As was widely expected, Valletta FC won their 19th title in their glorious history after Birkirkara beat Marsaxlokk 2-0 on Saturday afternoon. And they went on to open their celebrations with a fine 2-0 win over their eternal rivals Floriana the following day.
Valletta were certainly the talk of the town this season, at the start of which, they never dreamt of winning the title. In fact, they looked more like a struggling side in their opening matches, including a sensational defeat at the hands of the same Floriana.
But the team finally started clicking in December of last year and a good second round in the first phase enabled them to climb up the standings to the top place which they never relinquished except for some brief moments.
Apart from the players who were the protagonists on the field of play, coach Paul Zammit and club president Victor Sciriha must be credited with the title win.
Zammit has guided this bunch of youngsters throughout the campaign building their character – turning them from strugglers into champions. He transmitted his never-say-die spirit onto his players, even if Valletta have always been known for their unique fighting spirit.
The boys responded magnificently and Zammit must have had his biggest satisfaction in his footballing career so far on Saturday when City were proclaimed Malta champions.
Sciriha must also be credited with the title win as his arrival at the helm of the club brought about some freshness into the City clan after a lean period of seven years.
The new arrivals, including Andrew Hogg, Josef Mifsud, Heiner Backhaus, Kenneth Scicluna and Frank Temile, integrated themselves well into the side. Together with the experienced Gilbert Agius, Sebastian Monesterolo, David Camilleri and Stefan Giglio, the team found its mettle, and although never showing signs of great superiority over all the others, they still remained the most consistent team, maintaining a positive run of 21 matches in domestic competitions (league and trophy).
It was Sciriha who provided the financial means to put City back into the place where it belongs – at the top. And I can predict that it will become much more difficult for the other sides to be competitive if his dream of turning Valletta into a professional side becomes a reality.
It is a dream which, if realised, can lead to Maltese football finally seeing an improvement even at club level. If Valletta can do it, then it would be possible for the other clubs, at least the big guns, to follow suit, in an effort to remain competitive. On present standards, we cannot ever hope of making a success from our European ventures.
Despite being celebration time, I feel I cannot fail to comment on Frank Temile’s expulsion on Sunday. Of course, he is still young and inexperienced, but his action which led to the obvious red card was unacceptable. Not even a younger player should ever resort to such tactics on the field of play, let alone a top Premier League player.
Meanwhile, Birkirkara seem to have made a big step forward towards participation in next year’s UEFA Cup when they managed to beat Marsaxlokk 2-0 on Saturday.
Thanks to this result, not only did the Stripes hand the title to Valletta, but they overtook Marsaxlokk in the runner-up position. The latter are now being chased by Sliema Wanderers who, thanks to their 5-3 win over Hamrun, have moved to within just one point of Marsaxlokk (and two below Birkirkara).
It will certainly be an interesting battle for the runner-up place till the very end, but the Stripes must be considered favourites if one had to take a glance at the remaining programme, which is as follows:
Birkirkara (30 points): v Floriana, v. Hamrun S.
Marsaxlokk (29): v. Hamrun S., v. Valletta.
Sliema W. (28): v. Valletta, v. Floriana.
The three clubs will obviously be challenging for that place even if Birkirkara can reach their objective by winning the FA Trophy. In that case, the second UEFA Cup berth will go to the third placed club in the Premier League.
On page 23: Victor Sciriha wants to turn Valletta into the first professional football club
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Player of the week
Gilbert Agius (Valletta)
The Valletta and Malta star striker Gilbert Agius is my pick this week after his five-star performance in the match against city and suburban rivals Floriana.
Although considered a veteran these days, Agius is still a most valid player. In fact, he was influential in his 10-man side’s defeat of Floriana, securing the three points with an excellent second goal just before the end.
Agius has been exemplary to his younger members in the team, not only showing consistency but also by imparting most of his skills onto most of them.
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The top scorers
19 goals - Sebastian Monesterolo (Valletta)
12 - Marcelo Pereira (Mqabba)
11 - JP Mifsud Triganza (B’Kara)
10 - Julio Alcorse (M’xlokk), Terence Scerri (Hibernians), Njongo Priso (Msida), Alfred Effiong (Hamrun S.), Frank Temile (Valletta), Ivan Woods (Sliema),
9 - Ryan Darmanin (Floriana), Gaetan Spiteri (Hamrun), Pedro dos Santos Calcado (Msida SJ),
8 - Ian Zammit (Valletta), Aleksander Madzar (Marsaxlokk), Etienne Barbara (Sliema W.)
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Next programme
(all matches at Ta’ Qali)
Thursday 8 May
6pm Mqabba-Msida SJ
8pm Birkirkara-Floriana
Friday 9 May
6pm Hibernians-Pieta H.
8pm Hamrun S.-Marsaxlokk
Saturday 10 May
5pm Valletta-Sliema W.