Naxxar Lions face Melita in relegation play-off
Floriana and Sliema Wanderers will be looking to bounce back from their elimination from this season’s title race when they renew their Old Firm rivalry and face off in a play-off for a spot in this summer’s UEFA Conference League qualifiers at the Tony Bezzina Stadium today (kick-off: 8.45pm).
Earlier, Naxxar Lions and Melita will face each other in a play-off to keep their top-flight status for another season (kick-off: 6pm).
The 360 Sports Malta Premier is inching closer to its conclusion with a number of verdicts set to be decided in the next two days, with the climax reached tomorrow when Birkirkara will face each other for the Malta Premier title crown.
Before that blockbuster clash, all eyes will be on the Tony Bezzina Stadium for two fascinating ties that will have a major bearing on all four teams’ future.
Much of the attention will be on the second match of the day when Floriana and Old Firm rivals Sliema Wanderers battle for a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
Both Floriana and Sliema come into the match at a low ebb after their heartbreaking defeats in the Top Four semi-finals to Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara, respectively.
Floriana have suffered back-to-back setbacks in the space of a few days, which saw their title aspirations disappear into thin air.
Last week, Darren Abdilla’s Greens were just one win away from securing a record 27th league title as they needed to beat Birkirkara to be crowned champions. However, they were left frustrated as the Stripes put on a resilient display to hold onto a 1-1 point and force the Final Four play-offs.
Here, Floriana were up against Ħamrun Spartans, and the Greens struggled to take the upper hand against the Malta champions, with the match drifting into extra-time and eventually penalties.
Here, Henry Bonello, the Ħamrun goalkeeper, took centre stage as he saved two penalties to lead his team to a 4-2 win and a place in the final.
That double setback will have certainly left an indelible mark on the morale of the Floriana players and coach Abdilla will have certainly worked hard to lift his players’ spirit ahead of a crucial clash that will give them a route to European football.
On the other hand, Sliema Wanderers also suffered a deflating 1-0 defeat to Birkirkara in the opening semi-final.
A Maxuell Maia goal seconds before the match would head into a penalty shoot-out, crushing the Wanderers’ hopes of securing a place in the final.
That defeat was a simmering blow for the Blues who will be determined to make up for that upset by defeating their traditional rivals and fulfil the club’s main goal for the season, to secure a place in a UEFA club competition.
In such scenario, there is no doubt that the team that will be able to keep better control of its emotions throughout the 90 minutes will be the favourite to secure victory and assure themselves of a major financial boost for their club’s financial coffers.
In the day’s early kick-off Naxxar Lions will be hopeful of completing an extraordinary Houidini Act and secure top-flight safety when they face struggling Melita
George Vella’s Lions were touted by many as favourites for relegation after finishing bottom of the Opening Round.
But Naxxar has shown steady progress by the turn of the year, and with every match played in the Bottom Six of the Closing Round, one could sense that they had the tools to keep fighting for their survival till the end.
Naxxar duly picked up a crucial point in their final Bottom Six clash against Balzan to force a play-off against Melita and send the latter into the Challenge League.
The Lions are just one win away from completing a great escape and could well fancy their chances against a Melita side who have been in a freefall in recent weeks.
Clive Mizzi’s men, after a bright Opening Round display, seem to have ran out of steam in the Closing Round and need a special performance to retain their place in the top flight for a second successive season.
The departures of Brazilian duo Thiago Motta and forward Andre have hurt Melita’s hopes but Mizzi will be hoping that his players rise to the occasion and prove that they deserve to stay in the top-flight.
In both play-offs, should the result remain locked in a draw after 90 minutes, extra-time and penalties will be played to declare a winner.
