National coach John Buttigieg is looking forward to a positive result this evening as his boys face Georgia in the second qualifier in just four days – last Friday Malta lost to Croatia 1-3 at the Ta’ Qali national stadium.
The match, which kicks off at 8.30pm, is one of the remaining few chances for Malta to obtain positive results in this difficult qualifying group.
So far Malta has lost all the seven matches played, scoring three goals and suffering 16.
Addressing the press yesterday, Buttigieg said he was aware that Croatia were a stronger side – on paper – than Georgia. But he added: “This, however, does not mean that Georgia will be easy opponents. Far from it. They are also a strong side, but this could be a more balanced match.”
The national coach said all the players at his disposal were in good condition. “We are lucky that we have no injury problems following Friday’s match. But despite the difficulties in preparing the side in just three days, my boys are motivated and I am convinced that they will be at their very best this evening. We will be doing our best to get a positive result, but I am aware it will not be an easy match,” he added.
Buttigieg insisted that it was possible for Malta to obtain a point or points this evening. “We have been very close twice so far, away to Georgia and at home to Greece. I feel that in today’s match and the others against Israel and Latvia, it is also possible to get a positive result.”
Buttigieg, who, as usual, did not announce his starting formation, gave a clear hint that Valletta’s central defender Jonathan Caruana will be included in the starting line-up this evening. Caruana had missed Friday’s match due to a severe bout of flu. “The player is feeling much better now and has been training with us. We hope to have him back as quickly as possible,” said the coach.
Asked about whether he intended making use of the returning Bogdanovic in this evening’s clash, Buttigieg said: “The Blackpool player is also back with us and he is considered as one of the players in the squad. Like all the others, he has to prove himself by fighting for a place in the starting line-up during training sessions. If he is in the right frame of mind and condition, then I see no reason why he shouldn’t play,” he said.
Buttigieg went on to speak about foreign-based players John Hutchinson and Manny Muscat. He said that both had integrated well within the squad, but he thought they could perform better, especially Muscat. “At present, Hutchinson seems to be playing better than Muscat, but I consider both as valid members in my squad,” he said.
Asked whether he intended to use any sort of strict marking on particular Georgian players, Buttigieg said Malta’s opponents are very experienced. “They have several players who have played on various occasions and there are some youngsters who are very promising. But we will be playing our normal match against them,” he said.
Buttigieg has the following squad at his disposal:
Goalkeepers: Reuben Gauci - Marsaxlokk FC, Andrew Hogg - Valletta FC
Defenders: Andrei Agius - As Melfi, Roderick Briffa - Valletta FC, Jonathan Caruana - Valletta FC, Clayton Failla - Hibernians FC, Carlo Mamo - Marsaxlokk FC, Joseph Zerafa - Birkirkara FC.
Midfielders: Trevor Cilia - Birkirkara FC, Paul Fenech - Birkirkara FC, Ryan Fenech - Valletta FC, John Hutchinson - Chengdu Blades, Manny Muscat - Wellington Phoenix, Jamie Pace - Valletta FC, Gareth Sciberras - Birkirkara FC.
Forwards: Danijel Bogdanovic - Blackpool FC, Andrew Cohen - Hibernians FC, Michael Mifsud - Valletta FC, Andre` Schembri - Olympiakos Volou, Ivan Woods - Floriana FC.