Valletta and Sliema seek to save their season

For Valletta and Sliema Wanderers this evening`s Rothmans Trophy semi-final clash, which kicks off at 7.30 p.m., represents their last chance to give some colour to a dull season.

After last year`s record-breaking campaign, during which they landed an impressive six-trophy haul, including the Trophy, Valletta have failed miserably to live up to those levels. Time is certainly running out fast for them to retain any of those honours this year.

The Wanderers claimed the two early season tournaments - the Lowenbrau Cup and the Super Five Cup - and last week Hibernians were crowned champions for the first time in seven years. The Trophy and the low-profile season-ending Super Cup are still up for grabs.

The endless list of injuries which hit the team, coupled with a rather negative disciplinary record this season, besides a change in coach, did little to help Valletta`s cause in producing another strong challenge for any of the honours at stake.

They finished fourth in the Premiership and failing to win the Trophy this month could mean that the Citizens will have to participate in the less attractive Intertoto Cup, and a trip to Albania, for the first time since the competition was introduced in 1994.

So far the only Maltese sides to figure in this unpopular summer competition, with three UEFA Cup berths at stake, were Floriana, Sliema and Hibernians.

City had nothing to cheer about so far but Sliema cannot be happy with what they have achieved either.

The Blues, after starting the season on a top note, failed to keep the momentum going with the result that yet again they finished the Premier League in the runners-up spot thus missing out on their most important target of the season, despite being the busiest side on the transfer market.

Valletta boast of an impressive record in the competition for the past decade. Since 1991, they contested the final on nine occasions... lifting the coveted trophy six times.

Last season, they won the competition for the 13th time in their history after beating Birkirkara 3-0 in the final with their goals coming from Gilbert Agius, Kamil Dvorak and Ivan Zammit.

Dvorak is rated 50-50 for today`s match as he is still recovering from minor knee surgery but Zammit is definitely out. His recovery is still not complete even though his chances of figuring in the final, if the team makes it, are not ruled out completely.

Yesterday, the Disciplinary Commissioner handed a two-match ban to Edward Azzopardi of Valletta after the wing-back saw red in the quarter-final against Marsa.

Sliema Wanderers` pedigree should not be underestimated either. They have won the competition 23 times with their last success coming two years ago when they marred Birkirkara`s first ever league title celebrations with a 4-1 win in the final.

Sturdy midfielder Roger Walker could probably start on the bench today for Sliema as he still has to recover fully from slight concussion suffered early in the second half in the quarter-final against Pietà. Otherwise coach Jeff Wood is banking on a full squad.

This season Valletta and Sliema clashed six times. The Blues recorded two impressive wins in the Lowenbrau Cup and the Super Five competition. They notched an impressive 5-2 win in August and then imposed themselves again in emphatic fashion in January with a 4-1 win.

In the Premier League, Valletta held the upperhand. After Sliema won the first round encounter 3-0, thanks to a Danilo Doncic hat-trick, the Lilywhites claimed the second round match 2-1 with Agius marking his return from Pisa with the winning goal.

Sliema took all points in a controversial first match from the Championship Pool (2-1). Last month, Valletta won the last league clash between the two sides 2-0.

The other semi-final will be played tomorrow, also at 7.30 p.m., between Hibs and Birkirkara.

If Valletta win today they will be hoping the Paolites eliminate Bir-kirkara as this would guarantee them a place in the UEFA Cup whatever the result in the final.

That would also condemn the Stripes to play in the Intertoto Cup and a dreaded trip to Eastern Europe.