Four days after facing each other in a clash from the BOV Premier League which condemned Giovanni Tedesco’s side to playing in the Challenge League next season, Santa Lucia and Valletta cross swords in the first semi-final of the Izibet FA Trophy at the National Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off at 19:30.
The Citizens start as firm favourites to secure a place in the final, having beaten Santa Lucia twice this season – 5-3 and 2-1 with the second the second round clash ending 2-1 for Santa Lucia but Tedesco hopes that after the back-to-back defeats to Sliema and Valletta cost them their place in the top division, he would be able to lift the morale of his players and obtain a historic achievement for the club.
Santa Lucia defeated fellow Premier League side Sirens 4-1, Challenge League side St. Andrews 2-1 and another Premier League side Gzira United 1-0 after extra-time. Valletta, on the other hand, beat National Amateur League side Marsaskala 5-0 in the Round of 32 and Challenge League sides Tarxien Rainbows 5-1 in the Round of 16 and Marsaxlokk 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile the other semi-final between Floriana and Hibernians will be played at the National Stadium on Wednesday, kick-off at 19:30. The final is scheduled for Sunday 15, kick-off at 17:00.