City seek to delay closure of title issue

There exists a distinct possibility that the three matches from the Championship Pool this weekend will have a lasting impact on the title issue.

The formbook suggests that Sliema Wanderers will not meet big trouble to scoop three points from their encounter against a Marsa-xlokk team ravaged by suspensions and injuries.

Victory for Sliema this afternoon would widen their gap on Valletta to eight points before the latter square up to Hibs in the pick of this weekend's matches.

The intensification of the race for the runner-up spot in the closing weeks of the Premier League trek has indeed turned the heat on Valletta, Birkirkara and Hibs.

Sliema are monitoring proceedings from a vantage position, comforted by the knowledge that another victory for them and a false step by their closest rivals will confirm the inevitable... a third Premier League title in three seasons.

Valletta will be adamant to delay the closure of the title race even if time is a luxury they and the other two contenders for second spot don't have.

Four matches is all Hibs have to launch a final assault for the runner-up spot, beginning with tomorrow's head-on clash against Valletta (5 p.m.) who go into the match with a five-point lead over the Paolites.

After a three-match losing streak, Valletta's 1-0 victory over Marsa-xlokk was viewed as a strong message about their intent to get back into the limelight.

Tomorrow's match holds special significance for their talismanic skipper Gilbert Agius who, according to football statistician Rinus Dahles, will play his 400th official match for Valletta.

"Surprise was my first feeling when you told me that I am on the brink of my 400th official match for Valletta," Agius told The Times.

"When I started my career, I never imagined that I would go to figure in so many matches for Valletta but this milestone can only be viewed positively."

The 31-year-old Malta skipper says the personal connotation of tomorrow's match will not alter his approach.

"Valletta-Hibs is an intriguing fixture but all games are important," Agius said.

"It does not make any difference if we play Hibs or another team because I always give my 100 per cent. I will try to help my team to the best of my abilities though it would be nice to crown my 400th match with a fine performance and a goal."

With 426 matches in the City shirt, Kristian Laferla is the player with the highest number of appearances for Valletta.

J.J. Aquilina, the City coach, was relieved after his much-changed team had the better of Marsaxlokk courtesy of a late Agius goal - his 196th for Valletta.

Tomorrow, Aquilina is expected to effect two changes in his line-up.

Sharlon Pace and Keith Fenech were ruled out of the Marsaxlokk match by injury and suspension respectively but they are back in the frame and poised to regain their place in the starting XI.

It remains to be seen whether Aquilina decides to recall Sean Sullivan and Massimo Grima who were dropped for the Marsaxlokk game purely on the grounds that their form has dipped lately.

Another person making a return for Valletta is assistant coach Martin Scicluna. Having been slapped with a six-month ban for alleged remarks he passed to referee Anton Zammit at the end of the 4-2 FA Trophy defeat to Marsaxlokk, Scicluna had to watch Saturday's win from the stands. But, he has now gained the go-ahead to resume his place in the dug-out after being cleared on appeal.

Meanwhile, Valletta's defeat of Marsaxlokk has surely strengthened Aquilina's hand but more importantly for the City clan, it has lifted their flagging morale.

"Our spirits were down after we suffered three consecutive defeats," Agius said.

"It was important to rediscover our winning touch against Marsaxlokk in order to re-ignite the enthusiasm that has been one of our chief attributes this season. Now it's paramount that we maintain the momentum in our final four games."

Although Sliema's march towards the title has now reached an advanced stage, Agius insists that Valletta have not surrendered hope of winning the league.

"As long as mathematics dictate that we have a chance of winning the title, we will try to stay in contention," Agius said.

"We will take it game by game and our focus has to be on seeing off Hibs. They are a strong outfit, replete with valid players. It's going to be a difficult game and I think Hibs see it precisely the same."

Overcoming an early Haruna Doda goal, Hibs seemed well on way to victory over Birkirkara when Andrew Cohen notched a quickfire brace but they were unable to preserve their advantage as the match ended 2-2.

Hibs' failure to secure a three-point return from their last outing has not diminished their confidence according to former Malta midfielder David Camilleri who hopes to guide his team to Euro qualification in the final weeks of his four-month loan spell from Marsaxlokk.

"The outcome of this game will surely have a bearing on our chances of finishing second or third in the table," Camilleri said. "The 2-2 draw against Birkirkara suited neither team's cause but at least we managed to stay in the running.

"Confidence-wise, our positive performance against Birkirkara has helped us a lot but we know that this is perhaps our final chance to keep up the fight for second place."

Hibs coach Robert Gatt must make do without the attacking flair of Cohen who was given a one-match ban in midweek. His place is likely to be taken by Terrence Scerri who has served his two-match suspension.

Burly defender Adrian Pulis is also available after a one-match ban forced his absence from the team's previous match.

Camilleri believes that victory is well within Hibs' grasp tomorrow.

"A repeat of our performance against Birkirkara would definitely improve our chances of beating Valletta," Camilleri said.

"Three points would surely bolster our bid of finishing second or third in the standings because on paper we should win our next two matches before the match with Sliema.

"Valletta are the only team to have beaten us in the Championship Pool, so we have added reason to win against them."

Previous results - Hibs vs Valletta 2-2, 2-1, 0-3.

Other matches...

Msida St Joseph vs Pietà Hotspurs (today at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

This meeting between Msida and Pietà is more a clash for top spot in the bottom category than an important relegation showdown.

These two teams are now regarded as firm favourites to stay afloat after opening a significant gap over St Patrick and Lija. However, the controversy and drama supplied by Pietà-Msida encounters in the last two seasons suggest another keenly-contested fight.

Msida, buoyed by their 3-0 demolition of St Patrick, start as favourites to win even if they are still without Italians Manrico Porceddu and Patrick Giua who failed to rejoin the team after the Easter holidays.

Pietà, second in the Relegation Pool with a six-point gap over St Patrick, are expected to be at full strength as they seek to gain their first victory over Msida this season.

Previous results - Msida vs Pietà 2-2, 1-1, 1-1.

Marsaxlokk vs Sliema Wanderers (today at 5 p.m., National Stadium).

Sliema Wanderers will expect nothing less than three points from their match with Marsaxlokk to lay one hand on the champions' trophy.

Midfielder Stefan Giglio is suspended and Joe Brincat is still recovering from a knee problem but otherwise, coach Edward Aquilina has no other selection worries.

Not so for Atanas Marinov, the Marsaxlokk mentor, who will promote eight players from the minors' team to complete his squad.

Five established players are sure to miss today's match as Cleaven Frendo and Malcolm Licari are suspended, Carlo Mamo and Shaun Tellus are injured and striker Andrè Schembri has been ordered to rest.

Previous results - Sliema W. vs Marsaxlokk 3-1, 2-1, 2-1.

Birkirkara vs Floriana (tomorrow at 3 p.m., National Stadium).

Birkirkara are in grave danger of missing out on second spot if they don't piece together a winning run in their remaining four matches. To-morrow, they are expected to collect maximum points from their clash with Floriana, the only team without a win in the Championship Pool.

Both teams have key players out of the equation. Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi will be without suspended defender William Camenzuli and the injured quartet of Michael Galea, Precious Monye, Roderick Briffa and Antoine Zahra.

The one-match suspension im-posed on defender Julian Briffa and Ian Azzopardi has put a further strain on Willie Vassallo's resources that are already stretched by injuries to Mauro Brincat and Andre Rocha Da Silva.

Previous results - Birkirkara vs Floriana 3-0, 3-1, 3-0.

Gilbert Agius's record...

2004-05 24 matches 14 goals
2003-04 25 matches 12 goals
2002-03 18 matches 9 goals
2001-02 Joined Pisa in Italy
2001-02 14 matches 5 goals
2000-01 37 matches 26 goals
1999-00 32 matches 22 goals
1998-99 35 matches 24 goals
1997-98 32 matches 18 goals
1996-97 33 matches 21 goals
1995-96 26 matches 9 goals
1994-95 26 matches 11 goals
1993-94 29 matches 15 goals
1992-93 16 matches 4 goals
1991-92 28 matches 3 goals
1990-91 23 matches 3 goals
1989-90 1 match 0 goals
Total 399 matches 196 goals
Debut for Valletta FC: August 16, 1990 (vs Hamrun 4-0 - Super Cup).
Debut in Premier League: September 2, 1990 (vs Sliema 2-3).
First goal in Premier League: February 24, 1991 (87th min. vs Birkirkara 3-1).
100th official match for Valletta: August 1, 1994 (vs Hamrun 1-1 - Super Five).
50th goal in Maltese football: Sept. 28, 1996 (League - vs Birkirkara 2-0).
100th match in Premier League: October 19, 1996 (vs Naxxar Lions 1-1).
Footballer of the Year: Season 1996/97.
50th goal in Premier League: Sept. 14, 1997 (88th min. vs Pietà H. 4-1).
100th goal in Maltese football: Dec. 19, 1998 (36th min. vs St Patrick 4-3).
Top scorer: Season 1998/99 - 20 goals (26 league matches).
250th official match for Valletta: July 14, 1999 (CL away vs Barry Town 0-0).
100th goal in Premier League: October 16, 2000 (87th min. vs Pietà 5-3).
200th match in Premier League: December 2, 2000 (vs Hibernians 2-1).
300th official match for Valletta: February 3, 2001 (vs Floriana 3-1 - League).
Footballer of the Year: Season 2000/01.
250th match in Premier League: December 6, 2003 (vs Floriana 2-1).

Honours In Major Competitions

League champions: 1991/92; 1996/97; 1997/98; 1998/99; 2000/01.
FA Trophy: 1991; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1999; 2001.
Centenary Cup winner: December 13, 2000 (vs Floriana 3-1).
Note: Gilbert Agius' goals tally for Valletta must be an all-time record for the club. However, at present the player with most appearances for Valletta is not Agius but former skipper Kris Laferla, now with Sliema Wanderers. Laferla played 426 matches in his long spell with Valletta, scoring 64 goals.

Statistics compiled by Rinus Dahles

Standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Sliema W.	24	17	5	2	43	19	35
Valletta	24	15	3	6	52	32	30
Birkirkara	24	11	9	4	55	32	26
Hibs	24	11	10	3	42	31	25
Marsaxlokk	24	8	6	10	38	35	17
Floriana	24	6	7	11	23	31	13
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Msida St Joseph	21	6	7	8	33	35	15
Pietà Hotspurs	21	6	5	10	36	36	14
St Patrick	21	3	3	15	19	49	08
Lija Athletic	21	3	1	17	11	52	07

Note: Msida have been deducted two points