Wounded Blues seek to bounce back in Super Cup contest

The 2002-2003 season is set for a fitting finale this evening as league champions Sliema Wanderers will be out seeking revenge for the midweek FA Trophy final defeat, at the hands of Birkirkara, when they square up with the same opponents at the National Stadium for the remaining honour at stake... the Super Cup.

On Thursday, the Wanderers saw their dreams of completing an eighth league and cup double thrown out of the window by a spirited Birkirkara side who beat the league champions 1-0 courtesy of a stoppage-time Michael Galea goal.

There were big celebrations at the National Stadium and Valley Road on Thursday night as the Stripes had somehow made up for the disappointment of losing out in the league title race to the same Wanderers.

It was also Birkirkara's first success over Sliema this season after four unsuccessful attempts in the league.

As things stand, Sliema are in danger of suffering the same fate which they themselves handed to Birkirkara in 2000. That year the Stripes, fresh from their first-ever league success, faced the Blues in the final of both the FA Trophy and the Super Cup.

In the end, Birkirkara suffered two damaging defeats that somewhat turned their title celebrations into one big anti-climax.

Sliema coach Edward Aquilina admitted his team were second-best on Thursday but urged his players to show that they are truly the champion side on the island by winning today's contest.

"It's no use to find excuses for our upset because the reality is that on Thursday we were not good enough to beat Birkirkara," Aquilina told The Sunday Times.

"On that day, my players simply did not perform to their usual standards and Birkirkara fully capitalised on the situation, taking full command of proceedings for most of the match. Perhaps, it was our worst showing throughout the whole season. Now, we have to make up for that and avoid crying over split milk.

"Our morale was shattered on Thursday, but now we have to look forward and forget the past. This match is an ideal occasion to bounce back and regain confidence. We can play much better than we did on Thursday. I have no doubt that my players will respond in style."

Aquilina's major worry ahead of today's match is not just to try and lift the players' spirits but also to name his strongest formation. Following the FA Trophy showdown, the Wander-ers' treatment room became increasingly crowded with several first team members complaining of injury.

Defender Ian Ciantar is definitely out with a knee ligament problem. Club top-scorer Danilo Doncic (knee), Noel Turner (calf) and Jeffrey Chetcuti (knee) are also facing a race against time to prove their fitness.

However, Joe Brincat has fully recovered and is expected to be named in the starting formation.

Confident Stripes

Aquilina's counterpart at Birkirkara, Stephen Azzopardi, is facing no such problems for this evening's match as he has a full squad at his disposal, all players brimming with confidence.

The Birkirkara coach hailed the commitment shown by his players in the trophy final and described that outing as the best of the team this season.

"I was really proud with the effort put in by the boys against Sliema," Azzopardi said. "They simply followed my instructions to perfection and, honestly, I could not ask for more.

"We controlled Sliema for most of the match, almost nullifying completely the threat they posed in counter attacks.

"We were also very strong from a physical point of view in a manner that I did not need to make any changes to the team. Had the game dragged into extra-time, I still had the option of effecting three substitutions."

Azzopardi is aware that there is no time for celebrations, just yet, as today the team is facing another important match which could add more colour to the Stripes' season.

"I'm expecting a different match now because Sliema will be looking to make up for Thursday's defeat," he said.

"But, we only have to produce the same level of performance to beat them again. There will be no particular changes but I will still look at the conditions of my players to see whether I need to freshen up things. Surely, it will be another demanding match."

At the start of the season, Azzopardi said the club's main target was to gain a place in the UEFA Cup. Yesterday, he admitted that next season Birkirkara will have to aim higher.

"Performances like the one against Sliema always heighten expectations at the club," he said.

"This season, we had a relatively young squad and our target was limited to a place in the UEFA Cup. However, if we manage to keep the same squad in summer, it's more than logical that the administration and the fans would expect the team to seriously challenge for the league title again."