Hibernians and Birkirkara, the two teams contesting tomorrow’s Premier League decider at Ta’ Qali, are both aiming to finish the season with a title win after what they consider a successful season.

The two teams finished the league campaign with the same number of points in the Championship Pool – 45. That is why it has become necessary to stage tomorrow’s decider.

The only two times when such contests were staged to determine the Malta champions, were in season 1970-71 and 1971-72. On both occasions it was Sliema who won the title, first beating Marsa and the next year defeating Floriana after extra time.

Addressing a news conference yesterday morning at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, the two coaches, Michael Woods of Hibernians and Paul Zammit of Birkirkara, appeared confident that their boys would emerge winners on the day, even if they conceded that it will be a balanced affair between the two most consistent sides in the Premier League this season.

Woods said his job was made difficult at the start of the season because he had continuity in mind – the previous season had finished with Hibernians as runners-up and Trophy winners.

He added: “Moreover, seven players left the club and four others joined us, even if some of them did not fit in properly into our schemes. Still we remained a competitive side and the January signings of Dos Santos and Obinna Obiefule continued to strengthen our line-up, even if both carried an injury and had to wait till March before resuming their full activity.

“Despite everything, I am very satisfied with my squad. We also had some nursery players included and there were seven to eight players making appearances in the senior string this season.

“I certainly consider this as a most successful season with the most number of wins and with the most number of goals scored. We hope to end it by winning the title, although we also still have a chance to lift the FA Trophy as well.”

On his part, Birkirkara coach Zammit said it was also a continuation story for Birkirkara FC. “Last year was the first of a planned programme when we set our targets. Having reached thus far this season, one has to turn back and see what we went through to get here. It is a fact that we had already showed our strength in the first two rounds, but three draws in December slowed down our consistency levels. “However, we remained calm and went on from strength to strength in the Championship Pool where, after an opening match defeat, we went on to win seven and drew just once, in the remaining eight matches.

“After that controversial draw with Hibs (1-1) in the second round, we knew that we would still have to win the title on the pitch. And till today, that is what we have been doing. We just hope that we will be rewarded for our efforts,” he said.

The two captains also had their say during the news conference.

Veteran goalkeeper Mario Muscat of Hibernians said his side had also shown consistency throughout the past two seasons. He said: “Having finished last year as league runners up and FA Trophy winners, now claiming a place in the Championship decider and still in with a chance to win this year’s Trophy, confirms our strength in depth. We have had two high-level seasons during which we have challenged for all the top honours.

“After a patch of some inconsistency, we came back to our best form with the introduction in the side of Dos Santos and Obiefule. In the last seven matches, we have won six and drew only once – against Birkirkara. We might have been lucky in that match, but we did not deserve to lose after dominating it from start to finish.”

He also said that Hibernians and Birkirkara have been the two most consistent sides this season. “We both have offered a spectacle of football. May the best team on Saturday win,” he added.

Gareth Sciberras, Birkirkara’s international midfielder, reminded Muscat that Birkirkara had played in 10 men for most of the match in that 1-1 draw a few weeks ago.

Then he went on to say that the Stripes players were totally focused on tomorrow’s match. “We hope to be rewarded for our efforts throughout the whole season. I should be a very interesting match which, I think, will be fought tactically, physically and according to the talents on the pitch.

“Hibs claim they have the better talents, but we also have our own individually talented players, apart from being strong collectively and in team spirit – we help each other especially in tough times,” he remarked.

Sciberras said he also hoped it would be a nice match and also augured that the best team on the day wins.

Asked how they worked throughout the past few days, Woods said they had focused on the clash since the start of the week. He added: “I think it is a match in which both teams had an equal chance of winning. Both teams are strong. After all it’s like a final.”

Zammit said that nothing had changes from the previous weeks. “We have continued working and preparing as we did for the other matches. We want to win,” he said.

Both teams will have a few players missing. The Stripes have left flank player Joe Zerafa ruled out through suspension, while Hibernians have three players on the injured list – striker Marcelo Dias, defender Ryan Camilleri and striker Jean Paul Farrugia.

Woods confirmed that for Dias, it will be difficult to have him back in the squad in time for tomorrow’s match, but they had high hopes that Camilleri and Farrugia will be fit to be included.

Asked whether he would consider retiring at the end of the season, veteran goalie Muscat said he still had two years of his contract to run with Hibernians. “So far, I feel highly motivated to continue playing. It is only when I feel I have nothing to offer to the club that I will decide to hang up my boots. But I will certainly be taking that decision in the interest of the club,” he said.

He was also given some advice in this regard by Stripes coach Paul Zammit, who told him: “One has to admire you. Keep it up. I advise you to keep playing and giving an example to the youngsters.”

Also present for yesterday’s conference was national coach Pietro Ghedin.

He complimented both sides for reaching such a stage after such a difficult and long championship.

He added: “I am sure it will be a great decider with some nice football, fair play, respect from both sides and an unusual ‘derby’ atmosphere from the part of the fans.”

MFA PRO Mark Attard confirmed that all tickets for the Enclosure seats have been sold out by both teams. Attard confirmed, however, that tickets for the Millennium Stand, the North and South stands, might still be available tomorrow, even before kick-off.

The match at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, kicks off at 6pm.