National coach Dusan Fitzel has named a squad of 24 players in preparation for the opening Euro 2008 qualifying match against Bosnia-Herzegovina next Saturday.
By tomorrow, the squad will be reduced by four players and these will make the trip to the Coastline Hotel at Salina Bay which will be the team’s headquarters till the day of the match.
The four players will be expected to return to the squad after the match in preparation for Wednesday’s clash against Turkey in Frankfurt, Germany.
Included among the 24 are the young Andrew Hogg, Pieta H. goalkeeper, and Floriana midfielder Christian Cassar, while Dyson Falzon of Valletta has also been confirmed. The latter also joined the squad for the pre-season training camp in the Czech Republic and for the match against Slovakia.
Fitzel said that Cassar deserved his inclusion in the squad after some positive performances. “I do not know yet whether he will be in the squad for the two matches. So far he is among the initial group. By Thursday I will know who will make it to the final list of 20 players. Even if not selected, it is important for such players to get the experience of being in the squad,” he said.
Fitzel said Saturday’s match against Bosnia-Herzegovina will be his first competitive in charge of the Malta team. “So far I have been experimenting. Now we turn to competitive football. I am here to try and improve the quality of play of the national team as well as to see some improved results. I also wish to see the side scoring more goals. My players are ready. We now have to start the war. They have to show some real fighting spirit and I am confident that my players will be able to rise to the occasion,” he said.
Fitzel admitted Malta was in a very tough group. “It is not easy for us especially when playing away from home. But we can offer some decent opposition. Against Turkey in Frankfurt, it will not be nice to play in front of an empty stadium, but it’s better to face Turkey in those circumstances rather than facing them on their home soil in front of their fanatic fans,” he said.
Fitzel said that until Saturday, he will only be thinking of the Bosnia-Herzegovina match. “We cannot think about two matches together. When the first match is over, we will start thinking of the Turkey match. We have to go step by step,” he added.
The 24 players in the squad are the following:
Goalkeepers: Justin Haber (Royal Excelsior Virton, Belgium), Andrew Hogg (Pieta H.), Mario Muscat (Hibernians).
Defenders: Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Ian Ciantar (Sliema), Luke Dimech (Marsaxlokk), Peter Pullicino (Msida SJ), Brian Said (Sliema), Kenneth Scicluna (Birkirkara), Steve Wellman (Marsaxlokk).
Midfielders: Roderick Bajada (Sliema), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Dyson Falzon (Valletta), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Claude Mattocks (Sliema), Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk), Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk), Gareth Sciberras (Marsaxlokk).
Strikers: Gilbert Agius (capt. Valletta), Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom, Norway), Terence Scerri (Hibernians), Andre Schembri (Marsaxlokk), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
The match against Bosnia on Saturday has a 7.15pm kick-off, while the one in Frankfurt against Turkey next Wednesday will start at 8pm.