by Birkirkara and Mtarfa will meet to initiate the final matchday of the first round in the league at the Centenary Stadium, at 20:15. Birkirkara’s Vince Galea hinted at changes but is demanding a positive showing to finish off the round, while Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo is encouraging his side to continue to embrace the underdog status in search of better performances.
Past Performances
Birkirkara will go into the match on the back of a solid 3 – 0 victory against Valletta, that allowed them to maintain the gap to Hibernians to just three points ahead of the final match of the first round.
Asked whether he was pleased with the team’s reaction following the defeat to the Paolites, Birkirkara’s coach Vince Galea replied, “In some way yes, we had a good reaction from the previous game and controlled the game for the majority of it. Still, we need to refine our work in the offensive area, but job done.”
The Stripes won the match courtesy of an Erica Bispo opener, before Raina Giusti chalked up a brace to give the team a comfortable scoreline in the end. Once again, Galea was also keen on maximising his substitutions in the match.
The Birkirkara coach was also questioned about the team’s progress in understanding his philosophy and consolidating in approach, while getting the entire squad involved in matches. Galea replied, “The season is long and we need all the squad ready to play in any time of the game and in any game. We are happy with the progress some of the players are showing.”
On the other hand, Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo heaped praise on the quality shown by Swieqi United, who dealt his team a 9 – 0 defeat. He said, “Swieqi is a very good team and l have the sporting honesty to admit it. l admire the value of some teams in this league.”
However, the Italian rejected that emotions were at the caused the team to concede two penalties in the match, “It’s not frustration, it’s that others travel at higher speeds.”
Meanwhile, the team also played the match against the Owls with Maria Abdilla in goal, with captain Dorienne Grech sidelined. Papaleo evaded elaborating on the captain’s condition, but acknowledged the effort by the stand-in goalkeeper. He said, “Maria Abdilla did a good job. She committed and did what she could.”
Match Expectations
Mtarfa’s struggle to get points puts the odds firmly with the defending champions once more. Asked whether one should expect changes in the line-up, Galea hinted positively despite sharply marking the importance of a win.
He said, “We will face this game with the same importance of the others. Every game gives you three points and we will aim to get them by having a good performance. We have some young players ready to come in and get more experience.”
Meanwhile, Gaetano Papaleo was humble in his assessment of the upcoming task, but continues to back his team in searching for better performances despite the David & Goliath encounter.
He said, “We all know that Birkirkara has been winning for many years. l don’t have to say that they start as favourites. As l always tell my girls, we start as underdogs, but we must always try to do our best. The level is not equal.”
The two sides will take to the pitch at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15 tonight.
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