Malta will be facing Denmark this evening at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium in a World Cup qualifier which should bring about a fresh challenge for Pietro Ghedin’s boys.
The match comes after the 1-0 win against Armenia in Yerevan, but also after a friendly defeat (3-0) against Azerbaijan in Baku last month.
And this poses a fresh challenge for Ghedin and his players as they try to recoup after the defeat and get back to the same levels shown against Armenia in that historic 1-0 win in June.
Addressing the press yesterday morning at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Ghedin said all matches were important for his squad, and this against Denmark, was certainly no exception. “It will be difficult like all the other matches, but I believe in the technical and physical values of my players, even if no comparisons can be made with superior opponents.
“After the Yerevan victory, the team went into relaxation mode. And that was demonstrated in the 3-0 defeat against Azerbaijan in the August friendly. But even from that defeat, we continued to learn and that is why I firmly believe that we have to continue growing even after a defeat,” he said.
Ghedin admitted that the Maltese were always at a disadvantage against such opponents. “We know that we have something, somewhere, missing. But more importantly, we also know that the commitment is there – we all want to believe in our values and we all want to go out there to be positive all the way,” he added.
Ghedin said that it was also true that the Azerbaijan match came at a time which was unfavourable for Malta. “It was in mid-August, the players were in the middle of the pre-season training and had not yet played any competitive match. We regaled our opponents with three gift goals, but I can also say that there were also some positive aspects in that defeat.
“Now I can say that the players have played three league matches and I am certain that they were well prepared physically for this clash. I am confident that they will perform well against Denmark.
“However, we are also aware of the strength of the Danes. They come here following two defeats – against Armenia at home and Poland away – that is certainly a disadvantage for us. For I am sure they are coming here to get back on the winning track to try and get back into contention in so far as qualification for next year’s finals is concerned. They are Anglo-Saxons and are physically very strong. They never relax and do not give away anything. We have to fight hard till the very end against such opponents,” he added.
Ghedin is aware that the Danes are a strong side despite their recent results, but he must reshuffle his defence tonight with Luke Dimech and Alex Muscat ruled out through suspension.
“Our central defenders will be Camilleri and Agius, while Failla and either Borg or Grioli will play on the flanks. Otherwise there should be no radical changes to the side, although I may consider a small change in attack,” he said.
Asked about Michael Mifsud who is still without a club, Ghedin defended the player and said his captain was one of the most disciplined players in his squad. “I must say that one can find only a few players like him. He trains very seriously on his own before coming to us. He is experienced and is gifted as everyone knows. As a captain he has the responsibility to lead his team on the field of play and I think he covers that role in a most exemplary manner,” said Ghedin.
He also explained why Manny Muscat was not brought over from Australia. “I have my own systems and I do not believe that it is fair to bring over a player – whoever he is – from afar to take the place of a local player who would have been training for several months. I must say that he is still in my thoughts as are all the others who did not make it for this match,” he reiterated.
Ghedin finally thanked the players (also on behalf of the technical staff) for their very fine gesture in making a donation in recognition of the work they do with them (the players).
Also attending the news conference were players Clayton Failla and Edward Herrera.
Both players said that the Danes are difficult opponents but added that they were well prepared to face them.
Failla said today’s encounter will be a continuation after the Yerevan and Baku matches. “We also have to face Bulgaria next Tuesday. On that occasion we will have something more to play for – we have to eradicate the sad memories of that 6-0 defeat away from home,” he said.
Herrera said: “We hope to reach the same levels as we showed in Yerevan against Armenia. I feel that every match has its own story. We also hope that the fans will be at the stadium giving us full support from start to finish.”
Ghedin has not yet announced his formation officially, but it expected to be more or less the following:
J. Haber, J. Borg (J. Grioli), R. Camilleri, A. Agius, C. Failla; E. Herrera, G. Sciberras, R. Briffa, P. Fenech; A. Schembri (A. Cohen), M. Mifsud.
The other players making up the squad are Henry Bonello, Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ryan Fenech, John Mintoff, Rowen Muscat, Andrew Cohen and Terence Vella.
The match, at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, kicks off at 8pm.