HENRY BRINCAT
Congratulations Birkirkara FC.
For the second time in their relatively short 60-year history, they have won the Malta Championship after Sliema handed them the title yesterday.
The Blues, who had won the title for three years in succession, had their dream of winning a record fourth title in succession dashed by the Stripes who made a remarkable positive run after a shaky start to the season. At one time, they were even eight points behind Sliema in the standings, but then, thanks to their great positive run and also to Sliema’s failures, they took command and have now realised their dream.
Their long suffering fans yesterday sighed with relief. After the
1-1 draw against Marsaxlokk last week, they seemed pessimistic about the team’s chances of retaining their six-point lead in the two matches that remained!
Yet they had forgotten all about Msida who yesterday did them a great favour as they held their mighty rivals Sliema to a 3-3 draw – a result which secured the title for the Stripes who now enjoy an unassailable lead of five points.
The Stripes certainly deserved the title this season. They have been undoubtedly the most consistent side in the Bank of Valletta Premier League and their numerous and loyal fans also deserved such a triumph.
The team has been hampered by a number of injuries to some key players throughout the whole season, but coach Stephen Azzopardi had an answer to all the problems that crept up throughout these nine months.
Azzopardi must be one of the happiest men in the Stripes clan since yesterday. In fact, the League title crowns an era of four years during which he has led the side to every honour in local football, some of them also repeated on more than one occasion.
Congratulations also to the players whose contribution on the field of play was very generous to say the least. Now they can look forward towards the Trophy and next year’s participation in the Champions League.
And finally, congratulations also to the hard working men on the committee led by Victor Zammit. Well done.
Celebrations are already underway at ‘Il-Wied’ soon after the end of yesterday’s Sliema-Msida match. They are ought to continue today at Ta’ Qali for the match against Hibernians and later again at Birkirkara.