A draw against current League leaders Birkirkara was not enough for Floriana to earn them a Championship Pool place. Once again they will have to battle with the other three clubs to avoid relegation, while Birkirkara made certain of being crowned winter champions as they now have an unassailable lead over Hibernians and Sliema.
The final issues concern the final berth in the Top Six and another in the Relegation Pool. These will be determined at the weekend, depending on the result of the Hamrun-Msida match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday. A victory or even a draw will be enough for Hamrun to join the top five and condemn Msida to the Relegation Pool, but a victory for Msida will see the situation reversed. Then the Saints will finish in the Championship Pool (fifth place) and Hamrun in the Relegation Pool.
On current form, it seems as if the Spartans are favourites to finish in the Championship Pool, thus eliminating any worry they might have about relegation. But it is pertinent to mention that the first round match had ended in a 2-1 victory for Msida St Joseph.
Judging from what happened at the weekend, it was obvious that the Spartans showed a lot of determination together while enjoying a certain amount of luck to beat a rampant Valletta side, while Msida despite everything, still finished on the losing end.
It was Msida’s fifth defeat in this second round, where they have collected just five points from a possible 24.
On Saturday they did everything but score against Hibernians. Let it be said that they were a very unlucky side and they never deserved to lose on the day.
But apart from having the element of luck deserting them, they also found Mario Muscat in top form as the latter is showing one and all that he is still valid for a place in the national squad after he had been dropped by former national coach Horst Heese. Time and again, it was he who denied what appeared to be certain goals with some good saves and neat handling.
The Paolites must certainly thank Muscat for the three points. Otherwise, it could have been another story and they would have had a bigger leeway to bridge with the leaders at the start of the second phase.
However, after two consecutive defeats, it was good for the Paolites to return to winning form, but their performance fell far away from being labeled as encouraging and they will have to show considerable improvement if they are to maintain their challenge for the title.
Marsaxlokk also fell victims to over confidence as they surprisingly succumbed to a highly unexpected 3-1 defeat against Pieta Hotspurs.
It was the first defeat for the southern seasiders since the 4-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Hibernians at the end of the first round.
Theirs was certainly a disappointing performance as the doomed Pieta produced a performance which should instill more confidence as they approach the battles to avoid relegation.
On Sunday, the fiery Hamrun-Valletta match went Hamrun’s way by the odd goal in three, but despite the defeat, the citizens still managed to secure a Championship Pool berth simply because Floriana just managed a point (they needed all three) in their match against Birkirkara.
Even here, Valletta forced the pressure on the Spartans for most of the time, but once again, Paul Zammit’s side was found wanting in attack where goals seem hard to come by, although Hamrun goalie Cordina was also responsible for a number of saves which thwarted the citizens on several occasions.
The Spartans played with great determination even if they had to defend for long stretches, but they showed character when, after Valletta equalised eight minutes from the end, they still found enough energy to hit back and score their winner through former City player Ivan Zammit.
A performance like that on Sunday against Msida the coming weekend should see them safely through to the Championship Pool.
In the other match, Birkirkara were halted from their string of impressive results – they had scored 12 goals in their last two matches – as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a battling Floriana side.
The Stripes seemed to be heading towards a narrow win till the Greens equalised near the end. But the point was not enough for Floriana to earn a berth in the Championship Pool.
The Greens’ poor first round has contributed to their downfall this season. But their performances in the second round improved so much that they should have little problems in avoiding relegation.
The Stripes will be happy to have secured the title of winter champions, but they will not be happy to have lost two points in the process. That means they will now start the second phase on 21 points, instead of a possible 22.
Best player
Mario Muscat (Hibernians)
The Paolites’ goalie is my pick this weekend after a highly impressive performance against Msida St Joseph on Saturday.
There is no doubt that Hibs owed their 2-0 win to their goalie who is making it evident, if there was any need, that he is still a top class goalie and could still give a valid contribution to the national team.
On Saturday, Msida were unlucky to have found Muscat in such top form, otherwise they might have assured themselves of a place in the Championship Pool.
Leading scorers
15 – Michael Galea
11 – Cleaven Frendo
10 – Daniel Bogdanovic, Andrew Cohen, Etienne Barbara
9 – Danilo Doncic, Daniel Nwoke, Gaetan Spiteri, Adrian Mifsud
8 – Ivan Woods, Martin Deanov,
7 – Wendell Gomes, Andre Schembri
6 – Terence Scerri, Maczerob Okoro, Haruna Doda,
5 – David Camilleri, Udo Nwoko, Ikechuckwu Chibueze
4 – Antoine Zahra, Joe Brincat, Daniel Theuma, Roderick Bajada, William Camenzuli, Ian Zammit, Matthew Calascione, Malcolm Licari
Next matches
Saturday 11 February
(At Ta’ Qali)
2pm Pieta H.-Sliema W.
4pm Hibernians-Marsaxlokk
Sunday 12 February
(at Victor Tedesco Stadium)
12.45pm Mosta-Valletta
2.45pm Hamrun S.-Msida SJ