Belgian Tom Saintfiet will, for the first time, officially head Malta into tomorrow afternoon's friendly international match against Estonia at the National Stadium, Ta'Qali (kick-off time 3pm).

Local football followers have the reason to expect a quick turn to Malta's recent delusions in international football.

Pietro Ghedin's arrival in 2012 brought a glimmer of hope that Malta could improve upon results and ranking but this proved futile. Malta now looks forward to a new era under the Belgian coach.

The UEFA pro-qualified coach brings with him a wealth of experience in international football, mostly as head coach of several countries, mostly in Africa and Asia. 

The Malta Independent caught up with Saintfiet after one of the Malta training sessions ahead of the match against the Estonians.  

"I am pleased that we will be meeting Estonia, a strong opponent, 80th in the FIFA ranking. We cannot underestimate Estonia, who are stronger than us, and lately achieved good results. It is also the first match for me as Malta coach and there will be changes, mostly tactical.  This is a game for us to prepare for next year.  Surely I would love to get a good result but more important than a good result would be a good performance."

 

Offensive football

"My idea is that of playing more offensive football, to make the public enjoy what they are seeing.  At the same time we have to be creative without exposing ourselves too much against a strong opposition such as Estonia.  We need to create chances and we need to start scoring goals."

"After the match we need to gauge ourselves how far we are in our process.  We have only started together this week in preparation for this match.  Still a long way to go, but I believe that with the quality we have, if we make the right steps forward we will have a good performance against Estonia and more important we will start a new step in our future for next year"

Saintfiet confirmed that against Estonia, he will be starting with a

4-2-3-1 tactical module.

"Almost four players will start up front so more chances of creating scoring opportunities. We have trained all week on an offensive plan; we trained on how we can create chances against this Estonia so we want to play offensive football. We have to defend also but when we have the ball, there is a concept how we can link the final stage into good scoring chances. I have no doubt that if we create chances we will then need a bit of luck to score goals"

 

UEFA Nations League 

The 44-year-old Belgian coach also spoke about the forthcoming new competition launched by UEFA, the UEFA Nations League. In a nutshell the format of this league will feature promotion and relegation for the 55 European national teams who have been divided into four leagues in accordance with UEFA's national association coefficient rankings on 11 October this year.

"Yeah it is a total different idea of playing football. In recent matches, Malta played with the idea not to lose against bigger football nations like England, Scotland, Slovakia, etc. where you are scared to lose.  

"This time we will be playing against smaller nations but this is also risky because playing against smaller nations doesn't mean always that it is easier. More pressure on the players and the expectations of the public will be even bigger.

"The way of playing will be totally different, so we have to have a learning process. I think it is important for us to play friendlies against similar teams like those we will be playing in this League and then we will see which players are suitable in the concept to play against smaller nations.  

"But with all due respect there are no small football nations in Europe and even against Kosovo or against Armenia it will be a difficult task. It is important that in this Nations League we must start with the intention to win,"  concluded the new Malta coach.

Balzan midfielder Ryan Fenech, back to his old form also spoke to TMI about this new Malta era under the helm of the new Belgian coach.

He said: "The new coach made it quite clear from day one what his intentions really are and everyone is ready to work and give his utmost as we always do.  He is very professional and a person who clearly knows what he is doing."

 

Squad

The new Malta coach's first squad selection includes the return of Valletta midfielder Rowen Muscat after a lengthy spell out through injury. 

Birkirkara's Ryan Scicluna also makes a return after being recently omitted from the squad by Ghedin. 

Young Kyrian Nwoko and Jurgen Degabriele, have both been promoted from the Under-21 to the senior squad.

He has also ringed a couple of changes and new faces in his initial squad, notably Triston Caruana of Hamrun Spartans and Gozo's Stefan Cassar from Nadur Youngsters who has also caught the eye of the new coach and is included in the Malta squad for the first time.

Malta's Footballer of the Year Bjorn Kristensen does not figure in the new coach's squad selection this time round, in what the coach himself described as "tactical" reasons.

 

Malta squad:

GOALKEEPERS

Henry Bonello (Valletta); Andrew Hogg (Hibernians); Steve Sultana (Ħamrun Spartans).

DEFENDERS

Andrei Agius (Hibernians); Cain Attard (Birkirkara); Steve Borg (Valletta); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Clayton Failla (Hibernians); Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Gżira United); Zach Muscat (US Arezzo); Joseph Zerafa (Valletta).

MIDFIELDERS:  Triston Caruana (Ħamrun Spartans); Stefan Cassar (Nadur Youngsters); Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians); Ryan Fenech (Balzan); Paul Fenech (Balzan); Luke Gambin (Luton Town); Rowen Muscat (Valletta); Steve Pisani (Floriana); Andrè Schembri (Apollon Limassol); Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).

FORWARDS

Alfred Effiong (Balzan); Jean Paul Farrugia (FC Chiasso); Michael Mifsud (Valletta); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).