Malta faces Group D leaders Kosovo this evening at the Ta' Qali national stadium in the last but one qualifier from League D Group 4 (kick-off 6pm).

It is the first of the last two matches which are to be played here in Malta. The other match is scheduled for next Tuesday against the Faroe Islands.

Addressing the press yesterday, national coach Ray Farrugia is aware that it will be a difficult match. "We have seen them in action, and they deserve to be the leaders of the Group.

"They have quality among their ranks and will certainly be here to consolidate their position at the top of the Group. They have eight points, two more than Azerbaijan and four over the Faroe Islands. Malta is in bottom place on just 2 points.

"But we have prepared seriously for this encounter and that of next Tuesday. We have undergone the usual preparation, but this time it was more intensive.

"But after our good performance against Azerbaijan where we managed a draw, we feel confident of giving Kosovo a good run for their money when playing on our home soil," said Farrugia.

The coach went on to praise the performance of the team that played in Baku, but he could not say what will happen today.

He added: "I am aware that we have two key players in Andrei Agius and Steve Borg missing the match as they are ruled out through suspension, but I believe in all my players in the squad and I am sure their replacements - probably Jonathan caruana and Zach Muscat - will be doing their best."

The national coach added: "Having already played against them, we cannot afford to give them the space we gave them in the away match. We have to press them and also take some risks."

Farrugia spoke about the atmosphere in the dressing room, saying that it cannot be better at present. "We are aware they are strong, but we also know that we can provide them with a number of anxious moments. In the away match, not only did we score a goal, but we also created some scoring occasions. That showed my players believe in my tactics and I am sure we are on the right track," he said.

Asked whether he was disappointed with the Premier League clubs' proposal to be able to play 11 foreign players, he said he understood the clubs and their needs, especially vis-a-vis their participation in the UEFA Champions League. "But they also have to understand me and my needs with regards to the national team squad. Such a proposal, if implemented, will limit my selection, which is already small, to just a few.

"There are a good number of talented young players like Kieran Nwoko, Joseph Mbong, Juan Corbolan, Jake Grech, Dunstan Vella and Matthew Guillaumier who are gaining much needed experience. Another player, foreign based Luke Gambin is also in line to start today's match. The experienced players are doing their best to help them integrate into the squad," he said.

Andre Schembri wants team to win points in these last two matches

Andre Schembri, who plays for Apollon Limassol in Cyprus, , wants Malta to obtain more points from these last two home matches.

Incidentally, they will also be the last two matches for him in the national team, ending a career which spans over 20 years. He has 92 caps.

Schembri, who has been playing abroad for the last 11 years, said yesterday the squad had never prepared as it did in these last few days since he joined it for the first time.

"We have prepared intensively and I am sure the players will respond with a positive performance and therefore good results," he said.

Speaking about his retirement, Schembri said he decided it was time to go to make more space for the talented youngsters awaiting their chance to get into the national team. "Players like Kyrian Nwoko, Jake Grech and Jean Paul Borg are all very talented. Had they gone abroad when they were younger, I am sure they would have made it," he said.

He added: "It's always nice to play for the national team. I have nice and also bad memories, but I will never forget the memorable matches against Hungary, Turkey, Moldova and Armenia, not to mention others. Apart from such excellent memories, I also feel that I have improved my personality as a human being."

Schembri, who is 32 years old, said he might still play for two or three more seasons abroad before retiring completely as a player.