Fitzel hopes resilience will help Malta get off the mark

Malta vs Hungary cannot really be defined as a clash between two minnows of European football but the timing of their first meeting in this Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and their mutual struggles in the opening matches have given today's fixture a critical feel.

Pointless after defeats to Bosnia (2-5) and Turkey (0-2), Malta will be expected to go into this evening's encounter with all guns blazing.

Expect the same from a Hungarian team already facing an uphill struggle to secure a berth in the Euro 2008 finals after Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Turkey left them with only three points from three matches.

The presence of Dusan Fitzel in Budapest last Saturday testifies to the importance the Malta coach and the MFA are attaching to this game.

Fitzel has left no stone unturned in his preparations, having also meticulously studied videos of Hungary's qualifiers against Norway and Bosnia.

"I have watched all three Hungary games so far," Fitzel said.

"In Budapest, last Saturday I was able to pick new information about our opponents. Hungary not only made some changes in their team, they also modified their tactical approach.

"Hungary may have lost 1-0 but they were better than Turkey in the second half. In their first two outings, Hungary were deployed in a 4-3-3 formation but they changed that against Turkey.

"This shows that they can change their tactics against us but our 4-2-3-1 approach is designed to cope with a variety of options."

Expectations of a satisfactory outcome are always high before a home date. Yet, to lead Malta to a positive result, after his first six matches in charge produced six defeats, Fitzel also shares this nationwide desire for a fruitful outing.

When it was put to Fitzel that the Maltese crave a home victory against Hungary today, the coach replied: "I know that supporters always expect a victory but I'm a realist. People must never forget that opposition for Malta in international matches is provided by full-time professionals whereas our players are semi-professionals at best.

"We are always at a disadvantage. But my players showed great resilience in the 2-0 defeat to Turkey and I will ask the same committed approach against Hungary."

Is Fitzel optimistic?

"I'm always optimistic, otherwise I wouldn't have taken this job," he said. "I work every day with the players and I believe in them."

Despite being outplayed for long stretches, Malta's gallant display frustrated the Turks in a scoreless first half but two goals in the second half edged Turkey home at an empty Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt.

Fitzel is unable to select the 11 players who started that match because right-back Ian Ciantar is out of the frame with a hamstring injury and midfielder-cum-forward Ivan Woods is suspended.

Typically, Fitzel made a bold effort not to drop hints about his likely formation today, even though at a MFA news briefing last week, Mark Miller, Fitzel's assistant, cited a few names as possible replacements for Ciantar and Woods.

According to Miller, George Mallia, the Birkirkara midfielder, is favourite to take the spot vacated by Woods while Kenneth Scicluna and Peter Pullicino are vying for Ciantar's place.

"There are several options," Fitzel said. "George Mallia and Andrew Cohen can both play on the left side of midfield and Kevin Sammut, Peter Pullicino and Kenneth Scicluna could come in for Ciantar at right-back."

Assuming that Fitzel does limit himself to replacing the two players unavailable today, the identity of the other nine starters is known.

Justin Haber will guard the team's goal behind a four-man defence of Brian Said, Luke Dimech, Steve Wellman and probably Scicluna, given the latter's defensive traits.

Jamie Pace and skipper Gilbert Agius, who is set to earn his 95th cap today, will again be charged with the task of running the team's engine room whereas Mallia and Kevin Sammut will line up along the flanks.

Up front, Lillestrom striker Michael Mifsud is likely to be granted a roaming role just behind Andrè Schembri.

In addition to a composed performance from his charges, Fitzel is also hoping for a slice of good fortune.

"Luck plays a part in everything," Fitzel said. "Hungary were unlucky when losing 4-1 at home to Norway but they benefited from a huge slice of good fortune when they beat Bosnia 3-1 away.

"I hope that a good performance will be backed up by some luck when we take on Hungary."

After today, Malta's campaign will resume in March with a double header against Moldova (away) and Greece (home). A creditable result against Hungary would surely help to raise morale not to mention the positive effect it might have on our FIFA rankings after a plunge of 22 places in September to no.144.

Fitzel does not anticipate problems to keep his players on a high.

"There is no doubt that a good result helps confidence but I don't think I will have problems motivating the players," he said.

"I watch all league games to monitor the players and that keeps them under pressure."

Last Friday, Miller suggested Ryan Baldacchino, the Gretna player of Maltese origins, could be invited to train with the national team but Fitzel insisted he had no intention of calling the player without having had the opportunity to see him in action.

"I cannot call a player on the recommendation of someone," Fitzel remarked. "I need to see and assess the player before deciding whether he should join our squad or not."

Malta's formation (probable)

Justin Haber, Kenneth Scicluna (Peter Pullicino), Steve Wellman, Brian Said, Luke Dimech, Gilbert Agius, Kevin Sammut, Michael Mifsud, George Mallia, Andrè Schembri, Jamie Pace.

Referee: Johny Ver Eecke (Belgium).

Past encounters - Malta vs Hungary...

14-11-1971 (World Cup): Malta vs Hungary 0-2
06-05-1972 (World Cup): Hungary vs Malta 3-0
11-12-1988 (World Cup): Malta vs Hungary 2-2
12-04-1989 (World Cup): Hungary vs Malta 1-1
19-03-1997 (Friendly): Malta vs Hungary 1-4
06-08-1997 (Friendly): Hungary vs Malta 3-0
17-11-2004 (World Cup): Malta vs Hungary 0-2
03-09-2005 (World Cup): Hungary vs Malta 4-0