National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil are expecting a tough match against Scandinavian opponents Norway this evening at the Ta’ Qali national stadium (kick-off 7pm).
This friendly is being played in preparation for next month’s away match against Croatia in Zagreb.
But the two coaches cannot play their best formation as some of the players are injured or not yet 100 per cent fit.
Among those missing today’s clash are Michael Mifsud and Luke Dimech who have remained abroad, while Birkirkara’s Michael Galea has also withdrawn through injury. Other players who are injured or not yet fully fit are Antoine Zahra, Ian Ciantar, and Orosco Anonam, the recent addition to the squad from Sliema after he obtained his Maltese nationality.
The match will be a sort of testimonial for former team captain David Carabott, who is now on the books of Gozitan side Ghajnsielem.
David has earned a record number of 122 national team caps since making his debut on November 15, 1987 in a European Championship qualifier against Switzerland.
The two coaches will be adopting the same system used in the last matches against Iceland, Bulgaria and Hungary where they had five men in defence.
Today’s match will have Marsaxlokk’s Jamie Pace making his full debut for Malta. He is expected to be given a midfield role, although, if needed, he may also be asked to push forward to help Ivan Woods up front.
At the start, David Carabott and Ian Azzopardi will be on the flanks while Brian Said, Jeffrey Chetcuti and Steve Wellman will be in the heart of the defence.
In midfield, there will be George Mallia, Jamie Pace, Gilbert Agius and Andrew Cohen, while Ivan Woods will be the striker, who will be aided by any one of the midfielders.
In fact, all the midfielders are known for their attacking exploits as is Ivan Woods, who can also play as a midfielder.
Of course, the absence of Luke Dimech, at the back, and Michael Mifsud, up front, will have a telling effect, especially that of Mifsud, who plays his football in Norway with Lillestrom and could have been a great asset to the side had he been available. But he was ruled out as he only returned to full fitness the past week after a long-term injury.
In announcing the formation, Heese said today’s match would be a very good test for the local side. “We do not have the best team available, but it will give a chance to those normally on the substitutes’ bench to prove themselves,” he said.
He added that Norway are here with their best formation. “They are perhaps not of a high technical level, but they are all well built, they are hard and play strong, physical football.
“In the circumstances, we will be trying to do our best with the players at our disposal,” said the German coach.
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Saviour Darmanin (Birkirkara), Justin Haber (Birkirkara).
Defenders: Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), David Carabott (Ghajnsielem), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema), Adrian Pulis (Hibernians), Brian Said (Sliema), Steve Wellman (Floriana).
Midfielders: Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Stefan Giglio (Sliema), Massimo Grima (Valletta), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Kevin Sammut (Msida), Peter Pullicino (Hibernians), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
Strikers: Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk).
The game will be controlled by N. Ireland FIFA referee David Malcolm. His assistants will be Ingmar Spiteri and Konrad Borg. The fourth official is Lorry Sammut.
Norway have been on tour recently and played matches in Kuwait (1-1), Bahrain (1-0 win) and Jordan (0-0).
The squad named for today’s match includes several players who ply their trade in English and European football. Among them are well known players such as John Arne Riise of Liverpool fame, Morten Pedersen of Blackburn Rovers, Claus Lundekvam of Southampton, Andre Bergdolmo of Borussia Dortmund, El Gakiri of Monaco, Azar Karadas of Benfica and Sigurd Rushfeldt of Austria Wien.
Norway coach Age Hareide will be selecting his team from the following squad:
Espen Johnsen (Rosenborg BK), Knut Borch (Tromso IL), Trond Andersen (Aalborg BK - Denmark), Andre Bergdomo (BV Borussia Dortmund - Germany), John Carew (Besiktas JK - Turkey), Hassan El Fakiri (Monaco FC - France), Erik Hagen (FC Zenit St. Petersburg - Russia), Thorstein Helstad (Rosenborg BK), Magne Hoset (FK Kobenhavn - Denmark), Steffen Iversen (Valerenga IF), Azar Karadas (SL Benfica - Portugal), Frode Kippe (Lillestrom SK), Raymond Kvisvik (SK Brann), Tommy Svindal Larsen (1. FC Nurnberg - Germany), Claus Lundekvam (Southampton FC), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC - England), John Arne Riise (Liverpool FC - England), Petter Rudi (Molde FK), Sigurd Rushfeldt (FK Austria Wien - Austria) and Stale Stensaas (Rosenborg BK).