Preview: Day 19 Valletta vs Hamrun S. Published on: 19-02-2011
Preview Day 19 Valletta vs Hamrun S.
Valletta met Hamrun S. tomorrow kick off 16:00hrs, team manager Jesmond Zammit gave us these comments. 'Here we go....... points halved and off we go for the initial part of the final sprint. Ten games to go with only 7 points lead out of the actual 15 that we had managed to build in our first 18 matches of the season. Unlucky, in a way to land on an even number - 44 ( 45 points would have meant 8 points advantage ), we are aware that 7 points ahead is a significant advantage , which however needs to be consolidated and improved upon as soon as possible in order to show all the other teams that we actually mean business and that we are determined that the title will not slip from our hands this time. A victory at this initial stage is of paramount importance as it could stretch further our advantage, meantime indicating to all the other teams that a realistic goal would be to fight between themselves for a second place, and hence a guaranteed place in Europe. A victory tomorrow would help to release our lads from further pressure hence enabling us to play more at ease and utterly showing the real worth and potential strength of our squad'.
'Confident of having held the leaders to a 1 - 1 draw only two weeks ago, and further boosted by their last win against Vittoriosa, Hamrun will face this match knowing that they would need points in order to stand a chance of possibly challenging the other teams for a place in Europe. Prolific scorer Gaetan Spiteri will miss this encounter through suspension whilst other forwards Marcelo Pereira and Daniel Kokavessis are also both doubtful for different reasons. Massimo Grima and Dene Shields, who were both missing against Vittoriosa should now be both back in the starting line up. Hamrun will offer strong opposition tomorrow, but come what may, we are determined to make do........ and we have to make sure that we do not leave Ta' Qali with anything less than 3 points by 1800 hrs'.'On the other hand, back from the training camp in Gozo, our boys will face this encounter in our usual determined manner.......determined and concentrated yet never too open or disrespectful........ a strategy which, all for the merit of coach Zerafa, has yielded great success seeing the team still unbeaten after a streak of 18 league matches. Denni Rocha dos Santos will miss this game after receiving the fourth yellow card against Hamrun whilst Jamie Pace will also be left out of the eighteen hence given the recommended time to recover from his injury. All other players are available for selection , and that includes International midfielder Ryan Fenech who had missed our last match against eternal rivals Floriana'.
'As I see it there's no looking back, and we have to make hay whilst the sun shines. The three points are a vital requisite in tomorrow's match. Our boys are aware of this. Any hesitations could mean unnecessary risks. There is only one item on tomorrow's agenda for this encounter.....................
