National coach Dusan Fitzel admitted yesterday that Saturday’s match against Turkey will be another ‘very difficult’ clash.
The boss from the Czech Republic said he was very aware of the task facing his boys. “I always want to win, but I am also aware it will be a hard task. Our group is very tight at the top and there are three to four teams who can still qualify for the finals. Turkey are one of them and after winning just one point from their last two matches, I am sure they will be coming over with just one thing in their minds – victory.
“I did not have a lot of time to prepare the players, since the summer break. But I am pleased with the work done at the Slovakia training camp. Even the Albania match, where we had a bad result, proved to be useful for our preparations,” he said.
Fitzel said that Gareth Sciberras is definitely out of this match as he is suffering from hamstring trouble while striker Ivan Woods is back. “Gilbert Agius, Roderick Briffa and Justin Haber also have received slight knocks, but should be declared fit to play on Saturday,” he added.
Fitzel is awaiting the arrival of the other players from abroad – Luke Dimech and Michael Mifsud from England and Andre Schembri from Germany – before assessing all the players and deciding on the final squad of 18 players for Saturday’s clash.
The coach also said that Daniel Bogdanovic does no longer form part of the squad. “I do not know where he is at present. For me he does not exist. I have tried my best to get him back, but he did not respond to the call,” said the coach.
Fitzel also said that for this match, there were no players suspended but there are a few who are booked. “They have to pay attention as we need all our players in the squad for the remaining matches if we are to continue fighting to avoid the last place in the Group,” he said.
Asked about the availability of former Hibs striker Udo Nwoko, now playing in Portugal with Leixoes, Fitzel said first it had to be determined whether he was eligible to play for Malta. “He has played once for the Nigerian Under 23 side. If Nigeria release him, it will then depend on FIFA. The world body will have to produce its stamp of approval,” he said.
Fitzel and Mark Miller, the Under 21 coach, were not happy at all with the form shown by some of the players in the League matches played so far. “It is obvious not all players are in tip top condition especially at this time of the year. However, their current form does not compare favourably with the levels expected from us. We expect much better from them,” said Miller.