In rainy and windy conditions, Malta's national football team this morning started its full training programme ahead of the forthcoming friendly international match against Luxembourg on Thursday at 8pm at the National Stadium.
Four days later Malta will meet Finland in another friendly international, this time in Turkey.
With the Malta squad looking sharp and jovial, national head coach Tom Saintfiet conducted the morning session with his usual vigour ahead of the clash with the Luxembourgers.All eyes were on "new boy" Mitchell Mallia who plays for Australian club Blacktown City, one of the leading in the NSW Premier League.
Mallia's opportunity to represent Malta at international senior level still depends very much on whether the Malta FA gets the necessary clearance in time from FIFA. Mallia has already represented Australia at Under-17 and Under-23 levels. Mitchell looked very sharp and raring to go during this morning's session.
Back in the fold was "veteran" experienced Roderick Briffa of Gzira United who has been having another positive season with his club.Many local football followers look at new coach Saintfiet as the man who can lead Malta to more pleasing results. Sainfiet has always made it quite clear that he wants to see a more progressive Malta.
We will all have a much clearer picture of this after these two friendly internationals.