It already seems to be all over for disappointing Stripes

Marsaxlokk make no mistake in mid-table battle

Sliema Wanderers confirmed they are the team to beat on Saturday as they charged their way past a disappointing Birkirkara.

They not only won the direct encounter 2-0 but also opened a 10-point gap with their rivals which, I believe, will be insurmountable, even when the points are deducted by half at the start of the second phase.

Sliema’s victory must have also pleased the other two challengers, Valletta and Hibernians, who have seen Birkirkara being ‘eliminated’ from the title chase, unless, of course, results in the remaining direct clashes produce a verdict which would allow the Stripes to re-enter the race.

However, even though everything is still possible, I cannot see the Stripes challenging seriously. They not only have to bridge this massive gap, but also to recover their good number of injured players in time to give their rivals a good run for their money.

Sliema played their best match of the season on Saturday. It was evident that they were miles ahead of their rivals, even if the Stripes saw much more of the ball.

But tactically, the Blues were in command for the whole 90 minutes. The defence, with Joe Brincat in commanding form at the back and with Brian Said and Darren Debono showing top form all the way, never gave the Stripes forwards a real scoring chance and even feared Nigerian striker Haruna Doda had to be substituted as he was kept well under control.

The Blues are slowly returning to their normal levels. After their slow start, they are picking up beautifully and the first round doubts are swiftly vanishing into thin air. After Saturday’s match, for which midfielder Stefan Giglio was back after a long absence through injury, one might say that they can only look forward to see things improving.

Giglio, in fact, was the prime motivator as Doncic, and to some extent, newcomer Ivan Woods, caused havoc in the Birkirkara rear whenever they had the ball at their feet.

And one other thing. Sliema have shown not only their strength in depth, but also their financial strength. Who has the resources to have the luxury of a foreigner sitting the match out on the substitutes’ bench, once Orosco Anonam is still unfortunately considered as a foreigner by the MFA?

The Stripes failed to rise to the occasion in their most crucial match. Not that they failed to show commitment. They obviously tried hard, but on the day, they were subdued by a totally superior Sliema side.

It was their first defeat to the Wanderers in five outings this season, but they have to admit that it arrived in the most crucial moment.

The Stripes now face Valletta at the weekend demoralised and they know quite well that they will have to start winning points once again, not just to keep their very remote chance of winning the title, but also to fight on for a UEFA Cup place or even the Intertoto Cup.

In the battle raging in mid-table, Marsaxlokk made no mistake as they overcame Lija Athletic who were pushed to the bottom spot after St Patrick beat Msida the following day.

Marsaxlokk are now in a stronger position to fight for a place among the top six, especially after Pieta’s draw with Floriana and Msida’s defeat against St Patrick.

The southern seasiders will be in a much better position if they go on and beat St Patrick in their forthcoming fixture on Sunday.

With just two matches remaining for each of the teams, it is interesting to see the opponents of the four clubs still interested (present points in brackets):

Floriana (23): v. Msida SJ and Sliema W.

Marsaxlokk (20): v. St Patrick and Msida SJ.

Pieta H. (19): v. Sliema W. and Valletta.

Msida SJ (17): v. Floriana and Marsaxlokk.

It is an intriguing programme which includes a lot of options.

For example, Floriana cannot yet say they are through, though they are almost there. Of course, they are in the best position.

Marsaxlokk seem to have the most favourable programme of the four clubs, while Pieta, in particular, have to face the top two clubs, Sliema and Valletta.

As for Msida, they are now in trouble and are forced to win their two matches against Floriana and Marsaxlokk if they are to keep their hopes alive. Not an easy job, especially the first match against Floriana, where the Greens will be all out to make sure by winning the three points.

Last Sunday, Floriana must have been more happy than Pieta to have concluded the match 1-1, although they must feel they could have also won the three points.

Yet the point obtained enabled them to retain the gap between them and Pieta, apart from extending their lead over Msida who lost to St Patrick.

The Saints from Zabbar registered their second victory on the trot and it enabled them to overtake Lija Athletic in the standings, though they will still have to play in the Relegation Pool in the second phase.

But the light has appeared at the end of the tunnel and Bobby Giorev’s boys are now delivering the goods which had appeared so far away in the opening stages of the competition, sometimes admittedly, due to some bad luck.

As for Msida, it was a disappointing defeat. It was also a big setback to their hopes of finishing among the top six, although one must also take into consideration that they were unlucky, having to field a depleted formation through a number of injury setbacks to some of their players as well as having three players suspended.