For Pietro Ghedin, today’s friendly against Liechtenstein (kick-off: 7 p.m.) represents an opportunity for his team to show further improvement and also to give some experience to the young players in his squad.

Malta are still without a point in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign after a 1-0 home defeat to Armenia and away losses to Italy (2-0) and Czech Republic (3-1) but the team did show signs of progress in the last outings.

While the national team earned admiration for a spirited, organised showing against the Azzurri, a stunning Roderick Briffa goal capped a satisfactory first-half performance in the qualifier against the Czechs in Plzen.

“We have to improve all the time,” Ghedin replied when asked to spell out his objectives for today’s friendly at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

“We have to make our presence felt with intelligent play and movement as a team.”

Although the national coach has largely kept faith with the established players in the group qualifiers, he has also signalled his resolve to blood in more new players when he handed Ayrton Azzopardi, the up-and-coming Hibs winger, his debut in the closing stages of the match against the Czech Republic last month.

Today, Ghedin has two un-capped players available, Ħamrun Spartans striker Terence Vella (also in the squad for the Czech qualifier) and Rowen Muscat, the Birkirkara midfielder.

New talent

“There are some new, untested players in our squad,” the Italian coach said.

“We will assess their qualities at this level as they are the ones for the future.

“I hope that the inclusion of these players in the squad offers encouragement to our clubs to give more opportunities to new talent.

“That said, I’m happy to see that more young players are getting a chance in the Premier League.

“Rowen is in the squad for this match. I intend to give him a chance as we want to assess his contribution and attitude on the field. He’s an interesting player.”

The national team’s training scheme has been a bone of contention between the MFA technical centre and clubs for several years but Ghedin reiterated his willingness to co-operate with all parties concerned.

“We are co-operating with the clubs in a positive way,” Ghedin explained.

“We are aware of their demands and objectives and we try to assist them in the most honest way possible.”

The general feeling is that the performances of the national team players in the Premier League over the past month or so have not really vindicated their elevated status in our game.

Ghedin is not totally satisfied with the contribution of his players in domestic competitions.

“I always expect more from them,” Ghedin said.

“Ok, they’re doing fine but I want more. They have to express the potential they have.

“I’m happy with their attitude. I’ve given faith to these players and they’re repaying it. However, I must stress that if there are new players who stand out, we will give them a chance.”

For this friendly, Ghedin must make do without captain Michael Mifsud, who is unavailable, and injured defender Steve Borg.

On the positive side, Andrew Cohen is back after recovering from a dislocated elbow and Clayton Failla has also rejoined the squad after serving a long-term ban.

The absence of Mifsud, the country’s all-time leading scorer, will be seen as a setback but, on the other hand, it gives Ghedin an opportunity to experiment in attack.

“We have been working to im-prove our game in defence and midfield,” Ghedin said.

“For this game, I shall also try to change some tactics. Terence Vella is likely to play in attack.

“We have played 4-2-3-1 so far but I’m thinking of switching to 4-3-3 for this game.

“It’s an opportunity to field some new players and try to understand what roles they fit in best.”

The squad arrived in rainy Vaduz late Monday and yesterday practised at the Rheinpark Stadion, venue of today’s friendly.

Malta have pleasant memories of their last encounter with Liechtenstein as a Mifsud double gave the team a come-from-behind 2-1 win at the National Stadium on February 29.

Robert Gatt, the MFA technical director, was in charge of the team on an interim basis for that particular match.

Malta XI (probable)
A. Hogg, A. Muscat, G. Sciberras, A. Agius, L. Dimech, E. Herrera/A. Cohen, R. Briffa, A. Schembri, C. Failla, R. Muscat, T. Vella.