Birkirkara eager to reassert title credentials

Two defeats on the trot have cast a shadow over Birkirkara's title credentials after their powerful start to the season had them installed as firm favourites to land their second championship.

The progress of Sliema Wanderers draws a sharp contrast with that of Birkirkara.

Fourth in the Premier League standings after the first nine games, the Blues put together a run of five victories and a draw in the second round, shooting up to the summit of the table, one point ahead of their rivals who in turn squandered a six-point lead.

Sliema have boldly reasserted their championship credentials but what about Birkirkara?

Talk of crisis is premature and grossly exaggerated but this afternoon's showdown with the new leaders and title rivals could supply a significant turning point in Birkirkara's season.

Back-to-back defeats to Floriana and Hibernians will be laid to rest if Birkirkara beat Sliema today (4 p.m.) but another upset would intensify the pressure on them, never mind the unease and panic it is likely to cause as so often happens to highly-rated teams when they hit a rocky patch.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, has urged his players to get their season back on track.

"After the victory over Pietà Hotspurs in the first match of the second round, our level of performance dropped," Azzopardi admitted.

"Having a number of key players missing games because of injuries clearly had an adverse affect on our consistency. Our dip in form in the last month or so culminated in that defeat to Floriana. Against Hibs last Saturday, I was pleased with our showing but the result did not come our way.

"Sliema Wanderers are next in line. It will be a tough match but we have to get something from it. A good result will go a long way towards lifting our low morale. Disappointing results create doubts as to whether we are capable of sustaining a title challenge. The match against Sliema is our chance to underline our title credentials."

Mallia injury

The knee injury suffered by George Mallia in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Hibs is a severe setback for Birkirkara.

Mallia will visit a leading Belgian surgeon in the coming days to have his injured knee examined. The Malta international, who a few years back underwent surgery on his cruciate ligaments, could be out of action for eight weeks or more, depending on the extent of his problem.

Clint Micallef is suspended for the Stripes while Lino Galea and Roderick Briffa, who missed the defeat to Hibs because of suspension, are also rated doubtful. Nigerian Haruna Doda, who scored Birkirkara's winner in their first round 1-0 defeat of Sliema, is back in the frame after serving a one-match ban.

Although Birkirkara have been talked of in the same breath as the Wanderers, Azzopardi believes that Sliema are the top favourites for the title.

"They were considered favourites from day one," Azzopardi said. "Every single time we face Sliema, it is they who start as favourites to win. This was also the case last year when they won the championship and we tasted success in KO competitions.

"The forecasts may tip Sliema to win every game but it does not mean that they always win. With regards to the title race, the focus has been on the rivalry between Sliema and us but never underestimate Hibs. At this stage last year, they had five points less than what they have now and that says a lot about their progress."

The favourites Sliema may be but Azzopardi is nonetheless upbeat about his team's chances today.

"I believe we can get a good result, be it a victory or a draw. On the back of our performances in the two games we played against Sliema, we have good reason to be confident. In the league, we beat them 1-0 and in the Super Five Cup, we also performed well but lost on penalties," the former Balzan Youths coach said.

Azzopardi's cautious optimism stems from his team's displays in direct matches with the Blues but Edward Aquilina's high morale owes to his team's six-game unbeaten run in the league.

"My team is undefeated in six league games and two matches from the Super Five Cup, so it's only natural that our morale is sky-high," the Sliema coach told The Times.

"Against Birkirkara, I will probably field my best 11. I am sure that the players appreciate the importance of this clash. We respect them and we know it will be very difficult but we also know we can do it."

Mifsud impact

Michael Mifsud's enterprising performance in the 3-0 dismissal of Valletta provides further cause for optimism. The ex-Kaiserslautern striker hit his side's third goal and was named player of the match in his first appearance for Sliema after a two-and-a-half-year spell in Germany.

"Our season gathered momentum after the 2-0 victory over Floriana. Mifsud's arrival has also been a timely boost for the team... I believe he is that type of player who can make the difference in key matches," Aquilina said.

"After two defeats, Birkirkara are desperate to collect the points at our own expense but it's also a known fact that we are facing a weakened side.

"George Mallia is out, Lino Galea has missed the last match with injury and Michael Galea has only just returned to competitive football. Important players are always missed," Aquilina remarked.

Dybril Sylla, Ian Ciantar and Lee Lombardi, all players in defence, are recovering from injuries for Sliema while Jamie Pace has been allowed to sign for Valletta on loan till the end of the season.

With only three games left before the start of crunch time, that is the Championship Pool, Aquilina wants his team to head for the second phase in pole position.

"That is the target we set ourselves at the end of the first round," Aquilina said. "It's our intention to be top of the league when the second phase kicks off in a few weeks time."

First round result - Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers 1-0.