Malta's leading lights out to boost Fitzel's spirits

Malta's leading lights will be striving to give Dusan Fitzel cause for optimism this evening.

A hollow performance in a 2-0 defeat to Moldova in the opening match of the 2006 International Football Tournament was hardly the ideal way to signal the start of Fitzel's stint as Malta coach.

He cut a desolate figure in the post-match news conference on Saturday, making no effort to disguise his frustration at Malta's poor display. To a large degree, the Czech did not assist his prospects of a winning debut by putting out an experimental side but today, he, and for that matter all the followers of the national side, will be entitled to expect a bolder showing from the established players.

To make amends for Saturday's reverse, Malta will have to overpower the challenge of a Georgia team who, having endured such an ignominious debut in the competition with a 5-1 upset to Moldova on Monday, are also expected to go into today's encounter with all guns blazing.

Klaus Toppmoeller's bid to gain his first victory since taking over Georgia has been hit by the absence of two influential players today.

Blackburn Rovers centre-half Zurab Kizhanishvili and captain Malkhaz Asatiani, of Lokomotiv Moscow, are ineligible to play after they saw red against Moldova, winners of the 13th International Football Tournament.

In retrospect, Moldova's resounding success over Georgia showed that Malta went down to valid opponents rather than a bunch of novices as some may have suggested. Nevertheless, Fitzel has not softened his instructions for an improved showing from his charges.

"As I have already said, I am not happy with the team's level of physical fitness," Fitzel said.

"I thought the players should have tried harder on Saturday but on the other hand, I can't blame them because I know they had no energy left in them to do that.

"I expect an improvement against Georgia," Fitzel added. "The players must raise their game. There is big difference between a training match and competing in a proper international... against Moldova the team looked as if they were still during practising time.

"Against Georgia we have to be more aggressive. This is another challenge for these players to show they deserve to represent their country."

Fitzel plans to select a different formation to that of Saturday.

Trevor Cilia and Shaun Bajada have been omitted from the squad but otherwise all the other players are fit. The indications from training are that Fitzel will revert to the core of players who helped Malta make a positive finale to their World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign.

Gilbert Agius will return to skipper the side from a midfield position but he is unlikely to fill the screening role he was regularly assigned by former coach Horst Heese.

William Camenzuli, back in the national team's frame after a lengthy absence, is the frontrunner for the role of link-man in midfield, the position occupied by young Andrei Agius on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Justin Haber is sure to receive Fitzel's nod today behind a four-strong defence which is expected to be manned by Ian Azzopardi, Luke Dimech, Steve Wellman and Ian Ciantar.

Apart from Camenzuli and Agius, the other slots in midfield are likely to be offered to Claude Mattocks, Roderick Briffa and George Mallia.

Lillestrom striker Michael Mifsud will head Malta's attacking charge against a team led by German Toppmoeller, ex-Bayer Leverkusen, who will remember Mifsud from his days with Kaiserslautern.

The spirited performance turned in by Barbara on Saturday ought to have aided his chances of holding down a regular place in the team.

Strong, direct and confident to take on opponents, Barbara looks to have what it takes to become Mifsud's strike partner. Having enjoyed a full 90-minute run-out against Moldova on Saturday, Barbara could start on the subs' bench today but Fitzel confirmed his eagerness to partner the Birkirkara striker with Mifsud in attack.

"Etienne Barbara may not start but he will surely play a part during the match," Fitzel said. "I want to try him alongside Mifsud up front."

Although most of Malta's 'heavyweights' will grace the National Stadium this evening, Fitzel made it clear that these players have yet to convince him that they are the best for the job.

"I really don't know if this is my best team or if these are the best players," Fitzel noted. "I can only judge on how they perform when under pressure, beginning with this game."

The arrival on Sunday of Haber, whose determination to make his mark at US Quevilly recently brought him to the attention of renowned football magazine France Football (see picture on left), and centre-half Dimech, on the books of English League Two outfit Chester, helped to brighten Fitzel's mood.

"Justin Haber and Luke Dimech are professional players," Fitzel remarked on Monday. "I hope they will inspire the other players to reach their level. I have already told them that they have to lead by example and encourage their team-mates."

Malta's tactical shape for Fitzel's opening match was 4-1-4-1. Despite the team's limpid difficulties to get to grips with the new tactical orders, the Czech will stick to the same gameplan.

"Our tactical approach will be the same as on Saturday," Fitzel said.

"I know, the players committed several tactical mistakes and I tried to explain what went wrong. The problem was that we defended too deep and the midfield failed to provide adequate support for Barbara in attack.

"There were big gaps in our set-up and the challenge is to squeeze that space, to make our game shorter and more compact."

Malta (probable): Justin Haber, Ian Azzopardi, Steve Wellman, Luke Dimech, Ian Ciantar, William Camenzuli, Roderick Briffa, Gilbert Agius, Claude Mattocks, George Mallia, Michael Mifsud.

Referee: V. Banari (Moldova).