Clean sheet would keep Malta in contention

The prospect of a lengthy absence from international football is not one that appeals to upcoming players. To avert this scenario, Malta's U-21 team must overcome Georgia in a two-legged play-off for the qualifying round of the European Championships in 2007.

A victory in today's first leg would surely increase Malta's chances of joining Serbia and Lithuania in Group Three but for U-21 coach Mark Miller, the foremost priority is that his team avoid conceding a goal and defeat at the National Stadium.

"Given that we will be facing Georgia over two games, I believe we have to be a bit cautious in the first leg," Miller told The Times.

"Initially, we need to find out more about the strength of our opponents. A few of the Georgia players were here for the International Tournament. We saw them play and I can say that they fight hard.

"Their youth team had made it to the finals of the U-17 European Championships in 2003 and if Georgia kept that group together, then they will have some good players against us.

"For us, the worst result at home would be to lose. Even if we draw 0-0, we would still have a chance. We must avoid conceding a goal, especially in the early stages of the game."

Miller will choose his starting line-up from a 20-man squad.

He normally has a clear picture about the first 11 names on his teamsheet but injuries and the stark fact that his team have not had an official outing since drawing 1-1 with Bulgaria in October, have forced Miller to delay naming his XI.

"We had no matches since October and that for me is a big disadvantage," Miller said.

"To a certain extent, this is a new squad. At present, 14 of the players could be in the first eleven against Georgia."

The do-or-die nature of these games will surely encourage Miller to call upon the most experienced personnel. There were doubts on flank defenders Alex Muscat, of Sliema Wanderers, and Hibs' Clayton Failla at first but yesterday they trained regularly with the squad.

Andrei Agius, a positive performer on his senior debut in Malta's 2-0 loss to Moldova in the International Tournament, was only able to join his U-21 counterparts yesterday after turning out for Messina's primavera on Monday.

Provided that all the players in his squad are fit, Miller is likely to include Muscat, Failla, Agius, Cleaven Frendo, Paul Fenech, Andrè Schembri and Dyson Falzon in his first team.

With goalkeeper Reuben Gauci no longer eligible at U-21 level, Pietà's Andrew Hogg is the front-runner for the no.1 shirt.

Miller has been devoting a lot of attention to tactical discipline in training.

"We worked a lot on keeping our tactical shape," Miller remarked.

"The focus has been on how the team should move when we have possession. We definitely need to win the one-on-one situations to have a chance of getting the result we want."

For some years now, the U-21 team has been playing with four defenders at the back in a 4-4-2 formation. For this game, Miller wants to attack with three forwards.

"We will have three in attack when in possession but when Georgia have the initiative, two of the strikers must support their midfield colleagues."

This assertion can be taken as an indication that Schembri, of Marsaxlokk, will be given a midfield role where he will be expected to apply his ball-keeping qualities to set up openings for the team.

As the domestic season nears its conclusion, Miller is hopeful that the match fitness of his players is optimal on the back of regular competitive action for their clubs.

"Most of the players have had games at the weekend and I believe that's better for the team," Miller commented.

"Their match fitness should be high because of the intensity and pressure of the games they have played.

"Georgia wanted to play these two games at the beginning of June but I was against it. We pressed hard to have these matches played in April and I'm glad with the dates we have agreed with Georgia."

The return leg is scheduled for April 26 in Tbilisi.

Motivation, new format

Although Miller is concerned about the dearth of international matches the last seven months could have left on their competitive edge, he is not worried about his players' motivation.

"The urge will be there, I have no doubts about that," Miller said.

"Over the last three weeks, I could see the players regaining focus and fully acknowledge the importance of these two matches."

In the past, U-21 matches were staged parallel with the senior side's qualifiers for World Cup or European Championship finals.

The format has now been revamped though after UEFA decided to move the final stage to odd years.

The lowest-ranked 16 nations have been drawn in eight play-offs with the winners advancing to the a qualifying group stage which contains 14 sections with three teams each.

The 14 group winners will then clash in play-offs to decide the seven teams to join Holland, the host country, in the final tournament.

Malta (probable): A. Hogg, A. Muscat, C. Failla, D. Camenzuli, J. Caruana, P. Fenech, A. Agius, A. Schembri, C. Frendo, D. Falzon, M. Bartolo/J. Mifsud.

Referee: Adrian McCourt (Northern Ireland FA).

Kick-off: 6 p.m.

U-21 Championship prel. round - 2006/07

Estonia vs Wales
Malta vs Georgia
San Marino vs Armenia
Liechtenstein vs N. Ireland
Kazakhstan vs Moldova
Luxembourg vs Macedonia
Andorra vs Iceland
Azerbaijan vs Ireland
Note: Preliminary Round matches have to be played before July 15.