Strikers take centre stage to set up exciting finale

Strikers Danilo Doncic and Matthew Calascione were the chief architects behind their teams' passage to the final. Doncic hit four goals in Sliema's 5-2 extra-time victory over Hibs and Calascione weighed in with a hat-trick in Birkirkara's 4-1 defeat of Floriana.

Their goals paved the way for a thrilling finale to the local football season as the two KO finalists have been the most consistent teams throughout the year, never mind the fierce rivalry between their fans.

Doncic has collected more than his fair share of honours during his time in Maltese football but his crucial contribution to Sliema's progression to the final mirrors his determination and hunger for more.

"The double is now a realistic target for us," Doncic told The Times.

"Sliema have not achieved the double since 1965, at a time when our coach Edward Aquilina was still playing for the team. It would be something of a feat for us to reach that goal after so many years."

Sliema needed every bit of their mental and physical energies to see off the bold challenge of Hibs in the semi-finals. The Paolites have made it a habit to show their best form against the Blues but on Sunday, they had no answer to Doncic's goalscoring prowess.

"Hibs always seem to perform to the maximum whenever they play us. I cannot explain why we always tend to struggle against them. Even on Sunday, we thought we had them under control after we went 2-1 ahead but Hibs always found the will to come back at us and level matters," Doncic said.

"Obviously, what's most important is that we won the match to move into the final."

Although unwilling to play up his rich contribution to Sliema's semi-final victory, Doncic admits to being delighted with his performance.

"This is not the first time that I scored four goals in one match. I think I did that during my time with Valletta.

"What I am most pleased about is my finishing in cup-ties. These are different from league encounters because one mistake can make the difference between progress and elimination. Apart from the goals, I was also satisfied with all other aspects of my game, the work-rate, fitness and defending possession in critical moments," Doncic said.

Doncic is bracing himself for a difficult final on Thursday.

"Birkirkara are a very good team. I believe two finals - Trophy and Super Cup - between Birkirkara and Sliema should provide a fitting end to the football season because we have been the best teams by far.

"They have a strong squad with no particular weaknesses in any position but I think our experience should give us a psychological edge. Most of our players know what it takes to win such contests because they have won several honours in their careers. Experience can be a crucial factor, no doubt," Doncic said.

Three Trophy titles in his three seasons with Valletta say everything about Doncic's cup pedigree.

"I certainly have good memories of the FA Trophy after winning it three times with Valletta. What is more inspiring for us is that Edward Aquilina was coaching Valletta during their golden years," Doncic remarked.

Conventional wisdom has it that football players are well past their prime when they reach their 30s but Doncic's displays of late seem to belie such claims.

His contract with Sliema has one year left but the striker, top scorer in the Premier League along with Michael Galea and Adrian Mifsud, has no plans to retire.

"As long as I feel I can contribute, I will continue to play," Doncic said. "My fitness is still good and if I can stay free of injury, I believe I can play for a couple of more years. My record these last two seasons gives me good reason to be optimistic. I have played every official match since I signed for Sliema two seasons ago, scoring 50 goals in 56 league appearances," Doncic, 33, said.

Sliema's goalscoring prowess is one of their main weapons but Birkirkara also have a pungent attack, spearheaded by Galea and Calascione.

"Floriana provided stiff resistance," Calascione said. "It took us a while to settle into our usual rhythm but the first goal helped to ease our nerves. Nevertheless, Floriana were motivated to give it their best shot and continued to apply the pressure but our second goal killed them off."

Hunger for success

Birkirkara's long-term ambitions stretch beyond the 2002-2003 FA Trophy, something their coach Stephen Azzopardi is only too willing to stress, but the 27-year-old Calascione said the team's hunger for honours is as strong as ever.

"I believe all the top teams, the likes of Sliema and Valletta strive to win as many honours as possible and we are no different. Our target now is to make sure that, at least, one major trophy comes to Birkirkara not just for us, the players, but to appease our passionate fans," Calascione added.

Calascione's hat-trick against Floriana, his first for Birkirkara, has added weight to suggestions that the former St Andrew's striker has finally put behind him the injuries that blighted his season.

"It's difficult to get straight back into the flow of things when you've have been sidelined for a long time," Calascione said. "For the past few games, I played as wing-back which is not really my best position but when the chance came to play up front, I think I made the most of the opportunity.

"Michael and I have been playing alongside each other for several years and that is an asset. We definitely did well against Floriana and I hope we do it again in the final.

"Sliema also possess a deadly attack. Moreover, the final is sure to capture the interest of the fans because a Sliema-Birkirkara meeting has established itself as the highlight of the season for the past two years, what with the rivalry between the two sets of fans.

"In the direct league encounters with Sliema, we have proved more than a match for them even if results were not always forthcoming. The final can go either way," Calascione said.

Calascione, tied to Birkirkara till the end of next season, declared himself confident in the team's chances of retaining the trophy.

"We are coming from a convincing performance against Floriana whereas Sliema may be a bit jaded after their semi-final against Hibs was decided in extra-time," he said.