The MFA Jubilee Cup enters its decisive stage on Wednesday when the two semi-finals of the knock out competition are played at the National Stadium.
Sliema Wanderers, Malta’s most decorated football club, and Valletta FC will start as favourites to proceed to Monday’s final.
But their opponents, Żabbar St Patrick and Tarxien Rainbows, respectively will have something to say as they look to prolong their stunning run in the competition.
In the first semi-final, Valletta, buoyed by their impressive 2-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans in Sunday’s quarter-final, will have their eyes firmly set to go all the way as the Capital club are looking to make it a hat-trick of one-off trophies in the last two decades, following their success in the Centenary Cup in 2000 and the MFA Anniversary Cup in 2010.
On paper, the Citizens start as overwhelming favourites to see off Tarxien Rainbows, who are struggling for results and consistency in the Premier League.
But coach Thane Micallef has warned his players of any form of complacency and said that their 2-0 win over champions Ħamrun Spartans would have meant nothing if they fail to see off Tarxien today.
“It was a great night for us to beat a strong side like Ħamrun Spartans, but all that will prove futile if we approach the match with the wrong frame of mind,” Micallef said.
“It’s important that we approach the match with the same intensity and focus that we displayed against Ħamrun Spartans. If we do that, then we can aspire to reach the final.
“However, it’s not going to be easy as Tarxien Rainbows have shown in this competition that they are no pushovers, having eliminated two other Premier League sides in Gżira United and Marsaxlokk.
“I am expecting a very challenging match where Tarxien will surely try and close all avenues to their goal. It will be important that we have the right mental attitude and be patient to wait for our opportunities.
“Tarxien will do all they can to frustrate us and we need to stay calm and make sure we take the chances we create.”
Exceptional run
On his part, Tarxien coach Jacques Scerri has heaped praise on his players for an exceptional run in the competition and vowed to try and make life difficult for their more-quoted opponents.
“Our achievements in the Jubilee Cup as our team, despite all the injury problems we had, managed to reach this stage by knocking out two more-quoted Premier League opponents in Gżira United and Marsaxlokk,” Scerri said.
“Despite all the adversity we faced, the team showed great spirit, and the players who were called in to perform stood up for their responsibilities.
“We are aware that in the semi-final we are going against another strong side in Valletta FC, and while we will respect our opponents, I have a lot of faith in my players that they can show all their qualities and put up a great performance.
“To reach the semi-finals of the Jubilee Cup is something remarkable for us but we will do our best to try and reach the final.”
The second semi-final will see Sliema Wanderers take on Żabbar St Patrick.
The Wanderers reached the last four after overcoming Mosta 2-0 while Żabbar hammered Żebbuġ Rangers 8-0.
“This is a competition that every participating club is trying to win and we are no exception,” Sliema coach Paul Zammit said.
“This competition has helped us to find the consistency in our game, which was lacking at the start of the season. This summer, we have brought in several overseas players with the aim of helping a strong group of Maltese players we had in our squad.
“We are up against a Żabbar St Patrick side that, as time passed this season, has grown stronger and stronger, and they also boast some experienced Maltese players and others who are younger but possess great potential.
“It’s going to be a tight game when everything will be decided within the 90 minutes, with the team that commits the least number of mistakes will go through.”
On his part, Aniello Parisi said that for Żabbar St Patrick, the semi-final against Sliema Wanderers represents a huge moment for the Premier League club.
“This is a very important match for our club,” Parisi said.
“It represents a great opportunity for our club to showcase the talent of our players in our squad and how far they have developed this season.
“We know that we are facing a very strong team in Sliema Wanderers, but I expect my players to play with courage to try and get the result we are all dreaming of achieving.”
Both semi-finals will retain the same format of the previous rounds, where if a match is level at the end of the 90 minutes, penalties will be immediately taken to declare a winner.
PLAYING ON WEDNESDAY
NATIONAL STADIUM
Valletta vs Tarxien R. 18.00
Żabbar SP vs Sliema W. 20.15
