National coach Dusan Fitzel will be taking an 18-man squad for next Friday's friendly match against Austria in Graz.

The match will be a return to the one played in Malta last year to commemorate 50 years of international football in Malta. That had finished in a 1-1 draw.

Speaking during a special occasion with the local press, Fitzel said yesterday this would be a good opportunity to see whether the Malta team had made any progress.

The coach from the Czech Republic said he will only be naming his squad at the weekend, as because of the Trophy semi-finals and the final today, he could not know exactly who would be 100 per cent to be included in his squad.

The national coach indicated that he might also include some players who were included in yesterday's squad for the match against the Belgian Olympic team. He hinted that if those selected to play yesterday (from among the newcomers) left a good impression they stood a good chance of being selected to form part of the 18 travelling to Austria.

The national team contingent will be flying to Vienna next Wednesday. The match is being played at the 25,000 capacity Sturm Graz Stadium on Friday with an 8.30pm kick-off time.

Meanwhile, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud also addressed those present, thanking everyone for their support throughout the past season.

He revealed that the Association was glad to see its promises being realised as some club facilities are now taking shape, mentioning, in particular, those of Melita and St Patrick which were opened officially recently.

He added that others at Pembroke Athleta and Hamrun Spartans will soon be under way, with others to follow in various localities.

He said he hoped the project with the financial help of UEFA, should be brought to complete fruition by 2010.