'I only spoke about problems plaguing local football'

Siegfried Held and the article on Malta's holiday, hunting mentality, featured on German internet site Spiegel Online last week, stole much of the limelight in the lead-up to Malta's final EURO 2004 qualifier against Israel on Wednesday.

Held's comments on the shambolic state of Maltese football were pounced upon by the German journalist, Alwin Schröder who proceeded to produce a massacre of Malta as epitomised by his description of the country as the 'most unattractive island in the Mediterranean'.

The general reaction to the article was one of anger at Held, even if the unsavoury comments on Malta were made by the writer.

Speaking to The Times at the end of a training session yesterday morning, Held was quick to distance himself from the author's views on Malta.

"I have heard that there's been quite a fuss about this article on Spiegel," Held said. "The author was very negative about Malta but I don't know the reasons why... maybe someone stole his money while he was here," Held said with a touch of irony.

"I spoke about football, namely the difficulties Maltese players face to cope with the demands of their jobs and their football careers," Held added.

"My comments were focused on the problems plaguing the development of Maltese football, nothing more and nothing less. All the other stuff that was written about the islands were the impressions of the writer."

Schröder portrayed Malta in a very bad light claiming, among other things, that "here the killing of birds is still a popular hobby but this did not prevent the country's accession to the EU in 2004".

Asked for his views on Malta, having resided here for the past two years, Held said: "I like the island and we are happy living here. The Maltese are friendly people. The only thing I'm not satisfied about is that the national team has been unsuccessful in the EURO 2004 qualifiers.

"Our results in friendly matches were good but the outcomes of our qualifiers could have been a lot better."

Held's reign as Malta coach ends after next week's final EURO 2004 qualifier against Israel in Antalya. The Malta FA have so far kept mum about Held's position after Wednesday's qualifier but the German is already making plans to return to Dortmund.

"Nobody has approached me to discuss my position after the end of my contract next week," Held remarked. "It could be that the association are still pondering what direction to take in view of the fact that Malta's next qualifying campaign kicks off around a year from now.

"I have no regrets about my decision to coach Malta. I had a good time and for me it was a new experience. Now I'm going back home and then I'll plot my next move. To be honest, I haven't decided what I'm going to do. I have been contacted about future jobs but I am still weighing up my options."

The qualifier against Israel is Malta's and Held's last chance to improve a dismal record after seven defeats from seven qualifiers.

"We have to work hard to gain a good result," Held said. "I am under no illusion as to the strength of the Israeli team who are still challenging Slovenia for second spot in the group.

Success... no miracle from heaven

"Malta will only stand a chance of achieving a good result if the players work to the border... that means we need to show a lot of fighting spirit and tactical discipline to fulfill our ambition. Success is not a miracle from a heaven, it comes through hard work and commitment. If the players give their 100 per cent, everything is possible," Held said.

Malta's prospects of gaining a positive result in Antalya have been undermined by the absence of several key players because of injury and suspension. Gilbert Agius and Saviour Darmanin are both suspended while Luke Dimech, George Mallia and Darren Debono are ruled out by injuries.

"We have a lot of injury problems ahead of the Israel match," Held observed. "The absence of so many key players is always bound to have an effect on a small team like Malta, especially that of Gilbert Agius. However, I am now concentrating on the players I have rather than on those who are not here," Held said.

Held is quite satisfied with the physical condition of his players despite not benefiting from an overseas pre-season training camp this summer.

"Their fitness is quite good and the team performed creditably in the 1-1 draw against Luxembourg," Held said.

"This season, we did not have the same pre-season preparation as in previous years. Most of the players were involved in European club competitions and on most occasions, the results of the Maltese teams were not very good.

"That did not help to lift the confidence of the players but they have to realise that this is a new situation and a different match because they are representing their nation. All of us have to try hard to obtain a positive result for ourselves and Malta," Held said.