Preview Day 9: Valletta vs Qormi Published on: 24-10-2015

Qormi FC are pinning their hopes of sidestepping relegation on a young, homegrown coach who donned the club shirt for 15 years after Johann Scicluna signed a three-year contract to replace Jesmond Zerafa.

Scicluna, who began the season as assistant coach, took charge of the team on an interim basis after Zerafa’s resignation last week but his dedication and passion for the club allied with the confirmation that he had successfully completed the UEFA A coaching course prompted the Qormi FC hierarchy to appoint him on a permanent deal.

Scicluna will be assisted by Franco Scicluna, Karl Farrugia and Matthew Psaila while the club are awaiting a reply from coach Jesmond Zammit who has been offered the role of technical advisor.
Going by their current position in the table, Qormi face a tough fight to retain their top-flight status as they are third bottom with four points from eight games.

Their travails were to be expected after the club offloaded a host of established players, including Alfred Effiong, Jonathan Bondin, Leighton Grech and goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia, to ease their financial difficulties but Scicluna is optimistic that Qormi have what it takes to avoid the drop.

Scicluna, who is willing to strengthen his squad in January, is facing a baptism of fire as Qormi coach as his side take on high-flying Valletta this afternoon.

Qormi goalkeeper Andreas Vella is out for another two weeks after suffering an injury in the 2-1 defeat to Hibernians while long-term injury absentee Roderick Sammut is still sidelined.

As for Valletta, coach Paul Zammit is concerned about the fitness of a host of first-team players as striker Jhonnattann is still struggling with a wrist injury while Federico Falcone (ankle), Ryan Camilleri (hamstring), Ian Azzopardi (hamstring) and goalkeeper Henry Bonello (quad) are ranked as doubtful.
Valletta captain Jonathan Caruana is still unavailable as he is still recuperating from a hamstring problem.

Source - Times of Malta