Local football

New coach Aquilina confident Marsaxlokk will avoid the drop Marsaxlokk coach, Joseph John Aquilina, better known in football circles simply as JJ, reckons his new club will have to fight hard to avoid the drop even though he is confident that the side has all it takes to stay in the Premier League.

Aquilina, 45, was speaking after his appointment on the Marsaxlokk bench which became vacant after Albert Vella had informed the southseasiders last week that he did not intend to carry on with his duties and asked for a replacement.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Aquilina said he was delighted that Marsaxlokk had offered him the opportunity to coach a Premier League side for the first time in his career. A couple of weeks ago, Aquilina was coaching Xghajra Tornadoes but quit his job after only four matches in the Division One league.

His first match will be a tough one indeed as Marsaxlokk face Mosta in a vital end-of-the-table clash.

"This will be a great challenge for me because I have never been in charge of a Premier League club before. Marsaxlokk possess a valid squad. It will be one big fight till the end for us but I believe that we will preserve our status," he said.

"Apart from Valletta, Birkirkara, Sliema and Hibernians, all the others seem to be on the same level. On Saturday, we have an important match coming against Mosta... if we manage to win all three points it would be a superb start for me and a boost for the club."

Aquilina holds an 'A' UEFA Diploma in coaching and is a member of the Buzu Soccer School. He started his playing career with Sliema Wanderers in 1974 but six years later opted for a controversial move to Old Firm rivals Floriana with whom he finished his career in 1993.

Aquilina was a regular member of the national team making his international debut in 1979 in a 2-1 upset to Wales at the old Gzira Stadium.