National coach Ray Farrugia said that a positive result against Faroe Islands on Tuesday will be a fantastic result for Maltese football and could be the basis for a better future.
Farrugia and striker Michael Mifsud were addressing the pre-match press conference yesterday in Torshavn. Farrugia said that the project he started at the start of his take over at the helm of the national team will continue as that is the only way forward for Maltese football.
Farrugia said that his contract will expire at the end of December and he hopes to continue with this project of introducing new blood in the squad, together with the established players as this is the only way we can make progress.
He said that he is risking, like he did with Kurt Shaw against Sweden, but in the end the results will come.
Farrugia said that there is no doubt that Tuesday's game is a very important one for both countries. He said that both sides are on a par, and we have the advantage of having won the first match at Ta' Qali.
The match at Ta' Qali was a balanced affair with the Maltese having the edge even though playing for long stretches with a man less. Farrugia said that it will be a hard game for both sides, as they both know the importance of these 90 minutes.
Farrugia confirmed that Rowen Muscat, who sustained an ankle injury against Sweden, is fit to play on Tuesday, and all players are focussed to obtain a positive result. He said that this will be achieved if all players give their best.
Ray Farrugia concluded by saying that he wished he had another two Michael Mifsuds in his line up. He said that the Maltese striker is still a respected player all over Europe.
This will be the eighth encounter between the two nations, with the balance tilting in favour of Faroe Islands who won four out of seven encounters, against Malta's two wins, the last of which last March at Ta' Qali. The only draw between the two nations was in November 2018, a 1-1 draw at Ta' Qali in the UEFA Nations League.
Michael Mifsud still an asset
Veteran striker Michael Mifsud is still considered an asset for the national team and will surely be a starter for Tuesday's important clash against Faroe Islands. Mifsud said that this is a vital match for both nations as they both will try to avoid last place in the standings.
Mifsud said that this is a difficult test for both as the two sides are of the same level as was seen at Ta' Qali in March. Mifsud said that it is an honour for him that he is still considered as one of Malta's best players, but he said the most important thing on Tuesday is that the Malta team will obtain the desired result.