Kevin Azzopardi
Agius, Muscats back in frame for Sweden qualifier
National coach Buttigieg returns from fleeting Hungary visit
Back in contention... Gilbert Agius has been named in Malta's squad for the Sweden qualifier after recovering from a thigh strain. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.
Gilbert Agius, Alex Muscat and goalkeeper Mario Muscat have been called back into Malta's squad for Wednesday's home World Cup qualifier against Sweden.
Malta coach John Buttigieg has elected to make three alterations from the 18-man pool he selected for Friday's international friendly against Cape Verde who won 2-0.
Agius, the veteran Malta captain, and Alex Muscat sat out Friday's warm-up to aid their recovery from slight injuries and the duo have since received the medical go-ahead to be in the squad for Wednesday's tie at the National Stadium.
Confirmation that Agius and Muscat had shaken off their injuries meant that Buttigieg had to drop two players from his previous squad with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Andrei Agius making way for the returning duo.
While Mifsud Triganza's omission is unlikely to be greeted with surprise, in light of the Sliema Wanderers striker's limited first-team opportunities at internatoinal level in the last year, Buttigieg's decision to ditch Andrei Agius is sure to be met with a few raised eyebrows.
Andrei Agius, who plays for SS Cassino in Italy's Serie C2 league, has been widely touted for a regular berth in the national team after a string of fine performances in the heart of defence.
The former Igea Virtus defender left a very positive impression in Malta's 2-0 win over Georgia last month but he only made a cameo appearance in last Friday's lame defeat to Cape Verde.
With experienced defender Luke Dimech still out of the picture due to differences with Buttigieg, Andrei Agius's exclusion means that two established defenders have been overlooked for what promises to be a gruelling test for Malta on Wednesday.
Justin Haber, who guarded Malta's goal in the second half of last Friday's friendly, has also failed to make the cut for the match against Sweden after Buttigieg decided to recall veteran goalkeeper Mario Muscat. The Hibs custodian had been left out of the 18-man squad for the friendly against Cape Verde.
Meanwhile, Buttigieg was at the Ferenc Puskas stadium on Saturday to watch the World Cup qualifier between Hungary and Sweden.
Buttigieg was back in Malta yesterday after travelling to Budapest on Saturday afternoon to run the rule over Sweden.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed a last-gasp winner as Sweden stayed in contention for a top-two finish in Group One with a 2-1 win against Hungary.
The Barcelona striker enjoyed a huge slice of luck when Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Babos saved his shot but could only watch incredulously as the ball bounced over the line off Ibrahimovic's chest.
Sweden had looked as though they would have to settle for a draw in Budapest after a penalty from Szabolcs Huszti cancelled out Olof Mellberg's early opener.
Ibrahimovic's fortuitious goal will have strengthened Sweden's determination to see off Malta and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Sweden, who landed in Malta yesterday afternoon, are third in Group One with 12 points, five behind leaders Denmark and one adrift of second-placed Hungary.
Malta, who suffered a 4-0 defeat to Sweden in the away match last June, are bottom of the class with one point from eight matches.
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Mario Muscat, Andrew Hogg.
Defenders: Manny Muscat, Alex Muscat, Brian Said, Jonathan Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Clayton Failla, Kenneth Scicluna.
Midfielders: Jamie Pace, Gilbert Agius, Kevin Sammut, Roderick Briffa, Shaun Bajada, Ryan Fenech.
Forwards: Andrew Cohen, Andrè Schembri, Michael Mifsud.
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mark bonnici
Sep 8th 2009, 10:48
i predict a minimum score of 4-0 in favour of sweden, probably a 6 or 7 deficit
Paul Zammit Marmara
Sep 8th 2009, 09:06
Dear Mr. Agius
Allow me to join your chorus for the Maltese public to support the national team.
Regret cannot join you because i am stationed in Rome.
How can a Maltese supporter be convinced to support the maltese national team , when from the start we already know we are not at par!!!
The Swedes brought over their best team to beat us.
But we Maltese instead of re grouping our forces NO!!!!
How come we sent home the likes of Luke Dimech, Agius Andrei, Terrence Scerri, Etienne Barabara, Daniel Bogdanovic, etc.....
In Rome Cisco Roma fans still talk of Daniel, now in Rome they are talking about the talent Agius, who made is own name in Italy.
How can the Maltese supporters be comfortable to support the national team next Wednesday when we already know that more then 25% of our first teamers have been ignored and sent home by this NEW Coach/s..... THE SPECIAL ONES!!!!!!
From Rome I say FORZA MALTA
From Rome I encourage the Malta Football Association get their act together and start managing and controlling the "THE SPECIAL ONES"
louisagius
Sep 7th 2009, 17:36
*We Have to back them up , For the first time i am not asking you to join the SOUTH END CORE , i am asking you to join our National team , i am asking you to make your voices heard , What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog. With your help, with your backing , WE CAN DO THIS
louisagius
Sep 7th 2009, 17:36
Our lads could do nothing, they (Cape Verde) were too fast...too strong (physically) and they created havoc in our defence. I personally spoke to some players after the match , they were disappointed by their own performance , their moral was completely shattered, their pride was wounded, but all of them were looking forward to "cross swords" with the swedes , I saw fire in their eyes, they are going out to seek revenge , and all of a sudden my feelings changed, my wounded pride turned into something that i never felt before, ITS NOT WHETHER YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN; ITS WHETHER YOU GET UP !!! , Our players know this and that's why i am asking you people to help them go through this. We need to stand behind our lads, When they lose , we lose , when they win its the whole nation thats won *
louisagius
Sep 7th 2009, 17:35
I know , probably you wont even read this as you are quite disappointed about our National team's performance against the "modest" Cape Verde, or at least that was the opinion of most of us before the match. Yes , i am not trying to find any excuses, our team played a terrible match and yes, like all of you , i am disappointed with the result. After the incredible performance against Georgia, all of us taught that beating Cape Verde would be an easy task, on the contrary this so called "Modest" team taught us a football lesson, a reality check that came right in time before facing the "Giants" of Sweden.*
Paul Chetcuti Marmara
Sep 7th 2009, 13:57
Since when Malta National is ignoring players like Agius???
I have been folowing Agius for these last years.
Agius has made a name for himself in Italy.
Read the Italian News papers, watch TV and start getting to know such things
Appreciate Maltese Talent!!
Edward Borg
Sep 7th 2009, 10:56
How can we measure our local players if we do not even have an on going league??
I think that the coach is simply not capable to deal with the national team players.
Dealing with B'Kara and the Busu school kids is something, and the national team players are something else.
The coach should try to get the respect of the players , by understanding them listening to them and then define a long term strategy. But with this mentality we are going to end up without valuable players in the national squad.
K.Tanti
Sep 7th 2009, 10:47
First we said that to have a better national team, we need players playing abroad. Then our national coach is leaving out these players. I cannot understand how in this small island have the luxuary to leave out players such as Bogdanovic , Luke Dimech, Barbara , Haber and Andrei Aguis. Maybe our standard is increasing so much that foreign based players are inferior
Wilfred Farrugia
Sep 7th 2009, 10:42
Mr. John
Malta does not have the leisure of wasting such talent
You should understand more your players...
Act responsibly for the sake of the Maltese national team
M. Gauci
Sep 7th 2009, 10:31
What is he thinking???
alan cox
Sep 7th 2009, 10:16
can only be described as irresponsible and suicide just wait till wednesday for the massacre and another day to be ashamed for maltese football lovers.
Edward Borg
Sep 7th 2009, 09:49
Can the national coach please explain to the local loyal football followers how come all of a sudden the Maltese National team has the luxury of omitting from the first squad, players like Luke Dimech, Daniel Bogdanovic, Terrence Scerri, Etienne Barbara, now the latest news of Agius Andrei and Justin Haber????
Are we right to understand this is your strategy to develop the national football team.???
With this rate of exclusions we are going to end up without any players as in a span of less then 2 months six valid players with international experience are out of the squad.
Is this an issue of adaptability , leadership skills or it is an issue of stubborness.
This is an alarming situation to the Maltese football we have enough problems on the local scene.
I believe the National football Association needs to address this situation seriously.
What is happening to the Maltese coaching staff.?????
I think that before sending our national coach to attain his football diploma in Italy he should first learn basic leadership and interdependent relationship skills.