Sliema Wanderers were made to wait for at least another week before they start celebrating a third consecutive league title win. On Saturday, Birkirkara beat them convincingly 3-1.

In the process, they not only kept Valletta (and themselves) in the title hunt, but also made sure they remained in the chase for the second place where also the other two clubs involved, Valletta and Hibernians, registered wins.

In actual fact, Sliema’s defeat has brought about some questions which will only be answered the coming weekend. For, if Valletta manage to inflict another defeat on the Wanderers next Monday, then not only will the Blues’ celebrations be postponed for a further week, but there will also be some serious doubts as to whether they will eventually be able to win the title after having dominated the scene for the whole season.

At present, they still enjoy a five-point lead over Valletta and six points over Birkirkara with all clubs having to play two more matches.

This weekend, Hibernians will be meeting Floriana, Birkirkara face Marsaxlokk and Sliema will come up against Valletta in what should be termed as one of the most interesting programmes.

If, as expected Birkirkara and Hibernians win their clashes on Friday and Saturday, then both Valletta and Sliema will be put under great pressure to win all the points at stake in the match between them on Monday evening.

In that match, if Sliema win or even draw, they will be declared champions. But the crux is that Valletta cannot even afford to play for a draw. Considering that they and Hibernians are also out of the FA Trophy, then their only remaining chance for Europe is the second place in the league.

If Birkirkara and Hibs win and Valletta lose, the citizens will be relegated to fourth place and that would leave them in a position where they would then have to beat Birkirkara in their final match while hoping that Hibs falter against Sliema on that final day.

It is possible that by next Monday evening we could have the standings looking as follows: Sliema 38 points, Valletta 36, Birkirkara 35 and Hibernians 34. It is a situation which certainly puts Sliema as favourites as they have two out of three options in their favour – a win or a draw is enough for them.

If they are declared champions, Birkirkara will obviously become favourites for the second place as they would overcome the citizens if the Stripes beat Marsaxlokk and, in the final match against Valletta, they would also need a win or just a draw. If that match ends in a draw, then Hibs would need to beat Sliema to claim second place.

It is a complicated issue which will start solving itself the coming weekend.

The past weekend we had Birkirkara and Hibernians playing the best football as they convincingly beat Sliema and Marsaxlokk respectively to confirm they both have a valid squad which should have given them better satisfactions throughout the season.

The Stripes, in particular, displayed that kind of football which had made them an outstanding team in the opening part of the season as they demolished Sliema who, however, were still depleted through the notable absences of Danilo Doncic and Joe Brincat, among others.

The Stripes played some delightful football and their repertoire included a first goal which was simply brilliant in its build-up and execution. It was one-touch football at its best with a typical Haruna Doda brilliant finish. We have rarely seen goals like that this season at Ta’ Qali.

Birkirkara had Chucks Nwoko back to his old best. It was the first time this season I have seen Nwoko playing so well. Most probably he has now been declared fully fit after his earlier problems with some injuries. His contribution was, by far, the best this season for the Stripes.

Sliema were left with no option but to postpone their celebrations. There was disappointment all round as, once again, the team failed to enthuse their most ardent followers.

The absence of Brincat and Doncic was obviously felt, but this cannot be regarded as an excuse considering the top class squad the Blues are rightly proud of.

Yet they were found wanting on this occasion as the defence, in particular, was in difficulty against fast merchants as were Birkirkara’s Mifsud Triganza, Doda and Mark Anthony Bonnici on that right flank.

The Blues will now have to wait at least till next Monday to celebrate what would be their third consecutive title and the 26th in their illustrious history.

Hibernians also did well to beat Marsaxlokk convincingly on Thursday evening to maintain their strong challenge for the runner-up place.

It is true that if they beat Floriana, the Paolites will be required to beat Sliema as well in their final match, provided that the other results also go in their favour, but on such form as that shown on Thursday, then nothing can be taken as impossible to be achieved.

The city and suburban derby between Valletta and Floriana provided some of the fireworks which existed so regularly in the past between the two sides. Unfortunately, that rivalry was not kept on sporting lines as some Floriana fans got involved in some unwarranted scuffles with some Police officers who were only doing their duty at the Stadium.

It was a shame on those few so-called Floriana supporters to give such a bad image to a club which had shown itself to be among the foremost trouble-free clubs on the island throughout the years.

Those scenes witnessed at Ta’ Qali on Saturday confirmed once again that some of our football enthusiasts – a very small minority – cannot still accept defeat. Although I have to say that the Floriana fans had been taunted by their Valletta rivals for most of the time, I cannot say that those actions can ever be justified by anyone.

I am still expecting the club to issue a statement dissociating themselves from the actions of these supporters. Otherwise, they might find that even the MFA will issue a serious charge against them as, according to the rules, it is the club which is responsible for its supporters’ behaviour.

In any case, the football produced by the two sides was far from bemusing but it was evident that Valletta, despite having to play without their suspended star striker Gilbert Agius, were the better team on the field of play.

The citizens were certainly lucky the way they scored that fluke second goal. But although the victory was registered with a narrow scoreline in view of EviParker’s fine goal near the end, I never had a doubt as to where the points were going at the end.

I also thought that referee Lorry Sammut did well to send off goalkeeper Reuben Gauci near the end – for committing two fouls in one action outside the area. However, I also thought that he should have applied the advantage rule a second time and not stop the match as the action was proceeding beyond the edge of the area. In fact, Valletta were denied a third goal at that juncture!

Best player

Haruna Doda (Birkirkara)

The Stripes’ Nigerian striker played one of his best matches for Birkirkara this season, also scoring a brilliant goal to pave the way for his side’s important win against Sliema.

I am still amazed at his conclusion of that splendid Birkirkara move which produced the first goal. His positioning to receive the ball from Bonnici and his powerful rising shot were simply a delight to watch!

His running and dribbling as well as some of his crosses into the Sliema area were a feature of Saturday’s match. It made it evident that he has finally overcome his injury problems.

Best coach

Stephen Azzopardi (Birkirkara)

My pick this week is obvious. It is the Stripes mentor who guided his side to an excellent victory over none other than the runaway league leaders.

After having seen both Hibs and Valletta win their clashes, the Stripes were under more pressure to win Saturday’s top clash. But they won on to achieve the three points in a most convincing manner.

After the ups and downs throughout the season, Azzopardi is now reaping the fruits of his hard labour and with players like Doda and Nwoko back to their normal fitness, it is no wonder the team is back to its best.