Newly crowned champions Valletta, having won the title unbeaten and in such convincing style, have now turned their eyes on winning the FA Trophy – the second major competition in local football – to make it a memorable season.

The two semi-finals of the competition are being played this weekend. Today Valletta will be facing Tarxien Rainbows in the first match, while the second is being played tomorrow when Floriana meet Birkirkara.

Valletta are considered to be overwhelming favourites to beat the Rainbows today, but tomorrow’s match should be balanced and keenly fought between two teams who will be eager to earn a berth in the final, even if they are already assured of their place in the Europa League next season.

Although starting as hot favourites, Valletta will have to be on the alert this afternoon as Tarxien were boosted by their performance and a 2-2 draw against the champions last weekend, in the last match of the Premier League.

On that day, Tarxien got as much as they received from the Citizens and Noel Coleiro’s side certainly has all the ingredients required to offer a stiff challenge, especially at this stage of the competition.

The side is blessed with some very good players, especially their foreigners. In fact, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Sergio Pacheco de Oliveira, Cristiano dos Santos Rodrigues and Ricardo Costa are considered by many to be the best imported by a local club the past season.

Their performances in the League have been somewhat impressive, though not always consistent, but they have made great strides forward in the past two season, where from a relatively small club, they have emerged as a top six side in local football.

Having made history by playing in the Championship Pool in the past two seasons, Tarxien are now eyeing another first – a place in the final of the FA Trophy.

On the other hand, Jesmond Zerafa’s boys are more than confident of being able to reach their 25th final. The citizens have won the competition on 12 occasions and have been losing finalists in 12 others.

Despite last week’s 2-2 draw, as already indicated above, I feel that Valletta remain firm favourites to beat Tarxien and reach next week’s final.

The citizens are replete with the best local talent and in former Tarxien midfielder/striker Denni Dos Santos, they have probably the best foreign player at present in Malta.

Tomorrow’s match between Floriana and Birkirkara should be a very keen contest. Last week Floriana easily defeated the Stripes 3-0 in the final league match, but on that occasion, one must say that the Stripes were again not at full strength and had also been assured of their place in the Europa League.

Now things will be completely different as both are eyeing not just a place in the final, but also an eventual Trophy win to finish the season on a successful note.

They are both aware it will not be easy especially if they will have to face rivals Valletta in the final. But one expects both of them to go all out tomorrow to earn the right to play in the final.