my career, I’ve had my ups and downs but I thank God for giving me a great career spanning over 20 years.”