Birkirkara’s aspirations of landing silverware this season will be put into severe test when the Stripes take on Ħamrun Spartans in the top fixture of the FA Trophy fourth round in the at the National Stadium tomorrow (kick-off: 4pm).

With both the Stripes and the Spartans having some ground to make to get into this season’s title race, the FA Trophy represents their best route for silverware.

In the last month, Birkirkara have underwent some major changes to their technical set-up as they appointed former Liverpool wing back John Arne Riise as their new sporting director and the Norwegian has been put in charge of the senior side with coach Paul Zammit excused from conducting his duties of first-team coach.

Birkirkara have also brought in a number of new faces to their squad, namely Brazilian striker Jorginho, Italian winger Maurizio Vella and midfielder Johann Bezzina while they released wingers Marcelinho and Carlos Chavarria and striker Petar Orlandic.

Under Riise’s charge the Stripes are still unbeaten after holding Balzan to a goalless draw and then beat Pietà Hotspurs 3-0 last week.

Riise is hoping the team can take their positive momentum to their trophy clash against Ħamrun Spartans as they look to go one better than last season when they reached the final and lost to Valletta 2-0.

“The FA Trophy is a very important competition for us as it provides us with an opportunity to bring silverware to the club and go back to European football,”Riise told the Times of Malta.

“Ħamrun Spartans will be very difficut opponents for us as they are led by an Italian coach who is very good in preparing the team tactically so we need to be at our best.

“But I’m happy with the effort of my players so as they are working very hard during training to arrive for match day in the best possible shape.”

Riise may have sounded pleased with his team’s performances so far but he still believes that they have still room for improvement.

“It’s been a very positive few weeks here at Birkirkara and our performances have been quiet pleasing,” Riise said.

“But I still think that we can play better. I’m working a lot with the players to be more aggressive when we lose the ball and adopt a more attacking-minded approach. But we need time but we’re on the right path.

“I’m happy with the group of players I have and as far I’m concerned I don’t expect to bring in new players as we have a balanced group. But these things might change very quickly so we will see.”

Ħamrun have been one of the positive revelations of the 2018-19 season as the Reds are showing that they can pull above their weight as their fifth-placing in the Premier League standings amply testifies.

The Reds are desperate for a strong run in the competition and they have already shown that they have what it takes to be among the dark horses in the Cup when they ousted Floriana in the third round.

Tomorrow, they face another difficult test to keep alive their hopes of winning the FA Trophy after an absence of almost 30 years but coach Giovanni Tedesco is confident his players will be up to the challenge.

“For us Sunday’s match against Birkirkara is like an anticipated final as victory over Birkirkara will put us a step closer to reach the final stages of the competition,” Tedesco said.

“Obviously, Birkirkara are always tough opponents but the fact that they have effected so many changes in the last few weeks makes it even more difficult for us to analyse them, so it’s hard to say what to expect.

“But I’m focused on my team’s performane and ensured that we are ready to deliver another strong performance. In the last two weeks we had two difficult assignments against Floriana and Gżira where I felt we did quite well but we need to keep it going.”

Last week, the Spartans came close to defeat title challengers Gżira United but an injury-time equaliser from Gianmarco Conti, which came from a rare defensive laps from the Reds, forced them to settle for a point.

Tedesco has warned his players that they cannot to afford any lapses of concentration if they are to get a result against Birkirkara.

“In Cup ties you cannot lower your guard as you risk to be severely punished,” Tedesco said.

“Against Gżira we played well but you cannot have those lapses of concentration on the last kick of the match as you end conceding a goal that somehow tarnish all the good work all the players did.

“I hope the players learn from these setbacks and on Sunday provide the right response.”

Programme

Today
Hibs Stadium: 2pm Pietà Hotspurs vs Żejtun Corinthians; 4pm Mosta vs Sliema Wanderers.
Centenary Stadium: 2pm Hibernians vs Fgura United; 4.15pm Tarxien Rainbows vs Żebbuġ Rangers.

Tomorrow
National Stadium: 2pm Balzan vs Xewkija Tigers; 4pm Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans.
Centenary Stadium: 2pm Gżira United vs Melita; 4.15pm Lija Athletic vs Valletta.