"We have to stick together as a football nation" says Malta coach
Coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia yesterday told journalists that Malta's players knew quite well what they had to do when facing Azerbaijan in their second encounter in the competition.
Malta started its commitments last Friday with a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Faroe Islands.
That evening a glaring error by left flanker Joe Zerafa on 31 minutes paved the way for our opponents to take the lead and command of the match to emerge winners 3-1.
Until that disastrous moment, Malta had been faring well, sharing the exchanges with the home side and even creating two good scoring opportunities.
On the other hand, our opponents this evening, Azerbaijan, were figuring in a goalless draw at home by Kosovo.
Today, both Malta and Azerbaijan will be aiming for a win to remain in contention. But it will not be an easy match for Farrugia's boys.
There are, of course, some things which have to be improved upon, such as avoiding silly mistakes and to try and make the most of the chances which come our way.
Farrugia said yesterday that he was very disappointed with the result of last Friday's match. "Not with the performance, but it is always the result that counts," he added.
Malta's head coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia spoke about "we Maltese sticking together for Malta" during the Malta press conference. Photo © Domenic Aquilina
Addressing a press conference on the eve of the match, he said that no one can ever be happy with a defeat. "I am also disappointed with those critics who are always waiting for such a defeat to come out and criticise the team, the MFA and all those connected with football in Malta. We have to change this mentality and stick together as a football nation if we are to move forward," he said. "Everybody knows that I always speak the way I feel,"he added.
He admitted that a team cannot win if it concedes goals the way Malta did on Friday evening in Torshavn.
The national coach also spoke about his concern that Joseph Mbong who despite being mostly on the reserves bench with Hibernians, was one of the best players against the Faroes."Such players need more playing minutes to get the required experience," he added.
Farrugia also indicated that Roderick Briffa of Gzira United could be included in the squad and may also be playing from the start. He missed the Faroes match as he was still nursing an injury.
The game against Azerbaijan is the first home match for Malta and the players will be all out to atone for their defeat against the Faroes.
Another speaker yesterday was Andre Schembri, who also played very well against the Faroe Islands.
He said: "Never before have I been so happy to be in the national squad. There is a great atmosphere in the dressing room. We have worked hard on tactics and this should help us in no small measure in today's match. We need to be patient. I am sure the results will be forthcoming in the near future."
Farrugia has the following squad at his disposal:
GOALKEEPERS: Henry Bonello (Valletta); Andrew Hogg (Hibernians); Steve Sultana (Balzan).
DEFENDERS: Ferdinando Apap (Victoria Hotspurs); Andrei Agius (Hibernians); Steve Borg (Valletta); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Michael Johnson (Balzan); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Zach Muscat (Pistoiese); Joseph Zerafa (Valletta).
MIDFIELDERS: Johann Bezzina (Hibernians); Roderick Briffa (Gżira United); Juan Corbalan (Gżira United); Paul Fenech (Birkirkara); Ryan Fenech (Sliema Wanderers); Rowen Muscat (Valletta); Stephen Pisani (Floriana);
FORWARDS: Andrew Cohen (Gżira United); Alfred Effiong (Balzan); Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers); Michael Mifsud (Birkirkara); Andrè Schembri (Apollon Limassol, Cyprus).