The stage is set for another exciting weekend in the 360 Sports Malta Premier as four teams will be battling for supremacy in the penultimate round of fixtures in the Top Six of the Closing Round.
Marsaxlokk are currently at the top of the standings of 25 points, one clear of Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema, with the latter two facing off in the top match of the weekend tomorrow afternoon.
Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers head into tomorrow’s match on the back of a disappointing result last weekend, as the Malta champions needed a resilient display to hold on to a goalless draw against Floriana, while Sliema Wanderers slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Marsaxlokk.
For the Spartans, this match is particularly crucial as failure to take all three points will all but end their hopes of a place in the league play-offs.
Winston Muscat, the Ħamrun Spartans coach, has issued a rallying cry for his players ahead of this crucial match that will define whether they will be able to defend their title crown, which they held for the past three seasons.
“The match against Sliema Wanderers is a crucial test for us as we need to win at all costs if we are to stay in the title race,” Muscat told the Times of Malta.
“Our fate is firmly in our hands, and it’s up to us if we are to continue our title challenge or forfeit our status as Malta champions.
“The players are aware of the importance of this match, and I don’t want to put any extra pressure on them. This match is crucial for our future in this year’s championship, and the only thing I expect from them is that they are fully committed to our cause and give more than their 100 per cent to get the result we need.
“I am sure that they will rise for the occasion and show that they deserve to challenge for the title till the end.”
The Spartans will be without their skipper, Steve Borg, who is serving a one match-ban following his red card against Floriana last Monday.
Muscat said that he wants his players to show on the pitch their real hunger to succeed and be aggressive in their play, something he feels was missing in the goalless draw against Floriana.
“Our biggest problem against Floriana was that we weren’t aggressive enough in key areas of the pitch,” Muscat said.
“We forfeited possession cheaply and we didn’t show our usual level of aggressiveness to try and unsettle our opponents when they had the ball.
“Against Sliema Wanderers I want to see the players take the pitch full of energy and determined to outwit their rivals. I am sure that our fans will again be behind us to roar our players to what would be a crucial victory.”
On his part, Sliema Wanderers coach Paul Zammit said that at this stage every match is decisive and backed his players to bounce back from the Marsaxlokk defeat.
“At this stage of the season, when only two matches are left till the end of the Closing Round, every match carries a lot of weight,” Zammit said.
“We are going to play against a team that boasts a lot of quality in their squad and who have further strengthened their ranks during the January transfer window. So we are aware of the difficult challenge awaiting us.
“This season, both teams experienced mixed fortunes in our direct encounters but at this stage of the season this match carries a lot of weight as it is decisive for both teams’ hopes of finishing in the first two places in the Top Six.
“At the moment, the league standings are changing with every matchday that is played but with just two matches to go, both teams have no margin for error.”ż
Zammit is also without a key defender as Henrique Murillo is out with a one-match ban.
Zammit refused the notion that the defeat against Marsaxlokk was a ‘wake-up call’ for his players and insisted that they should be lauded for their commitment and dedication shown in recent weeks that lifted the team back in contention for a title challenge.
“I don’t agree that the defeat against Marsaxlokk was a wake-up call for the players as at this stage of the season, games are so tight that you can easily win or lose on the day,” Zammit maintained.
“Although we were coming from a five-match positive run, however, we headed into the match on the back of a series of performances that highlighted the strength of our group.
“One has to remember that in the final stages of the Closing Round we were almost out of the equation for a place in the Top Six. But the players showed great character to secure a crucial victory that put us back in contention for the title, and I cannot be more proud of their efforts.
“Their recent efforts left the team mentally drained against Marsaxlokk, but the players gave their all, but it was not enough.
“The only disappointment on the day was that after taking the lead, we failed to finish with at least a point, but now we need to move on and focus on the match against Ħamrun which will be massive for us.”
