Luke Dimech is looking forward to reviving his international career after being named in Malta’s 18-man squad for tomorrow’s friendly match against Liechtenstein.
For several years, Dimech had been an automatic choice for Malta but the AEK Larnaca defender reluctantly announced his retirement from international football in January 2010 after falling out with former coach John Buttigieg a few months earlier.
Yet, on many occasions, Dimech had indicated his readiness to reverse his decision in the event of an approach from the Malta coach and Robert Gatt, who has taken charge of the side on a caretaker basis following the sacking of Buttigieg, duly recalled him for tomorrow’s warm-up.
“I must admit that it did feel a bit strange when I turned up for training this morning (yesterday),” Dimech told The Times.
“There are a lot of new players in the squad, including some youngsters. There are obviously players that I know but it took me a while to get back into the atmosphere as I’ve been away for more than two years.
“Nevertheless, it’s nice to back and nice to be involved again.”
Ironically, Dimech went on to enhance his reputation as a versatile, unyielding defender during his exile from the national squad as his move to AEK Larnaca in 2010 not only gave him the chance to be part of a professional set-up but also enabled him to experience top-level European football after the Cypriot club featured in the group stages of the Europa League this season.
At 35, Dimech would have been forgiven had he declined the invitation to resume his international career as he has nothing to prove to anyone, but his lingering disappointment at the manner of his omission from the national squad in 2009 motivated his decision to return.
“I was saddened by the way it (international career) ended,” Dimech said, referring to his enduring absence from the squad after being dropped over the colour of his hair prior to the friendly against Georgia in August 2009.
“I never wished to close the national team’s chapter on a sour note. Now that I’ve been recalled, I want to show that I can still play well and that I’m stronger than before.”
Gatt’s decision to bring back Dimech has met with widespread approval but it remains to be seen whether the next Malta coach, likely to be Pietro Ghedin, will select the veteran defender.
Asked whether he intends to prolong his Malta career beyond tomorrow’s friendly, Dimech replied: “It depends on many things. The national team will have a new coach and we’ll have to see what his plans are. It would also depend on my own circumstances.”
Pressed further on his international future, Dimech admitted that he’d find it hard to turn down the national team.
“If the coach calls me and my personal situation allows me to play, I wouldn’t say no,” Dimech observed.
As for his club future, Dimech, whose contract with AEK Larnaca runs out at the end of this season, is keen to keep playing, at least for another year.
“At the moment, I’m concentrating on doing well for AEK Larnaca,” he said.
“I’m working hard to regain my place in the team and improve my chances of earning a new contract. When I return to Cyprus, I will also speak to some agents to explore other alternatives.
“I still feel I have another year of football left in me. I’m fit but I prefer to review the situation on a yearly basis.”
Tomorrow’s friendly is Malta’s first warm-up for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Dimech was in the Malta side that thrashed Liechtenstein 7-1 in a friendly match on March 26, 2008 but he is under no illusion that tomorrow’s game will be an easy ride for the national team.
“As I’ve not been involved with the national team for more than two years, I don’t know the level of the current squad,” Dimech, who has 66 caps for Malta, said.
“It’s a different game altogether. When we beat Liechtenstein 7-1, they had a player sent off after 19 minutes.
“Still, I believe that we have enough quality to cause them problems and get a good result. At least, those are my personal objectives... I’m willing to make a positive impact on my return to the national team.”
Meanwhile, Gatt has picked three uncapped players alongside a host of experienced personnel.
Hibs starlet Bjorn Kristensen, Sliema goalkeeper Henry Bonello and Valletta midfielder Edmond Agius are the newcomers in Gatt’s squad while wing-back Alex Muscat has earned a recall after a long absence due to a cruciate operation.
Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg, who started Malta’s last four Euro 2012 qualifiers under Buttigieg, has been surprisingly left out of the final 18-man party as Gatt opted for Justin Haber, who is on the books of Corfu-based club Kerkyra, and Bonello.
Free entry
It was also announced yesterday that fans will be given a free entry to tomorrow’s friendly games of the Malta A and Under-21 teams.
Malta’s match against Liechtenstein kicks off at 7.30 p.m. at the National Stadium while the U-21s host Hungary at the Hibs Stadium at 3 p.m.
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: J. Haber (Kerkyra); H. Bonello (Sliema Wanderers).
Defenders: A. Agius (Latina Calcio); S. Borg, R. Briffa, J. Caruana (all Valletta); L. Dimech (AEK Larnaca); C. Failla (Hibs); A. Muscat (Sliema Wanderers).
Midfielders: E. Agius (Valletta); S. Bajada, G. Sciberras (both Birkirkara); R. Fenech (Sliema); B. Kristensen (Hibs); G. Sciberras (Birkirkara).
Forwards: D. Bogdanovic (Blackpool); A. Cohen (Hibs); M. Mifsud (Valletta); A. Schembri (Panionios).
Liechtenstein squad
Goalkeepers: C. Bicer (Mersin Idman); B. Buchel (USV Eschen-Mauren); P. Jehle (FC Vaduz).
Defenders: F. Eberle. L. Eberle (both FC Balzers); D. Kaufmann, Michael Stocklasa (USV Eschen-Mauren); Y. Oehri (Vaduz); Martin Stocklasa (FC St Gallen).
Midfielders: F. Burgmeier (Vaduz); M. Buchel (FC Zurich); N. Hasler (Vaduz); M. Polverino (Steel Azin FC); I. Quintans (Balzers); M. Rechsteiner (Vaduz); S. Wieser (Hoffenheim).
Forwards: T. Beck, R. Hanselmann (Balzers); M. Christen (Linth 04); M. Frick (Balzers); D. Hasler (Vaduz).