Miller's boys eye positive start to Nordic mission

Malta's double mission in the Nordic region begins today when Mark Miller's U-21 team meet Sweden in a UEFA U-21 Championship qualifier in Halmstad (kick-off 7 p.m.).

A demanding week beckons Miller's apprentices and their senior counterparts as their commitments in Sweden will be followed by another significant assignment in Iceland next week.

Tackling two away matches in five days increases the physical and mental strain on the Maltese but Miller has pronounced himself satisfied with the build-up.

"We have been training hard for the past three weeks," Miller said.

"It is not an easy job getting the players to work on the training pitch for another few weeks when the season has just finished. Most of them have not played competitive football for some time but on the plus side, we have had the team together for a long period."

Miller's preparations for these matches have been hampered by a goalkeeping dilemma sparked by Andrew Hogg's late withdrawal from the travelling party because of illness, and Reuben Gauci's recent promotion to the 'A' squad.

Kris Calleja, of Mqabba, and Floriana youngster David Farrugia are the two goalkeepers in Miller's squad but neither will start today's match as Horst Heese, the Malta coach, has agreed to allow Gauci to play for the U-21s.

"Reuben is an important player for us," Miller, who has recently been confirmed as Malta U-21 coach for the next three years, said.

"I'm sure that he will strive to do his best in his role with the national team but he would rather play for the U-21s than restrict himself to training only.

"When he was called up to join the 'A' squad, I immediately told him that Mr Heese will make the decision whether he will play for us or not.

"Now we have been told that Gauci can play for us before the World Cup match."

A dearth of striking options is another main concern for Miller.

Marsaxlokk forward Andrè Schembri is sidelined with a broken foot and Terence Scerri, Hibs' towering striker, has been axed from the squad for disciplinary reasons.

Malta's attack today is likely to be manned by Cleaven Frendo, of Marsaxlokk, and Floriana's Christian Cassar although the latter is expected to assume the role of adjunct striker.

Although Sweden are widely tipped to gain the three points this evening, Miller's players ought to derive courage from the 1-0 defeat to the same opponents in Malta last September.

Cautiously optimistic

Miller is cautiously optimistic about Malta's chances of obtaining good results in Sweden and Iceland whom Malta beat 1-0 at home for their only win in the group so far.

"Looking at the games, I've told the boys that a couple of good results will make them the most successful Malta U-21 team ever," Miller said.

"We have already met the Swedes in Malta and I have also watched videos of the matches they have played recently. Their players are strong and possess adequate technique."

"I am confident that we can get something from these games," Miller added.

"In March, we only lost 1-0 away to Croatia but with a bit of luck, we could have snatched a draw. These are tough games but I think that a draw is a reachable target."

Malta U-21 formation: R. Gauci, A. Muscat, R. Mintoff, S. Tellus, J. Mifsud, T. Cilia, G. Sciberras, R. Bajada, S. Bajada, C. Cassar, C. Frendo.