Hogg, Cohen miss out on squad

National coach Dusan Fitzel yesterday named his 20-man squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers in Norway, on Saturday (kick-off 8.05 p.m.), and in Bosnia four days later.

The Czech was only required to drop two players from the provisional list he had announced last week.

Three goalkeepers were included in that first list but Fitzel has taken a gamble by retaining only two in his travelling party.

Pietà Hotspurs' netminder An-drew Hogg has been omitted but remains on standby.

Given that Malta face Bosnia only a few days after their clash with Norway, Hogg would be summoned to join the squad in Sarajevo if either Justin Haber or Mario Muscat suffer injury or suspension ahead of Wednesday's qualifier.

Besides Hogg, the other player who missed out on selection was Andrew Cohen. The Hibs striker failed to show his best form at club level, according to the coach.

Fitzel's squad is likely to have been greeted with relief by Haber.

A top performer in Malta's last two Euro 2008 qualifiers, away to Moldova (1-1) and at home to Greece (0-1), Haber's fortunes have dipped in the last two months after losing his place in Marsaxlokk's first team.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper played no part in Marsaxlokk's last five matches in the league but Haber's experience at international level is likely to have swayed Fitzel's decision in his favour.

However, Muscat, who has been in excellent for FA Trophy winners Hibs in the last two months, looks to have a slight edge over Haber for the no.1 jersey in Saturday's qualifier.

Fitzel also decided to take a risk on Daniel Bogdanovic for what promises to be two gruelling outings.

The 2006/07 Premier League top scorer is currently nursing a slight knock on the knee but the MFA medical staff are hoping that he will be 100 per cent by the time Malta play Norway.

As might have been expected, defender Luke Dimech and Roderick Briffa were included in the squad despite both being ineligible to line up on Saturday because of suspension.

Skipper Gilbert Agius is set to play his 100th match at the Ulleval Stadium while the only uncapped player in the squad is Msida St Joseph defender Josef Mifsud.

The Maltese will have another light training session this morning. They will board a scheduled Air Malta flight to Oslo in the afternoon. On Sunday morning, the squad will fly out to Sarajevo via Munich.

Malta are second from bottom in Group C with four points from five matches, two ahead of Moldova who have two from six.

Turkey lead with 13 points, one ahead of Greece. Norway and Bosnia are level in third place on seven points, one ahead of Hungary.

Meanwhile, Norwegian newspapers yesterday reported that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 34, is definitely out of Saturday's qualifier after complaining of pain in his knee.

The Manchester United striker has missed his country's last two qualifiers through injury and is struggling to be fit for Wednesday's match, also at home, against Hungary.

"Ole will train separately before next Saturday and will then join the rest of the squad to be with the boys," Norway coach Age Hareide was quoted as saying yesterday.

"He felt some pain in his knee.

"It's not possible for him to train with a football at the moment."

This week, a crew from TV2 Norway were in Malta to produce a series of features on the national squad and local football in general.

They visited various locations on the island and also filmed parts of Malta's training session on Tuesday evening.

Malta's 20-man squad

Goalkeepers: Justin Haber (Marsaxlokk - 19 appearances); Mario Muscat (Hibernians - 60).

Defenders: Ian Azzopardi (Floriana - 22); Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara - 17); Luke Dimech (Marsaxlokk - 47); Josef Mifsud (Msida SJ - 0); Peter Pullicino (Marsaxlokk - 17); Brian Said (Sliema Wanderers - 71); Kenneth Scicluna (Birkirkara - 8); Stephen Wellman (Marsaxlokk - 15).

Midfielders: Gilbert Agius (Valletta - 99); Roderick Bajada (Sliema - 6); Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara - 13); George Mallia (Birkirkara - 50); Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk - 10); Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk - 16).

Forwards: Daniel Bogdanovic (Marsaxlokk - 18); Michael Mifsud (Coventry City - 47); Andrè Schembri (Marsaxlokk - 8); Ivan Woods (Sliema - 25).