MFA president Dr Joseph Mifsud yesterday gave details of what he described as a month of commitments for three of its national teams.
Addressing a midday news conference, he said that the national team will be involved in the forthcoming international tournament as well as the friendlies against Liechtenstein in March at Ta’ Qali and that against Austria in Vienna in May. The Under 21 side is to face Wales early next month at the Hibs Ground, while the Futsal team will also be involved in a UEFA mini tournament next month at the Corradino Pavilion.
Armenia, Iceland and Belarus will be Malta’s opponents in the forthcoming football tournament, which is to be sponsored by Vodafone and Coca Cola.
Dr Mifsud said this tournament will prove to be useful for the national team as national coach Dusan Fitzel prepares the national side for the forthcoming 2010 World Cup Group One qualifiers, the first of which will be against mighty Portugal next September.
The MFA president said the MFA had decided on special prices of admission for this tournament with Stadium patrons getting discounted prices if they were to buy their tickets from Vodafone outlets.
Vodafone, as well as Coca Cola, are the main sponsors and, as such, are offering football lovers the chance to buy three-day or one-day tickets at discounted prices, only if these were to be bought at the Vodafone outlets. Coca Cola are offering clients the chance to fill in the blanks in a wrapper accompanying the bottles and pay less for the tickets at any Vodafone outlet on presenting this wrapper.
The programmes
The programme of the matches for the international tournament is the following:
2 February: 3pm Belarus-Iceland; 5.15pm Malta-Armenia
4 February: 5.30pm Belarus-Armenia; 7.45pm Malta-Iceland
6 February: 5.30pm Iceland-Armenia; 7.45pm Malta-Belarus
Futsal tournament
programme
28 February: Slovenia-Albania; Malta-Greece
29 February: Malta-Albania-Greece-Slovenia
2 March: Allbania-Greece-Slovenia-Malta
Dr Mifsud also spoke about the association’s campaign against racism adding that although there were only some minor incidents locally, it was important to continue sending the message to the crowd while insisting on the harsh penalties which face the clubs whose supporters indulge in such insults.
Two video clips have been submitted for use by the local TV stations. They will also be screened repeatedly on the association’s Smash TV programme MFA magazine.
Dusan Fitzel
The national coach said he was glad to be seeing his squad of 28 players involved in three matches over six days. “The last time it was even better as we played only two matches in the same number of days. However, this time, I am in a better position to know my players while two years ago I had only just started my mission here.”
Speaking about his players’ form, Fitzel said he always said playing at international level was by far different from playing in the local league. “However, there have been some who have been impressive, others were acceptable, but I must also say that from some others I did expect a lot more.”
He added that ‘foreign’ players Michael Mifsud, Udo Nwoko, Luke Dimech and Justin Haber may only be made use of in the last match as they will be arriving here on 4 February because of their commitments with their clubs. “I just hope there are no injuries to my players as I intend making use of all of them. And also because next weekend, I will have 14 players from my squad who will be in action with their clubs in the domestic league competition. It is evident I cannot make use of their services, especially in the opening match.
There are two newcomers in Fitzels’ squad, that is, Birkirkara’s Shaun Bajada and Hamrun’s Ryan Fenech.
Mark Miller
The national Under 21 coach said he and his squad were looking forward towards another prestigious performance against Wales on 5 February at the Hibs Stadium. “After we defeated Bosnia, a certain amount of enthusiasm is reigning among my squad members. We are aware that Wales will be a stronger proposition. They also have a chance to win the Group, especially if they conquer the three points here.
“They have a strong squad which includes some Premier League players as well. That makes it even more difficult for my boys. But having already seen them in action in the first match, then I must say I believe we can achieve a positive result here,” he said.
Asked what is the motivation for his young players, Miller quickly replied that the possible six-point target in the standings is their main objective. That makes my boys look forward towards repeating the success against Bosnia,” he said.
Michael Stritz
The national Futsal coach also spoke about his team’s forthcoming commitments in the UEFA mini tournament at the Hibs Pavilion late next month.
He said: “It is another tough test for my team which only came into existence two years ago. Against Greece and Slovenia we certainly stand no chance – they both form part of the top level – but I am pinning my hopes on a positive result against Albania, more or less on the same levels as ours. I hope to see an improved performance from my players,” he added.
Brian Said
The national team vice-captain also addressed the press saying that the national squad was eager to be playing again at international level. “We all have to justify our presence in the squad and the coach will certainly be taking a good look at our potential. We hope to get some positive results in these home matches,” he said.