Good chance to play positive football, says Heese

Horst Heese is urging his players to produce some positive football today when the national team plays Northern Ireland in an international friendly at the National Stadium.

It has been 18 months now since Malta last savoured the sweet taste of success in an international match. But during the past few days one could sense a positive feeling among the national team set-up. They reckon the negative run could finally come to an end against N. Ireland tonight.

Malta's last victory dates back to February 16, 2004. On that day we beat Estonia 5-2 at Ta' Qali. The match was from the mid-season International Tournament.

Since then the national team has generally been on the backfoot with a string of embarrassing results that included heavy defeats to Sweden (0-6 and 0-7), Germany (0-7), Belarus (0-4) and fellow minnows Faroe Islands (3-2).

Northern Ireland are now next in line and statistics are not really encouraging. Heese admitted that Northern Ireland look slightly superior on paper but he believes that today's match presents an ideal occasion for the team to play some attacking football and perhaps collect Malta's first win after 12 matches.

"During the past year or so we faced some of the strongest teams around," Heese said.

"Against Sweden, Bulgaria and Croatia we were made to play defensively. Facing players the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson, Dimitar Berbatov and Dado Prso we could not afford to take risks.

"But against Northern Ireland it will be a different story. With all respect to them they do not possess such quality players and that will give us the possibility to venture more forward. It's our chance to play an offensive game and we have to make the most of it."

Heese said it was disappointing that he cannot field striking duo Michael Mifsud and Etienne Barbara, both injured.

However, he made it clear that the shortage of strikers will not hinder him from adopting attacking tactics.

"Obviously, it would have been better had we had Mifsud and Barbara fit as it would have given us a better chance," Heese said.

"We only have one striker available but there will be adequate backing from midfield.

"Cohen is main striker but he will be supported by Anonam and Woods who know what to do when they're in the box. We have some good creative players in the side who can pose great danger against opponents like Northern Ireland.

"Hopefully, we will be able to take some of the chances that come our way."

Justin Haber, currently playing club football in the French league, will be in goal. Heese's four-man defensive line will be composed of Stephen Wellman, Brian Said, Luke Dimech and Peter Pullicino. Roderick Briffa and Claude Mattocks will patrol the flanks in midfield with skipper Gilbert Agius deployed behind the more advancing Orosco Anonam, who will be making his debut, and Ivan Woods. Cohen will be Malta's lone forward.

Heese is planning to give a run-out to other players during the match as he wants to give them the chance to stake a claim for a more regular place in the team ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Croatia.

This could well mean a first appearance for Birkirkara defender Kenneth Scicluna.

"Scicluna seems to have the ability to do a good job for the national team," Heese said.

"He is a very strong player with good speed on the ball. We play a different game from Birkirkara at the back though so it was difficult for him to start. However, I have no doubt he is going to play a key role in future."

Heese said avoiding defeat today will lift the players' morale.

"We are desperate to get a good result," Heese said. "We need it ahead of our group matches next month. But to achieve that we must show passion and fight for every ball.

"I also expect the public to cheer the players on because support from the stands is vital in every match."

Malta formation

J. Haber, S. Wellman, B. Said, L. Dimech, P. Pullicino, C. Mattocks, R. Briffa, G. Agius, O. Anonam, I. Woods, A. Cohen.

Referee: M. Riley (English FA).