Malta out to claim Latvia scalp

A new game elicits fresh hope.

Five days after launching their Euro 2012 Group F qualifying campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Israel, Malta will be gunning to open their account when hosting Latvia at the National Stadium this evening.

An error-strewn performance against Israel scuppered Malta’s hopes of attaining a morale-boosting result ahead of today’s qualifier and coach John Buttigieg acknowledged that his team would have to play a lot better against Latvia to stand a chance of getting their first Euro 2012 points on board.

“This will be our second international game in five days,” Buttigieg told a news conference at the Grand Hotel Excelsior yesterday.

“We know it’s difficult for our players to cope with two games in such a short period of time, especially after the exhausting return journey from Israel. It’s hard to recover from such an arduous trip.

“I was not really happy with our performance in Tel Aviv because we committed too many mistakes. We have analysed that match and the players know what they did wrong. We surrendered possession too easily and our errors led to Israel’s first and third goals.

“On the positive side, I was satisfied with the players’ attitude. We must also keep in mind that we have many youngsters in the side and they lack experience at this level.

“I’m convinced that the players will do their best against Latvia and I hope our efforts will result in a good performance and a good result.”

When it was put to Buttigieg that Malta looked particularly vulnerable on the flanks against Israel, he refused to single out individuals for criticism.

“It’s not fair to blame one or two players, the whole team encountered problems,” Buttigieg said.

“All the players must shoulder the responsibility. We found the going tough in the opening 25 minutes but then we began to play better and scored from our first attempt.

“This demonstrated that we have a psychological problem because after the goal, we improved. Israel stuttered in the final minutes of the opening half but they put us under a lot of pressure at the start of the second.”

Although a home encounter with Latvia inevitably heightens hope of a positive result, Buttigieg warned against the perils of underestimating the opposition.

Buttigieg said: “Latvia were in the same group as Israel and Greece in the World Cup qualifiers and finished third, missing out on a play-off by a few points.

“On paper, Latvia are not as strong as Croatia and Greece but that doesn’t mean that they will be easy opponents.”

Malta offered very little going forward in the defeat to Israel as they were forced to play catch-up for most of the time. An attack-minded approach is a must for our team to create scoring chances but Buttigieg insisted that he always encourages his players to push forward.

“We hope to play a more offensive game but that also depends on the opponents’ performance,” Buttigieg said.

“It would be easier for us to attack if Latvia concede space but that is very unlikely.”

Buttigieg’s starting XI today is not expected to differ much from the one he sent out against Israel. However, the Malta coach hinted that there might be a few changes.

Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg is set to keep his place in the side. Andrei Agius and Jonathan Caruana are also expected to be confirmed as the two centre-halves.

Carlo Mamo should hold on to his place at left-back but Edward Herrera is facing strong competition from Manny Muscat who came on for the Hibs wing-back in the latter stages of Thursday’s qualifier at the Ramat Gan Stadium.

The midfield quartet is expected to be the same as in Israel with Jamie Pace and Gareth Sciberras taking up the two central positions and Shaun Bajada and Roderick Briffa deployed on the wings.

Andrew Cohen may come into the team at the expense of Daniel Bogdanovic who made way for the Hibs playmaker in Israel. Captain Michael Mifsud is poised to retain his position as the attacking spearhead.

Mifsud’s on-going delay to sort out his club future has again prompted questions about his status as a first-choice player with the national team. Buttigieg made no attempt to conceal his disappointment at the striker’s situation.

“I know nothing,” Buttigieg replied when asked if he had any news on Mifsud.

“I’m disappointed that he’s still without a club, it’s not a good thing for a player. I hope he signs for a club soon.”

The continued absence of André Schembri from the national squad continues to be met with a few raised eyebrows, especially on the back of reports that the forward capped a lively display with a goal in Ferencvaros’s 3-0 defeat of Gyori last week.

“André Schembri refused to play for the national team six months ago,” Buttigieg claimed. “He insisted on sitting out two important matches because he wanted to concentrate on his club.

“At the time, he was playing in Austria (with Kaernten) but his call-up to the national squad wouldn’t have affected his club career because the top leagues stop when there are international matches.

“We have other players whose clubs are outside the top divisions but still come to play for the national team, even if they have to miss games for their teams.

“Schembri is still in our plans but he must understand that he can’t come to play for the national team only when he wants.”

Astafjevs returns

Latvia’s hopes of getting their Euro 2012 campaign on track with a win over Malta have been boosted by the return to fitness of captain Vitalijs Astafjevs.

The FC Skonto midfielder made a substitute’s appearance in Latvia’s 3-0 home upset to Croatia last week.

Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs is backing his team to bounce back.

“Malta don’t have players of such high class as Croatia,” Starkovs told uefa.com.

“I am sure the hosts will fight hard for 90 minutes and it will not be easy for us, but after a heavy home defeat we have to make it up to the fans and give them something to cheer about.”

Previous matches

Friendlies

26-05-1992: Malta vs Latvia - 1-0
02-06-1994: Latvia vs Malta - 2-0

Rothmans Tournament

08-02-1998: Malta vs Latvia - 2-1

Probable Teams

Malta
A. Hogg, J. Caruana, C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, A. Agius, D. Bogdanovic/A.Cohen, R. Briffa, M. Mifsud, S. Bajada, E. Herrera/M. Muscat, J. Pace.

Latvia
A. Vanins, O. Kļava, J. Laizans, D. Ivanovs, P. Mihadjuks, A. Cauna, M. Verpakovskis, A. Rubins, V. Astafjevs, K. Gorkss, M. Rafalskis.

Referee: T. Asumaa (Finland).

Kick-off: 19.30, National Stadium.