Fitzel calls on 'newcomers' to seize their chance

Young prospects and other established players who have been either on the periphery of Dusan Fitzel's first XI or out of the squad altogether, will get the chance to press their international credentials this afternoon when Malta take on Iceland in a friendly at the Hibs Ground.

Keen to increase the motivation of his personnel after a dismal sequence of four defeats in as many World Cup qualifiers, Fitzel is expected to field an experimental team today, a blend of experience and new.

"The aim is exactly that, to try some new players," Fitzel told The Times. "After four defeats in four qualifiers, I believe the time has come to make a few changes and I mentioned this before our last two competitive matches.

"I want other options and this friendly is a good opportunity. The players feel that they are going to be given a chance and I hope they will take it."

This match is shaping up like an audition for several members of the 'new' squad, especially for the likes of Daniel Bogdanovic, Andrei Agius, Alex Muscat and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Bogdanovic, 28, has long been touted as possessing the attributes to become a key player for the national team but his international career has been a stop-start affair.

The Lokomotiv Sofia striker's call-up is his first since the 1-0 defeat away to Bosnia in June last year.

Agius is another foreign-based player, currently on the books of Italian Serie C2 side Igea Virtus. He has been a pillar in the Malta U-21 defence for many years and is widely tipped to make the grade at senior level.

Clayton Failla, of Hibs, has been turning out regularly for the Malta U-21 team while Sliema right-back Alex Muscat is back in the fray after a spate of injuries dogged his progress in recent years.

Birkirkara's Mifsud Triganza has never been capped by Malta but his performances at club level this season have moved Fitzel to award him a call-up.

It looks like the presence of new faces on the training ground has also raised Fitzel's spirits as the Czech mentor only had words of praise for the latest additions to his squad.

"The new ones look concentrated and adopt a professional approach to their training," Fitzel remarked.

"Seven players in our squad were involved in Sunday's Premier League matches and our first proper training session was on Monday.

"The attitude of the players has been positive. For the youngsters who have been in the U-21s, the national team is the next step and I believe this friendly will help them."

Fitzel is likely to name a few experienced players in his team with the likes of Brian Said, Michael Mifsud, Ivan Woods, Andrè Schembri and Etienne Barbara all set to start.

Andrew Hogg is expected to receive Fitzel's nod to guard goal as Justin Haber is one of several first-choice players who have been left out. Gilbert Agius, Jamie Pace, Luke Dimech, Terrence Scerri, Udo Nwoko and Aaron Xuereb will play no part against Iceland.

Mifsud Triganza will not be in the initial formation though as he has just recovered from a minor injury and only came on as a substitute in Birkirkara's 1-1 draw with Marsaxlokk on Sunday.

In light of Malta's depressing record of six defeats in their last six internationals, it seems safe to assume that a satisfactory result today would help to raise confidence but Fitzel seems more concerned with the performance.

"If we were going to play another match in the next three weeks, then you could say that a positive outcome would help in terms of morale but this is not the case because our next competitive game is in February," Fitzel said.

Malta's next World Cup qualifier is at home to Albania on February 11.

Fitzel's tactical blueprint for Malta has been 4-2-3-1 but he also has designs to vary his team's configuration today.

"In training, we've been trying some attacking football," Fitzel said.

"This is not a question of tactics. It's all about possession and that's our biggest weakness."

"I've got a few ideas in mind with regards to tactics but first I want to see how the game develops," Fitzel added.

Iceland may still be bracketed among the minnows of European football but statistics show that their progress in recent decades has been nothing short of remarkable, especially when compared to other small countries, not least Malta.

In Group Nine of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, Iceland are level with Scotland on four points, five behind leaders the Netherlands.

Their next qualifier is away to Scotland on April 1, 2009.

In the latest FIFA rankings, Iceland improved a massive 21 places to 82nd whereas Malta slipped down four to no.150.

Malta (probable): A. Hogg, K. Scicluna (A. Muscat), B. Said, A. Agius, C. Failla, A. Schembri, G. Mallia, I. Woods, E. Barbara, M. Mifsud, D. Bogdanovic.

Referee: A. De Marco (Italy).

Venue: Hibs Ground.

Kick-off: 2.30 p.m.