“Players have to adapt to new system” – Ray Farrugia

Domenic Aquilina Thursday, 24 May 2018, 13:00 Last update: about 7 years ago

New Malta coach Ray Farrugia will be looking for no less than more commitment from his players as his first squad selection prepares to leave for a ten-day training camp in Austria, where they will be meeting Armenia and Georgia in two friendly international matches there.

Let's face it - commitment has been lacking big way in recent Malta outings and the new Malta coach, who has come into the role with his usual zest and vigour, will be after this as the main objective.

The Malta Independent spoke with Farrugia ahead of the Malta squad's departure to Austria on Saturday next.

"My technical staff and I have adapted a totally new system. Now it is up to the players to adapt to the new system. Yes, I do expect a big change in both attitude and positivity from my players. We already have been working hard and the response from the squad has been very good. A special mention goes to my amazing technical staff, my assistant Branko Nisevic, Ronald Vella, Luca Pagani and Charles Sciberras - all hard working guys. It is all about hard work!" stated Farrugia

Ghedin's first squad is a mix of both experience and youth.

Joseph Mbong, the Hibernians winger, Birkirkara's Jake Grech and Valletta striker Kyrian Nwoko, all aged 20, have made the jump from the Malta U21 side along with Myles Beerman from Scottish club Glasgow Rangers.

37-year-old Gzira United midfilder Andrew Cohen, who was recently voted MFA Footballer Of the Year for a record fourth time, has been recalled together with club colleague Roderick Briffa.

With Arezzo's Zach Muscat out with a knee injury, Farrugia summoned Daniel Zerafa of Hamrun Spartans and Ferdinando Apap from Gozitan double winners Victoria Hotspurs.

MALTA PROVISIONAL SQUAD

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

Defenders: Andrei Agius (Hibernians); Ferdinando Apap (Victoria Hotspurs); Cain Attard (Birkirkara); Steve Borg (Valletta); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Michael Johnson (Balzan); Jurgen Pisani (Floriana); Daniel Zerafa (Ħamrun Spartans); Joseph Zerafa (Valletta).

Midfielders: Myles Beerman (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Johann Bezzina (Hibernians); Roderick Briffa (Gżira United); Paul Fenech (Balzan); Luke Gambin (Luton Town, England); Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Stephen Pisani (Floriana).

Forwards: Andrew Cohen (Gżira United); Alfred Effiong (Balzan); Jean Paul Farrugia (FC Chiasso, Switzerland); Jake Grech (Birkirkara); Michael Mifsud (Valletta); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta); Andrè Schembri (Apollon Limassol, Cyprus).