National coach Dusan Fitzel expects a tough clash against Liechtenstein tomorrow at Ta’ Qali, despite that the opponents have their own limitations, similar to those of ours.
Addressing a news conference yesterday, Fitzel said: “It is a clash between two tiny nations. But I expect it to be tough. They are strong, tall and show plenty of fighting spirit. It is a challenge for us, but I also expect to find a way to deal with them.”
Fitzel said he had dropped some players for various reasons from his current squad for this match while Cleaven Frendo and Justin Haber are unavailable, the former through an injury he picked up during last Sunday’s clash against Birkirkara. George Mallia has been recalled to take Frendo’s place. The players dropped are Ian Azzopardi, Roderick Bajada, Mario Muscat, Peter Pullicino, Brian Said, Steve Wellman and Terence Scerri.
Fitzel said he would have preferred to see last Sunday’s matches being played on Saturday as that would have given the majority of his players in the squad an extra one day’s rest before tomorrow’s match.
Fitzel complained that in view of the Easter Holiday period, he did not see much of his players in training. “I only saw them with their clubs and it is evident that their focus at present is on the league which is more important for them,” he added.
MFA president Dr Joseph Mifsud said this was the first of three friendly matches being played before the start of the World Cup qualifying Group in September. “The next will be against Euro 2008 finalists Austria. Then we face Estonia in Tallinn on 20 August,” he said.
Dr Mifsud added that Liechtenstein will certainly be a good test for Malta. He added: “They have players who play in some European Leagues and this will make it difficult for us, even if we have our own players in some European leagues as well.”
He launched an appeal to local football fans to attend the match to give full support to Fitzel’s boys. Prices are the same as those paid for local league matches.
Dr Mifsud also spoke on the acceptance by the MFA of three new members among its ranks. These are MAFA (Malta Amateur Football Association), MFRA (Malta Football Referees Association) and MFCA (Malta Football Coaches Association).
And commenting about recent doping tests, the MFA president said the number of players testing positive was proving to be alarming.
He was replying to a question on what happened to a B test requested by a Premier League player after he had tested positive to doping earlier. “The B test also confirmed the former test,” he said.
Dr Mifsud said there had been at least seven players testing positive from 32 so far this season. “I am concerned by the increase, even if this is probably a case of lack of knowledge from the clubs and their coaches. Most do not use performance enhancing drugs, but social drugs. But these are also not permitted and all those making use of them have to face the painful consequences. Some even risk at least one year bans and that may ruin their careers,” he added.
Malta squad
The squad at the disposal of Mr Fitzel is the following:
Goalkeepers: Omar Borg, Andrew Hogg
Defenders: Roderick Briffa, Luke Dimech, Josef Mifsud, Kenneth Scicluna, Aaron Xuereb.
Midfielders: Shaun Bajada, George Mallia, Udo Nwoko, Jamie Pace, Kevin Sammut
Strikers: Gilbert Agius, Etienne Barbara, Andrew Cohen, Ryan Fenech, Michael Mifsud, Ivan Woods.