Valletta FC will be facing St Patrick’s of Ireland at Richmond Park this evening (kick-off 8.45pm) in a second qualifying round first leg match.
After the 5-2 aggregate defeat of Keflavik in the first qualifying round, all eyes are now on the citizens to see whether they will be able to maintain the pace in the competition.
One man who is certainly an optimist is Dutch coach Ton Caanen (photo) who believes that the club can progress into the next round at the expense of the Irish club.
Speaking to the Irish club’s official website, Caanen said: “I think there was perhaps a feeling among people in Malta that they did not believe that teams from Malta could compete in the UEFA Cup and maybe it was only wishful thinking on my part saying that we could compete. In winning against Kevflavik, maybe, we changed a few opinions. While the result was a boost to other clubs in Maltese football I was particularly pleased for our own club and our president as there had been quite an investment made at the club”.
Caanen has seen his side’s opponents in action and is aware that the Saints have a relatively new side compared to that of last season which had a good run in the UEFA Cup.
The only problem for the Dutch coach was the non arrival of Cameroon striker Njongo Priso because of a visa problem. However, he was expected to join his team-mates later yesterday as the citizens were trying to solve the problem with the Maltese embassy in London.
Priso was also expected to take part in the training session planned to be held at the venue of tonight’s match, that is, Richmond Park.
Otherwise, Caanen has no other problems and will once again have all his players at his disposal. Among them are Jordi Cruyff and Geert den Ouden who have already become City’s idols.
Cruyff told the club’s official website that this was his second visit to Dublin. He said: “The last time I came to Dublin was to help launch a Manchester United Shop. I’m looking forward to coming back to Dublin but this time there is a more serious job to do”.
Of course, he was referring to Valletta’s intentions to do well in their efforts to secure a place in the forthcoming first round of the Europa League, the draws for which are to be made tomorrow by UEFA in Nyon.
Cruyff is also confident that the team will be doing well again. “Physically the team is not quite there yet, we are not as fit as we should be and while we don’t have a young team there is still plenty of experience in the squad with many players having played international football with Malta,” he said.
The former Dutch international will no doubt be hoping to bring his full experience to bear on tonight’s game.
Meanwhile St Patrick’s coach Jeff Kenna has a selection headache. Several players, among them, Jason Gavin, Darragh Ryan and Glen Fitz are being treated for injuries and John Lester is also struggling with a calf strain.
Moreover, Damien Lynch is suspended and Quigley, Dempsey, Leech and Freimanis are all injured.
Speaking about Valletta, he said he has watched them twice. “They have pace down the flanks and Jordi Cruyff in midfield seems to pull all the strings. Overall they are a pretty good footballing team.”
Live on Melita
Valletta’s clash with St.Patrick’s is being screened live this evening on Melita Sports.