Tough match for Malta in Dublin

National coach Pierre Brincat is currently making his last preparations for Friday's UEFA Championship qualifier at the Dalymount Park Stadium against Ireland.

The match promises to be a very tough one for the Malta team, currently in bottom place with no points after six matches.

Ireland are leading Group Five with 15 points from seven matches, one better off than Romania who, however, have a game in hand. Ireland and Romania are both eyeing promotion to the elite top four groups in the category.

Malta's last qualifier, on May 8, was a disappointing one as the national team lost 8-0 at home to Romania at the Tedesco Stadium.

Since then, Brincat must have worked hard to shore up a leaky defence which is set to face a torrid time in Dublin this week as Ireland seek to complete their group qualifiers in style. Malta play their last match at home against Bosnia on September 5.

An-all woman officiating team from Sweden will control Ireland-Malta. Lena Arwedahl is the referee. She will be assisted by Anna Nystrom and Helen Caro.

The 2005 UEFA Women's Championship final tournament will be played in England next year. Three sides have already booked automatic qualification, apart from hosts England. These are Germany, Sweden and France.

Malta's provisional squad

Goalkeepers - T. Dimech, M.N. Zahra.

Defenders - M. Azzopardi, F. Busuttil Griffin, C.M. Fenech, L.A. Galea, I. Mazzitelli, N. Pace, A. Sammut, D. Theuma.

Midfielders - T. Agius, J. Coates, R. D'Agostino, M. Deguara, A.J. Scicluna, D. Tonna, J. Vella.

Forwards - S.J. Caruana, M. Coppola, K. Saliba.