Sciberras ready for Czech test

A month ago to the day ‘tiny’ Malta earned widespread admiration after producing a gutsy performance in a 2-0 defeat to Italy in Modena.

A repeat of that creditable showing would certainly stand our team in good stead in tomorrow’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Plzen but Gareth Sciberras, one of the best performers in the country’s first two group outings against Armenia and Italy, struck a cautious note.

“Morale-wise, it helps that we are coming from a good performance against Italy,” Sciberras told The Times.

“We’ve watched some TV clips from the Italy match and seeing that we had some good moments against such formidable opposition should give us enough confidence to face a strong Czech team with a positive attitude.

“That said, this game will be completely different.

“The Czech Republic are more aggressive and play direct football while Italy were more patient. From what we’ve seen, the Czechs rely on speed when they attack and defend in numbers.

“They have already passed a difficult test after drawing 0-0 away to Denmark. This being their first home qualifier, they will be determined to start on a top note, also keeping in mind that winning the home games is key to qualifying.”

Malta’s difficulties to create openings has inevitably raised concerns about the team’s scoring abilities. Despite firing blanks in the first two qualifiers, Sciberras is convinced that they can hurt opponents on the counter.

“We have shown in other matches that we can compete and also produce some good moves,” Sciberras said.

“If we think only about defending, we would certainly not be helping our case. We can be dangerous with our counter-attacks and, in the past, we managed to get goals against strong teams.

“We did have some good chances against Armenia... we should be optimistic about scoring in our next games.”

As a defensive midfielder, Sciberras’s chief task is to disrupt the opponents’ play and protect the back four while using the ball wisely when in possession.

Having forced his way back into the national team when John Buttigieg was coach, Sciberras has gone on to cement his status as a first-teamer under Pietro Ghedin.

At club level, Sciberras has not only established himself as a key player, his attitude and commitment have also prompted coach Paul Zammit to hand him the captain’s armband.

“I’m pleased that I’ve had a positive start to the season,” Sciberras said.

“I’m settled at Birkirkara and physically, I’m better after the hand injury I suffered in the friendly against Luxembourg.

“I’m also happy to still be part of the national squad after the end of the last qualifying campaign.

“At club level, things are going well and the collective spirit is driving me to give more.”

That was certainly the case last Saturday as Sciberras was a towering figure in Birkirkara’s midfield in a 1-1 draw with league champions Valletta.

Two days after that tense encounter, Sciberras and Birkirkara team-mates Edward Herrera, Paul Fenech and Joseph Zerafa were training side-by-side with the Valletta players as the national squad reported for international duty.

Some might think that club rivalry may have an impact on players’ relations but Sciberras dismissed such notion.

“In the first two days after Birkirkara-Valletta, we obviously talked about the game,” Sciberras said.

“During a game, there’s obvious antagonism on the pitch and we all want to win for our teams but off the field all club rivalries are forgotten.”

With the domestic season entering its third month, the Malta players ought to have improved their fitness levels after taking in more league games.

“Most of the players in the national squad didn’t have a decent break in summer because of the European commitments,” Sciberras said.

“Match practice helps a lot. It is the key to improving overall fitness. After two months of league football, we are in a better physical condition.”

Squad in Plzen

The Malta squad checked in at their hotel in Plzen yesterday afternoon after flying to Prague via Vienna.

Ghedin oversaw a light training session soon after the team’s arrival in Plzen which is around 80 kilometres away from the Czech capital.

In the absence of Branko Nisevic, who is leading the Malta U-19 squad at the UEFA tournament in Poland, MFA youth coach Noel Turner is assisting Ghedin in the Czech Republic.

Robert Gatt, the MFA technical director, is also present.

Dusan Fitzel, the former Malta coach who now occupies the role of technical director of the Czech FA, visited the Maltese contingent yesterday evening.