A step towards a dream?

Wednesday's match at Ta' Qali will be the seventh encounter between Malta and Albania. The history of such meetings is fairly recent despite the two countries being European, Mediterranean and a little over an hour's flight apart.

Malta won the first match (friendly 2-1) between the two teams in August 1995, the second one (Rothmans Tournament) being a 1-1 draw. Albania then won the last four matches - the last three of which in Albania and all ending with the same score, 3-0.

The victory on September 10, 2008, in Tirana, was a boost for the Balkan country's team as it meant they were to stay for a month at the helm of the World Cup 2010 qualifying Group One, also featuring European footballing heavyweights Portugal, Denmark, Sweden and Hungary.

Albania has played four matches so far, gathering five points. The most precious was the one toiled for in Braga, Portugal, in a most epic encounter in which the Albanians played with ten men from the 37th minute. The other four points came from two home matches, a draw against Sweden and a victory over Malta.

Another victory on Wednesday would send Albania (though temporarily) head of the group, fuelling the dream of the small nation for a place in the finals in South Africa next year.

In a press conference on Friday, Dutchman Arie Haan did not make a secret of such dream, though he admitted the difficulty of achieving victory at Ta' Qali.

According to him, Albania narrowly pulled through in the first match in Tirana and the 3-0 score was not a reliable gauge of what happened on the pitch.

"We closed 2008 on a high, and wish to start the new year on the same note. We have the chance to do well and we should be doing well," Haan said as he announced his 19-man squad, 13 of whom play in European leagues outside the country.

But, are there problems facing the Dutch coach?

"We obviously have problems as we have Cana (Marseille) and Lala (Hanover 96) out with injury. Bogdani (Chievo) and Beqaj (Anorthosis) are not playing regularly, while three Ukraine-based players, Dalku, Curri and Bulku, as well as Salihi, in Austria, are currently not in action as the league there is in recess.

"But, I honestly say I trust this group I have. Problems would always be there, even if Cana and Lala were with us," Haan said.

The Albania coach was also asked whether his team will play in attack against Malta.

"Understandably, the team is not it its most desired shape, so we would be very happy to win this one," Haan said.

"It is a very important match but, at the same time, an encounter like all the others. We must give the maximum on the pitch and win. Naturally, it is a tough challenge, and a difficult one to be surmounted.

"But, I would not wish to call an upset against Malta as a total disaster.

"We must not think that Albania is Spain, Italy or Holland who can easily win this match 2-0 or 3-0. I trust it will be a difficult match. I want to stress we will play to win, though we know that the Maltese think that their only chance to win points is against Albania. Their motivation will be 200 per cent."

If Albania beat Malta, Haan's team would again be heading the group. That would trigger a dream of seeing the country figuring for the first time in the World Cup finals.

"All of us have dreams and we must live and work hard to make them true. Those who do not dream, do not live. I also have a dream in football. Presently, my wish is the one shared by all Albanians, and you know what I mean," Haan said.

For its part, the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) has gone lengths in an effort to motivate the players for Wednesday's match.

Five thousand euro each is what the red-and-blacks would receive in case Albania beat Malta at Ta' Qali.

Well, 17 years ago that would have been a fortune. But, is it going to make the difference this week, with most Albanian national team players earning bigger amounts from their contracts in Europe?

Albania's probable formation on Wednesday will be: Beqaj; Dallku, Beqiri, Curri, Vangjeli; Bulku, Duro, Vrapi, Skela; Berisha, Bogdani.