 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Towards the Final Sprintby Jonathan Spiteri23/02/2010 Now that the farce - having points halved and the ten teams split into top six and bottom four (where a team in the Relegation Pool cannot finish higher than 7th on the table, even when obtaining more points than any team from the Championship Pool, in less matches) - is complete, each game becomes a six-pointer. There is no margin of error, and every point dropped could prove fatal. This season the teams were already close enough without the distances being reduced, and competition for top positions will be as harsh as ever as practically all teams are in a position of obtaining a top three position, which could mean European football next year (depending on who wins the F.A. Trophy). In my opinion, this season and the one before have proven that the current format has become obsolete, and that we should revert back to the three rounds. 
During these first two rounds there were a number of surprises, both positive and negative ones. Analysing the teams one by one in ascending order, bottom team Dingli Swallows only started to show their inferiority in the second half of the second round. Till then, they have offered gallant opposition to everyone, and the points obtained could have easily been similar to those won by Msida. They seem doomed to play First Division football again next season, but can still be a tough opposition for the other three teams competing to avoid the drop. One of these teams is the already mentioned Msida St. Joseph. Their last defeat against Floriana must have given them a severe blow, but mathematically speaking, they can still avoid the drop. They have given a hard time to everyone, especially when playing much more quoted opponents like Sliema Wanderers and Valletta. They have a good fighting spirit, but the lack of quality in their team makes it very difficult for them. Hamrun also had their difficulties initially, but credit to them, as they have managed to win direct encounters which have put them in a steady position for the relegation battle. They were maybe unlucky not to have made it to the Championship Pool, but still they should be satisfied with their season so far. One has to remember that in August they were still planning to play in the First Division. Luck was surely not on Floriana’s side this season. Long term injuries to key players and off the pitch problems characterised their season so far, and destroyed any chance of qualifying for this summer’s Europa League preliminary round, since they were ousted from the F.A. Trophy by Tarxien Rainbows. The Greens had a positive first round, losing only two matches, and looked odds on to secure a top six position. Three defeats in a row at the beginning of the second round hindered their chances though, and were given the killer blow by Sliema in the penultimate game. They are just a couple of wins away from saving themselves, but they need to find the right motivation to play in the Relegation Pool in order to avoid being embroiled in the fight for survival. The first couple of matches in the Relegation Pool could either seal the issue or else throw everything wide open. It seems, though, that Championship Pool issues will go down to the wire! I cannot remember a particular season where teams were so close at the end of the second round. All teams are gathered in seven points, and every encounter can go either way. Tarxien Rainbows have certainly achieved something extraordinary this season, and had they not lost a two-goal lead in their last match against the Spartans, they would have started the Championship Pool in fifth place, a point above bitter rivals Hibernians. Tarxien have no pressure now, and this is showing even in cup competitions where they have qualified for the semi-finals of the Anniversary Cup and the F.A. Trophy’s quarter-finals. They play direct football, and when their Brazilian forwards are red hot, especially the best foreigner in Maltese football, Denni Rocha dos Santos, they are a pleasure to watch. They will make all the top teams sweat for points, and could also end in a top four position, improving on what has been their best season in the club’s history. On the other hand, Hibernians have initially given the impression that they will be amongst the top three, fighting for the major honour, but have failed miserably in the second half of the second round, with three points gained from a possible eighteen! There seems to be a lack of motivation in the Paolites clan, but still they will always be a hard nut to crack for any team. They could still aspire to earn a European berth this season, therefore they will always be in search of precious points. Sliema Wanderers, who start just one point above Hibs, had just opposite fortunes. Their first round was disastrous, to say the least. Being touted as Valletta’s main title challengers in pre-season forecasts it took them fourteen matches and the sacking of their coach to start to gain some momentum. Their new coach seems to have brought new life in the Blues’ ranks. I’m sure that, while European qualification is their minimum target, they will do their utmost to enter the title race. Everything will depend on how they will fare in the next two/three games. 
What about the top three? Will it be a three horse race? Will one of them fall behind? Will Valletta’s strength in depth prove too strong for the two rivals in Yellow? Qormi, who start just two points behind the leading duo, have surely exceeded their expectations. A top-six finish was their main goal, which they have achieved earlier than planned. This made them believe that they are capable of challenging for one of the top positions, and them being active in the January transfer window is a sign that they are an ambitious club, and are ready to pounce on any slip ups. Still, my opinion is that they still have something less than the top pair, and this was evident in the four times they encountered them. Valletta seem the most well equipped side to last in the championship race. They have got virtually two teams which to select from, although they have recently loaned out a couple of valuable players and also have a few injury problems. These though can be easily metabolised thanks to the strong bench they have. I believe that the Whites have only occasionally shown us their full potential, and there were quite a few times that they found the going tough against well organised teams. The ‘title favourites’ tag is still theirs at this point though, and it will take something special to prevent them from being crowned as champions. Our hope is that our team has got that something special. Birkirkara, when not taking into consideration the two direct clashes with the Citizens, have been the most consistent team, obtaining 38 points in the other 16 matches, against the 36 obtained by Valletta. The fact that the Stripes will be commencing the Championship Pool on level points with the title favourites is already a very good achievement, considering the fact that many people thought that we will be struggling even to end the second round in a top six position! Birkirkara are surely playing the best football on the island. This team, made up of few experienced players and a lot of young talent, has shown vast improvements since last season, and this must surely be thanks to our coach Mr Zammit. The players though, are showing great determination whenever they play, and this must make us supporters believe that this team can make it. The most important thing this season is to carry on with the already 13 year long streak of taking part in a European competition. Anything above that would surely be considered as a bonus, but I am sure that, unless the maths says it is all over, the Tigers from the Valley will give the big spenders a good run for their money and maybe, who knows, we might find ourselves celebrating unexpectedly come May! So let us rise to the occasion and give our lads full support for this final sprint towards the end of the season. They have showed us they deserve our passionate support. COME ON YELLOWS!! |