Valletta FC are on the brink of making history in so far as European club football is concerned. If they manage to eliminate St Patrick’s of Ireland this afternoon, they will become the first Maltese club to have reached the third round of a European club competition.

In actual fact, Valletta are very close to achieving their target. A 1-1 draw in Dublin last week has put them in pole position and they just need a goalless draw this afternoon to advance to the third round of this inaugural Europa League.

It is a very important day for Valletta and Maltese football in general today as a capacity crowd at the Centenary Stadium is expected to give its full support to Ton Caanen’s exciting side which has had a great start to this new season.

The Dutch coach has brought back the confidence and team spirit – lacking last season. But this was also due to the presence in the side of Dutch experienced players Jordi Cruyff and Geert den Ouden. These two players, together with the enterprising Njongo Priso, have lifted the morale of the other players with the result that the citizens are now playing their best football since they had won the title in 2007-2008.

The only flaw is that Priso is not available today as he is suspended having received a second yellow card in the Dublin match. He had received the first one against Keflavik.

Caanen is well aware of the situation and it is obvious that Valletta have to be on the alert to avoid suffering a goal. They have the advantage thanks to Gilbert Agius’s goal in Dublin last week and they have to protect it with all means, if they are to entertain hopes of advancing to the third round.

The Dutch coach who was very pleased with the side’s performance in the Dublin match is keeping his feet to the ground. He knows that his players cannot be over confident this afternoon, but at the same time, he knows that the side is now capable of producing some good football with prospects of improving in future.

He is expected to adopt the same plan as he did in Dublin, playing cautiously in trying to keep the opponents at bay.

However, Valletta have to understand that the tie is still at the half-way stage and it is still open to any result.

St Patrick’s coach Jeff Kenna said in a short comment that he is also confident his side can go through. He also commented that the match is at the half-way stage and though conceding that Valletta were favourites, he believed his players could turn the tide in their favour in the Malta match by scoring the away goal or goals