Woods in Malta squad for Latvia qualifier

As anticipated, national coach John Buttigieg effected little if no changes for Malta’s second 2012 European Championship Group F qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday when naming Ivan Woods in his squad yesterday, the only new face from the previous match played last Friday against Israel.

Woods, 33, has just changed club following his transfer move from Sliema Wanderers to Premier League rivals Floriana. He played 43 times for the national team and replaces Paul Fenech in the Malta squad for the Latvia match.

Fenech, the Birkirkara midfielder, made the trip to Tel Aviv last week but played no part in Malta’s 1-3 upset to Israel. With no injuries reported, the minor change in squad was probably down to tactical changes by Buttigieg.

Tuesday’s match against Latvia will be played at the National Stadium and starts at 7.30 p.m.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg, Mario Muscat.

Defenders: Edward Herrera, Carlo Mamo, Clayton Failla, Massimo Grima, Jonathan Caruana, Mannie Muscat, Andrei Agius.

Midfielders: Jamie Pace, Shaun Bajada, Ivan Woods, Gareth Sciberras, Roderick Briffa, Ryan Fenech.

Forwards: Andrew Cohen, Michael Mifsud, Daniel Bogdanovic.