Valletta and Hibernians will renew their rivalry in the FA Trophy when the two big guns of Maltese football go head to head in a titanic quarter-final tie at the National Stadium tomorrow (kick-off: 4pm).
The Citizens and the Paolites have taken the role of prime actors in the season’s Premier League title battle and they are set to lighten up the knock out competition this weekend with another fascinating duel, with the winner earning a place into the semi-finals.
Tomorrow’s quarter-final represents the biggest challenge for both Valletta and Hibernians so far in the competition after they broke little sweat to reach the last eight.
The Citizens made light work of two Division One sides in the previous two rounds when they had the better of Marsa 3-0 before they breezed past Lija Athletic 7-1.
Hibs, on the other hand, crushed Qormi 5-1 in the third round and then stormed to a 4-0 defeat over neighbours Fgura United.
Valletta and Hibs met twice in the Premier League this season with the Paolites winning their first-round encounter 3-1 before Valletta took revenge when they emerged victorious 2-1 in the return match a few weeks ago.
Danilo Doncic, the Valletta coach, said that his team know what to expect against Hibernians and said that he expects his players to show a lot of heart and determination if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning the league and cup double for a second successive season.
“The FA Trophy quarter-final draw was not kind to us as we were handed one of the hardest opponents we could get in Hibernians,” the Serbian coach said.
“We know to expect from them having already faced them twice in the league this season. Added to that we have arrived at a point this season when are fighting with them for the championship so certainly that adds further spice to the match.
“The players know that they must give their 100 per cent if we are to come out on top from this tie. I’m sure that the Valletta fans will again come in big numbers and will help us in this difficult tie.
“We have a group of players who are used to these kind of matches. They are aware that if we want to complete a league and cup double for a second successive year we need to show a lot of character and determination so it’s up to us.”
The Valletta coach said that he still doesn’t know if he can bank on his strongest formation as he has a number of players who are currently struggling with niggling injuries.
Hibernians head into tomorrow’s cup tie in fine fettle after last weekend they managed to move two points clear of Valletta in the Premier League title race and surely they will be keen to put more pressure on their rivals by ousting them from the Cup competition.
The Paolites are sure to be without a key player in Jurgen Degabriele who last week was ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Ryan Pulis, the Hibernians assistant coach, said that they are approaching the match against Hibernians just like any game although he admitted that they cannot afford to make any mistakes as it would prove fatal for their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
“For us this is just like any other game,” Pulis said.
“The only difference I see is that in the league you can make up for any slip-ups in your next match while in the Cup if you lose your’e out.
“Obviously facing Valletta without a player of the caliber of Jurgen Degabriele is always a blow. Everyone recognizes what a great talent Jurgen is. Despite his young age he is a complete player and shows great football knowledge.
“However, I’m confident that whoever replaces him will be up to the task and I’m sure the other players will work even harder to make sure his absence is not felt so much.”