Buttigieg relies on tried and trusted players

Malta coach John Buttigieg has essentially kept faith with the players who were in his last squad for the upcoming international double-header, namely the friendly against Angola on Saturday and the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Portugal four days later.

The national coach’s reliance on his ‘tried-and-trusted’ personnel means that a host of established professionals have again been overlooked.

The likes of goalkeeper Justin Haber, now playing regularly for Ferencvaros in Hungary, Barnsley forward Daniel Bogdanovic and Valletta’s Luke Dimech are only conspicuous by their absence from the list issued by Buttigieg yesterday.

André Schembri has also been left out. The SK Kaernten striker, a mainstay in the national team during Dusan Fitzel’s reign, played no part in the 1-0 defeat to Sweden last month despite being in the squad.

Andrei Agius, who plays for SS Cassino in Italy, is also missing from the 18-man list but Buttigieg may add the young defender to his squad for the Portugal qualifier.

Buttigieg waited until after training yesterday evening to finalise his selection as he wanted to check on the fitness of a couple of players who were struggling with knocks. Sliema striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza has pulled out injured while Etienne Barbara, of Hibs, has been dropped.

As reported yesterday, Manny Muscat and John Hutchinson, who play for A League clubs Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners respectively, have been confirmed in the travelling party for Portugal.

Striker Michael Mifsud, still without a club, has also retained his place in the squad while Birkirkara midfielder George Mallia is back after a long absence.

Sliema Wanderers duo Alex Muscat and Ivan Woods are out of the reckoning with thigh and hamstring injuries respectively.

Although Saturday’s warm-up against Angola pales into significance compared to next week’s qualifier against Portugal, Buttigieg yesterday repeated his mantra that every international match is important for Malta.

“Portugal is the main thing but that doesn’t mean that our first match is not important,” Buttigieg told reporters yesterday.

“As I’ve said many times, all games are important for our team and we must take Angola seriously. These are going to be two difficult games for us but I hope that we build on the performances we had in the last few matches.”

Malta Squad

Goalkeepers: A. Hogg, M. Muscat.

Defenders: I. Azzopardi, S. Bajada, J. Caruana, M. Muscat, B. Said, K. Scicluna.

Midfielders: G. Agius, R. Briffa, C. Failla, R. Fenech, J. Hutchinson, G. Mallia, J. Pace, K. Sammut.

Forwards: A. Cohen, M. Mifsud.

U-21 qualifier

Malta U-21 coach Edwin Camilleri has urged his players to roll up their sleeves and give France a rough ride in tomorrow’s UEFA U-21 Group Eight qualifier.

“We have some players who are suspended after getting two yellow cards and another three who are injured,” Camilleri said.

“The situation is a difficult one for our team but the players who take to the pitch on Friday must work overtime to make life difficult for France.”

Tomorrow’s qualifier at the National Stadium will be Malta’s fourth in the 2011 UEFA U-21 campaign.

Camilleri’s boys are still without a point in the group after losing their opening three matches – vs Slovenia (0-2), Ukraine (0-1) and Belgium (0-1).

The match against France, starting at 20.50, will be broadcast live on Melita Sports as well as on French television.