City, Greens aim for centennial feat

Judgment day has arrived for Valletta and Floriana. These two perennial rivals go head-to-head this evening in the final of the Anniversary Cup (kick-off 7.30 p.m.).

Conceived by the Malta FA to celebrate 100 years of league football, this one-off knock-out competition is set for an enthralling denouement as thousands of fans are expected to flock to the National Stadium today.

This is not the first time that these two glorious clubs have contested a final of a tournament commemorating a milestone. Ten years ago, Valletta enjoyed one of the greatest moments in their history when they upstaged Floriana 3-1 to capture the Centenary Cup.

The prospect of emulating that triumph will doubtless act as a spur for the Valletta players but on the other side of the fence, Floriana, widely regarded as the underdogs, will be adamant on creating a piece of history of their own.

Valletta coach Ton Caanen is looking forward to a great evening of football.

"It promises to be a nice day for Maltese football and we're looking forward to the final," Caanen said.

"From a personal point-of-view, I want to win honours to enhance my career and this final gives me the chance to lift my first cup in Malta. The players feel the same .

"I'm expecting a great atmosphere at the stadium because games between these two teams are special."

Caanen has no selection problems today.

Luke Dimech, Valletta's defensive bulwark, and right-back Steve Borg will be hoping for a first-team recall after suspension forced them to miss the 3-0 league win over Tarxien on Saturday.

Valletta's status as overwhelming favourites inevitably evokes added pressure but Caanen wouldn't have it any different.

Faced with a question if the pressure could hinder Valletta , Caanen replied: "I think it has the opposite effect. We've been under pressure all season because people expect great things from us but we're still in contention for three honours. We're second in the league, we're in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy and we have also reached this final."

In their two league meetings this season, Valletta plundered 10 goals as they beat Floriana 6-0 and 4-0. Given their negative record, Floriana may be tempted to devise a defensive approach. Caanen expects them to go for a counter-attacking strategy.

"This being a final, you can't treat it like a league match," Caanen said.

"It's a do-or-die affair that will be decided after 90 or 120 minutes of football, there is no second chance.

"I don't think Floriana will open up and try to play pretty football. They will probably wait for us to do the running and try to attack on the counter."

With thousands of Valletta fans expected to head to Ta' Qali today, Caanen urged the City faithful to back the players.

"My message to the Valletta supporters is to enjoy the final," Caanen said.

"I can assure our fans that we will do everything we can to win this cup but I urge them to support the team during the whole match because their backing gives the players a big boost."

Floriana coach Zoran Popovic described Valletta as "the national team plus foreigners" but for him "every match is 50-50" at the start.

"My philosophy is that teams start a game with an equal chance," Popovic said.

"I told this to my players before our semi-final against Mosta and I will repeat it before the final.

"Valletta have the best Maltese players in their ranks but we know what our strengths are. Two months ago, Floriana were struggling badly but we came through that difficult period and we have now secured our place in the Premier League.

"We respect Valletta but we also believe we can produce a bold performance."

Popovic rested some of his big guns in last Saturday's 1-0 defeat of the Spartans but the likes of Orosco Anonam, Michael Ghebru, Christian Caruana and Pablo Doffo are certainties to be in the starting line-up this evening.

Winning the Anniversary Cup would be a tremendous achievement for Floriana, the winners of the first league in 1909-10, considering the difficulties they have encountered this season. Popovic, who took charge of the team in January following the resignation of Roddy Collins, believes today can be a turning point for the Greens.

"I think that this game will provide strong indicators about our team's progress," Popovic said.

"If we offer Valletta a stiff challenge, then we can say that Floriana are on their way up but if we flop, people will say that we're still far behind Valletta."

Meanwhile, this evening's final marks the end of the MFA celebrations to commemorate 100 years of National League football.

Prior to kick-off, Joe Mifsud, the MFA president, will unveil a plaque at the National Stadium.

Also today, Maltapost will issue a stamped envelope with a commemorative stamp.

Path to final

Floriana
Third round: vs Mqabba 2-0 (M. Briffa, Wasiu).
Fourth round: vs Melita 1-0 (Wasiu).
Quarter-final: vs Ħamrun 2-2 (J. Borg, Darmanin) (Floriana through 6-5 on penalties).
Semi-final: vs Mosta 3-1 aet (Spiteri, Ghebru, Darmanin).

Valletta
Third round: vs Gozo FC 7-0 (Cruyff (2), Falzon, Borg, E. Agius, Briffa, Giglio).
Fourth round: vs Vittoriosa 3-0 (Zammit 3).
Quarter-final: vs Hibernians 2-0 (Briffa, Sammut).
Semi-final: vs Tarxien 3-1 aet (G. Agius, Mifsud, Priso).