Scerri eyes ambitious goals

The latest programme of Premier League fixtures offered several points of interest.

Valletta chalked up a second win over derby rivals Floriana in a matter of a few days while Marsaxlokk beat Birkirkara 3-2 to set up a decisive clash against Msida St Joseph for the last Championship Pool berth.

On a negative note, it was reported elsewhere that the MFA is probing claims of bribery in a Premier League match that follows the case we had in Division One only a few weeks ago. The association has not commented on the alleged case so far.

However, these scenarios took a secondary role on Sunday as the limelight was grabbed by Terrence Scerri who scored five goals in Hibernians' 7-2 thrashing of Tarxien Rainbows.

'Terrence Shows No Mercy' one banner read as Scerri pulverised the Tarxien defence, leaving his direct markers without explanation as to what might have hit them at the Hibs Ground.

For Scerri, it was the first time that he had managed five goals in a Premier League match. His previous best was four nettings for the Paolites in a 4-0 defeat of Marsa on December 16, 2006.

Michael Mifsud scored the highest number of goals in one match in the top flight these past two decades or so after hitting the target six times in Sliema's 11-0 defeat of Xgħajra Tornadoes on October 14, 2000.

"Five goals in one match and in the derby against Tarxien was unbelievable," Scerri told The Times yesterday.

"The match was of particular significance for us. Apart from the rivalry that exists between the two clubs, we had to beat them to stay on course for first place at the end of the second round.

So, the pressure was on us as well."

Hibs bombarded the Rainbows goal from the word go but they fell behind unexpectedly following Tarxien's first real attempt on goal.

"We never thought we could concede a goal the way we were playing but then we got the breakthrough we wanted.

I'm delighted to have scored five goals and the good thing is that it could have easily been more!

"Our off-the-ball movement was outstanding. I think this was our best performance this season."

So far, Scerri, 24, has scored 19 times in 17 league outings - the highest tally he has notched in the top flight since his debut for Hibs in 2000 after his transfer from St George's.

Scerri's scoring exploits are Hibs' main source of inspiration and many see them as the likely candidates to dethrone Valletta as Malta champions. That would be a complete turnaround from last season's poor fare when the Paolites missed out on a Championship Pool berth.

"I think that the arrival of coach Mark Miller and some new signings at the start of the season have given us a new dimension in our play," Scerri said.

"Before, the team had a more defensive lookabout with Pablo Doffo and Uzeh Edafe. This year Christian Callejas and Rumen Galabov are more inclined to attack. The team is venturing forward more frequently.

"Besides, my partnership with Andrew Cohen has never been better. We have been playing together for several years now and apart from team-mates we are also great friends.

"We don't need to talk to understand each other... results are there for all to see."

Scerri's brisk form inevitably attracted the attention of national team coach Dusan Fitzel who rewarded the Hibs powerhouse with a starting berth in the World Cup qualifier against Albania earlier this month. Malta drew that match 0-0 and in the build-up Scerri netted a brace in a 3-1 friendly win over Ferencvaros.

"I always wanted to cement myself in the national team's starting formation," Scerri, who has 15 Malta caps, said.

"I worked very hard in training with the national team and I feel that physically I made an improvement. Competition for places is tough but I have shown that I can do well for club and country. Hopefully, I will maintain this kind of form in the Premier League and the World Cup qualifiers."

Scerri has two other ambitions in mind.

"I want to help Hibernians win this championship," he said.

"I think we can do it. Valletta are a very strong team and so are Birkirkara but we are showing great consistency in every game we play.

"One other ambition of mine is to pursue my career abroad... it's a dream for all Maltese players. I know my chance will come one day so I have to be prepared and practise hard to score more goals and stay in shape."

The latest programme of Premier League fixtures offered several points of interest.

Valletta chalked up a second win over derby rivals Floriana in a matter of a few days while Marsaxlokk beat Birkirkara 3-2 to set up a decisive clash against Msida St Joseph for the last Championship Pool berth.

On a negative note, it was reported elsewhere that the MFA is probing claims of bribery in a Premier League match that follows the case we had in Division One only a few weeks ago. The association has not commented on the alleged case so far.

However, these scenarios took a secondary role on Sunday as the limelight was grabbed by Terrence Scerri who scored five goals in Hibernians' 7-2 thrashing of Tarxien Rainbows.

'Terrence Shows No Mercy' one banner read as Scerri pulverised the Tarxien defence, leaving his direct markers without explanation as to what might have hit them at the Hibs Ground.

For Scerri, it was the first time that he had managed five goals in a Premier League match. His previous best was four nettings for the Paolites in a 4-0 defeat of Marsa on December 16, 2006.

Michael Mifsud scored the highest number of goals in one match in the top flight these past two decades or so after hitting the target six times in Sliema's 11-0 defeat of Xgħajra Tornadoes on October 14, 2000.

"Five goals in one match and in the derby against Tarxien was unbelievable," Scerri told The Times yesterday.

"The match was of particular significance for us. Apart from the rivalry that exists between the two clubs, we had to beat them to stay on course for first place at the end of the second round.

So, the pressure was on us as well."

Hibs bombarded the Rainbows goal from the word go but they fell behind unexpectedly following Tarxien's first real attempt on goal.

"We never thought we could concede a goal the way we were playing but then we got the breakthrough we wanted.

I'm delighted to have scored five goals and the good thing is that it could have easily been more!

"Our off-the-ball movement was outstanding. I think this was our best performance this season."

So far, Scerri, 24, has scored 19 times in 17 league outings - the highest tally he has notched in the top flight since his debut for Hibs in 2000 after his transfer from St George's.

Scerri's scoring exploits are Hibs' main source of inspiration and many see them as the likely candidates to dethrone Valletta as Malta champions. That would be a complete turnaround from last season's poor fare when the Paolites missed out on a Championship Pool berth.

"I think that the arrival of coach Mark Miller and some new signings at the start of the season have given us a new dimension in our play," Scerri said.

"Before, the team had a more defensive lookabout with Pablo Doffo and Uzeh Edafe. This year Christian Callejas and Rumen Galabov are more inclined to attack. The team is venturing forward more frequently.

"Besides, my partnership with Andrew Cohen has never been better. We have been playing together for several years now and apart from team-mates we are also great friends.

"We don't need to talk to understand each other... results are there for all to see."

Scerri's brisk form inevitably attracted the attention of national team coach Dusan Fitzel who rewarded the Hibs powerhouse with a starting berth in the World Cup qualifier against Albania earlier this month. Malta drew that match 0-0 and in the build-up Scerri netted a brace in a 3-1 friendly win over Ferencvaros.

"I always wanted to cement myself in the national team's starting formation," Scerri, who has 15 Malta caps, said.

"I worked very hard in training with the national team and I feel that physically I made an improvement. Competition for places is tough but I have shown that I can do well for club and country. Hopefully, I will maintain this kind of form in the Premier League and the World Cup qualifiers."

Scerri has two other ambitions in mind.

"I want to help Hibernians win this championship," he said.

"I think we can do it. Valletta are a very strong team and so are Birkirkara but we are showing great consistency in every game we play.

"One other ambition of mine is to pursue my career abroad... it's a dream for all Maltese players. I know my chance will come one day so I have to be prepared and practise hard to score more goals and stay in shape."