Buoyant Malta aim to keep spirits high

Eulogised by fans and the media after their 2-1 victory over Hungary in a Euro 2008 qualifier last month, Malta players aim to nurture this sudden upsurge in pride when they take on Lithuania in a friendly at the Hibs Ground this afternoon.

Although results of non-competitive matches are of relative importance, the paucity of victories for our national team and the scepticism local fans usually show towards our elite players, make it imperative on Malta to treat every international outing as a serious test.

The morale in the Maltese camp is still sky-high after that unforgettable night of October 11 but Malta coach Dusan Fitzel is wary of the pitfalls if his team go into their next game with an air of over confidence.

"After our victory against Hungary, the players might think that life will be easier now," Fitzel said yesterday afternoon.

"The most difficult part of my work in the past few weeks has been to bring the players back to reality.

"Yes, we had a good performance against Hungary but we were also lucky in some aspects. For me, the game against Hungary belongs to the past. We need to move on.

"For this game against Lithuania, we have some players missing but I expect all those in the squad to be fully focused to do well in this match."

The absence of keeper Justin Haber and centre-half Luke Dimech will enforce two changes from the starting formation for the Hungary match but Fitzel is planning to make further alterations to his team.

"I intend to effect more than two changes," Fitzel said. "I want to use this friendly to give a chance to those who haven't figured regularly for the national team in the last few games.

"I was hoping to give a run-out to all 18 players but FIFA regulations only allow six substitutions in friendlies. My plan is to make use of all substitutions during the game."

In the absence of Haber, who chose to skip this match to concentrate on his commitments with Belgian second division club Royal Virton, veteran Mario Muscat should get the no.1 jersey today.

Andrew Hogg, of Pietà, can also look forward to his first appearance for Malta as Fitzel declared that the two goalkeepers in his squad will play a half each.

Dimech's position at the heart of defence is expected to be filled by Marsaxlokk team-mate Steve Wellman who started Malta's last two qualifiers at left-back.

Assuming that Wellman partners Brian Said in the centre, the vacant left-back role is likely to go to Ian Azzopardi. Ian Ciantar, of Sliema, is also a contender for a starting place in defence while Birkirkara's Kenneth Scicluna is expected to be confirmed at right-back.

On the back of their excellent showing against Hungary, Michael Mifsud and Andrè Schembri, who stole the show with his clinical brace in the last qualifier, look a solid bet to retain their place in attack.

In midfield, Fitzel may be pondering some changes. It remains to be seen if skipper Gilbert Agius, now only five matches away from his 100th Malta appearance, will lead the team from the start after his inclusion in the squad had looked in doubt due to physical problems.

Birkirkara's George Mallia and Jamie Pace, the Marsaxlokk midfielder, are widely expected to be confirmed in Fitzel's line-up but Kevin Sammut's first-team status today looks to be in jeopardy.

Gleaning information from Fitzel about his choice of personnel is a next-to-impossible task as the Czech waits until a few hours before kick-off to announce his formation.

Yet, the indications from training are that Ivan Woods, the versatile Sliema Wanderers player, is in line to regain his place in the first team after suspension ruled him out of the victory over Hungary.

Whichever team Fitzel selects, he will expect nothing but a bold and lively performance from his players.

That will surely be needed if Malta are to have a chance of upsetting a Lithuania team who are also on a high after collecting four points from their opening three Euro 2008 Group B qualifiers, including a 1-1 draw with Italy.

"Lithuania adapt their game according to the level of the opposition," Fitzel said. "Their best performance came in a 1-1 draw away to Italy. Lithuania then lost 2-1 at home to Scotland and won 1-0 in Faroe Islands in their last qualifier.

"From what I've read, Lithuania could have five regulars missing for this friendly. That means that the ones who will replace them will give their all to leave a good impression."

In October's FIFA rankings, Lithuania were ranked 70th, 41 places above Malta.

"It's going to be an interesting challenge against Lithuania," Fitzel added. "We had a break and some players are still recovering from injuries. I gave the players some time off but we've been preparing for this match for the past three weeks.

"Some players looked really motivated in training but I sensed that others were treating this match as just a normal fixture, which is wrong.

"I hope that the players coming into the team will bring fresh enthusiasm and fighting spirit."

Mifsud limelight

One Maltese player who will surely be at the centre of attention today is Michael Mifsud. The English sporting media have developed a keen interest in the 25-year-old striker after it emerged that several English clubs are willing to sign him in January.

Capped 43 times by Malta, Mifsud, whose contract with Norwegian club Lillestrom ends next month, is widely regarded as a crucial player for the national team.

Fitzel is backing Mifsud to put aside all the speculation surrounding his future and give another reminder of his extraordinary talent against Lithuania.

"Mifsud had good games against Bosnia (2-5) and against Hungary," Fitzel commented. "I am convinced that if he repeats his Hungary performance against Lithuania, he will only boost his chances of securing the move he wishes.

"Moreover, I believe that the position Mifsud plays for Malta is best suited for his qualities."

Malta's formation (probable)

M. Muscat, B. Said, S. Wellman, I. Azzopardi, G. Agius, K. Scicluna, M. Mifsud, I. Woods (K. Sammut), G. Mallia, A. Schembri, J. Pace.

Referee: Brian Lawlor (Wales).

Previous match

(11-02-2002 Rothmans Tournament)

Malta vs Lithuania 1-1