On Sunday the Malta National team will take on Slovakia in their fifth FIFA World Cup European Qualifier.  Malta still have to gain their first points in Group F, having lost both home matches 1-5 and 0-1 respectively to Scotland and Slovenia.  Two 2-0 losses away from home to England and Lithuania mean that Malta need to get something out of next Sunday's clash against Marek Hamsik and Co.  Slovakia are currently place third with 6 points in the group.

Notable absentees through suspension and injuries have added to Ghedin's headache of getting something out of this match.  Central defenders Andrei Agius and Jonathan Caruana are both out through suspensions.  Young Floriana defender Jurgen Pisani sustained an injury during training this week and is not avalable, whilst Valletta's Rowen Muscat did not make it in time following a muscle injury sustained whilst playing for Valletta.

Defender Steve Borg and veteran midfielder Roderick Briffa, back in action after a lengthy speall through injury,  both of Valletta, have not been considered by Ghedin for this match.

Three players from the innovative Malta B squad, defender Cain Attard of Birkirkara, Hibernians midfielder Johann Bezzina and St. Andrews defender Michael Johnson were called up to taste training within the senior side.  Attard eventually was confirmed by Ghedin in his final squad to face Slovakia.

 

Ahead of this important match, the Malta Independent Sports Team met with former Barnet FC and Malta international winger Luke Gambin who since his last outing for his country, has joined fellow Sky Bet League Two rivals Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.  "The game against Slovakia is going to be a big test and we are all aware that they are a strong team.  Enjoying a good training camp with the boys so we feel fully prepared and hopefully we get a positive result!  We take each game as it comes."  were Gambin's comments.

The 23-year-old left sided player penned a two-and-a-half year contract which will keep him with the Hatters until the end of the 2018-19 season, with the club having an option to extend the deal to a further year.

Gambin also spoke about his move to Luton Town in January of this year "Of course it is a new challenge.  The size of the club,the fans, the manager and the quality all made the decision an easy one.  I am very happy"

Born in Sutton, London, of Maltese descent, Gambin joined the Malta squad for a training camp in June 2015.  After getting the nod from head coach Pietro Ghedin, his application for Maltese citizenship was successful and he was called up to form part of Ghedin Malta squad in May 2016.  Since then he has made 6 appearances for Malta making his full international debut last May.  

At the end of yesterday's training session Ghedin announched his final selection of 20 players.

 

MALTA FINAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg (Hibernians); Henry Bonello (Birkirkara).
Defenders: Jacob Borg, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (both Gżira United); Zach Muscat (Arezzo); Sam Magri (Dover Athletic); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Joseph Zerafa, Cain Attard (both Birkirkara).
Midfielders: Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara); Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians); Steve Pisani (Floriana); Luke Gambin (Luton Town); Paul Fenech, Ryan Fenech (both Balzan); Mark Scerri (Sliema Wanderers).

Forwards: Michael Mifsud (Valletta); Andrè Schembri (Boavista); Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers); Luke Montebello (Valletta). 

---

Photos: Domenic Aquilina/The Malta Independent