Holders Birkirkara are determined to move one step closer to retaining the FA Trophy and stay on course for qualification to European football when they face Sliema Wanderers in Wednesday evening’s semi-final at the National Stadium (kick-off: 7pm).
The Stripes head into the match on the back of a topsy-turvy season that saw them struggle for consistency throughout, changing their first-team coach twice, but still failed to challenge for a top-three finish in the Premier League.
That left the FA Trophy as their only avenue to qualify for the UEFA Conference League qualifiers this summer and coach Jose Borg said that victory against the Wanderers was their main priority in what he described as ‘one of the most important matches of the season’.
“It’s clear that we have a very inconsistent season with many ups and downs,” Birkirkara coach Jose Borg told the Times of Malta.
“For us this semi-final is one of the most important matches of our season. To reach the FA Trophy final is very important for us, not just because we stay on course to retain the competition but we keep alive our hopes to play European football again this summer.
“We aware that we are facing one of the best teams in the Premier League this season who have shown a great level of consistency.
“I believe that this is going to be a major test for us as this is a knock out game and if we take the wrong approach we’re out.
“I expect my players the same application and high concentration levels we showed against Ħamrun in the previous round if we are to progress.”
Borg is sure to be without influential midfielder Ali Diakite who must serve a two-match ban.
Omar Elouni and Adailton have been sanctioned with a three-match ban for their involvement in skirmishes during Friday’s Premier League clash against Santa Lucia.
Sliema, on their part, are looking at the FA Trophy as a perfect opportunity to wrap up what was a very positive season for them.
Paul Zammit’s men are already assured of European football after their third-place finish in the Premier League.
But the Blues, who hold the all-time record of wins in the competition with their Old Firm rivals Floriana of 21, will be keen to become the most successful club in this cup competition by going all the way.
The Sliema Wanderers’ coach hailed his team’s resilience and consistency for their impressive run this season.
“Nobody expected that Sliema Wanderers would perform so well in their first season back in the top-flight,” Zammit said.
“But that is all down to the hard work and commitment of the players who managed to show great consistency throughout the whole season.
“It has been already a successful campaign for us as we managed to take the club to European football for the first time after an absence of ten years.
“Now we have the chance to extend our fairytale season by reaching the final of the FA Trophy. The players have shown great resilience and fighting spirit to arrive to the last four with hard-fought wins over Balzan and Mosta in previous rounds.
“Cup matches are one-off ties where players are under immense pressure to perform but I have no doubt that these players will show the same resilience against Birkirkara to try and get the result we are aspiring for.”
