Preview: Day 23 Valletta vs Tarxien R. Published on: 03-04-2011
Preview Day 23 Valletta vs Tarxien R.
Before the last match of the first round of the Championship Pool, Valletta FC.net met team Manager Jesmond Zammit.‘Here we come again.....our next opponents being Tarxien Rainbows in the last match of the first round of the Promotion Pool. Six games to go with a nine point lead is not bad at all in the circumstances. A victory tomorrow would mean that we are almost there, also considering that more points could be lost in the other encounter of the day seeing Champions Birkirkara and Floriana battling their guts out for maximum points which would help them secure a place in Europe. Not because we need or would like to aspire for loss of points, but this is the reality of the trade, and hence the importance to retain our consistency and avoid dropping precious points, which would help us to continue playing without unnecessary pressure meantime focusing also on the third and final objective.... the FA Trophy. That would make this season even nicer and complete the show with the third and final major honour, not to mention the first edition of the Mareblu Cup which was secured right after the Super Cup, in the initial part of this season. Wouldn't that be an achievement?? Wouldn't that really make up for time that all of us had to wait for? The guys are totally focused. The objectives are very clear.......... nothing less than 100 pct. We are all determined to make this ....A YEAR TO REMEMBER’.
‘Tarxien Rainbows, fresh from their victory against Vittoriosa which has seen them through with the last four teams in the run for the FA Trophy will treat this match with great importance, knowing that they are in desperate need for points in an attempt to launch a challenge for the second place. Their major strength seems to be their string of foreigners who put together, are giving the team the necessary flair especially on the offensive side. Tarxien should have all their players at their disposal, apart from central defender Lee Galea, who is expected to be replaced by Ryan Mintoff. As always Tarxien are expected to offer a very difficult ninety minutes, knowing that they will be absolutely held as outsiders against Valletta. They will definitely try all their possibilities in an attempt to secure their first point/s against Valletta after having lost both previous encounters on 5 - 2 and 2 - 0 respectively. Coach Noel Coleiro, will probably, once more adopt an offensive approach to the game knowing that most of the strength of his team lies in midfield and attack’. ‘On the other side Valletta will have to do without Denni Rocha dos Santos who received a red card against Floriana, whilst Ian Zammit remains doubtful after suffering a muscular injury in the Gozo Cup. The return on Jonathan Caruana however is a certainty, as the latter has trained regularly with his team mates these last dates. Valletta will have to be cautious about this match, whilst not being extra confident knowing that the 2 stars on their emblem would come a step closer at the end of the ninety minutes. The players know that the fans are so eager to heave the Championship Trophy, but we are constantly reminding them that the points will have to won on the pitch and to do this we need to ensure maximum concentration’.
‘My last word of thanks goes to our beloved supporters. Nothing is nicer that seeing our colourful stand on a day like tomorrow. Our main objective is to make you happy because you all deserve it so much. Once again, please make sure to avoid hefty fines in a moment when funds are absolutely as vital and important for the Club, as water is in our daily life. See you there tomorrow.... the magic moment is so close, but feet on the ground please. We shall have enough time to celebrate so soon enough’.
