Pietro Ghedin is eager to see how his players will respond to the physical challenge Northern Ireland are likely to offer in this evening’s friendly at the National Stadium as Malta step up pre-parations for next month’s 2014 World Cup double-header against Bulgaria and Italy.

Malta are yet to break their duck in a tough Group B after a narrow home defeat to Armenia and away losses to Italy and Czech Republic but their showings in the latter two qualifiers as well as the 1-0 friendly win in Liechtenstein suggest that the team are progressing under Ghedin.

“All matches are important for us and this one perhaps has added significance,” Ghedin told reporters at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

“We are facing a tough team but we’ll stick with our 4-2-3-1. Our aim is always to do better and I hope that the players give me positive feelings during the match. I’m willing to assess their efforts, experience and temperament and how they adapt to their roles on the pitch.”

Ranked 98th on the FIFA list, Northern Ireland are not one of Europe’s heavyweights but none-theless they are widely regarded as a valid and fiercely competitive side. They have drawn their last three Group F qualifiers after opening their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Russia.

“Obviously, Northern Ireland are not England but their level is very good,” the Malta coach said.

“They battle and compete, their mentality is different from other European teams but they always have great motivation.

“British nations are different in this aspect and it will be interesting to see if we can match them for dynamism.”

Ghedin must make at least two changes from the team that started the 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein in November as Valletta duo Roderick Briffa and Jonathan Caruana, the scorer of Malta’s winner in Vaduz, are ruled out by injuries.

Steve Borg is a long-term absentee but Ryan Fenech was drafted in the squad in the last minute as a replacement to Daniel Bogdanovic who failed to recover from an ankle injury.

Ghedin yesterday hinted that Paul Fenech is likely to start alongside Birkirkara team-mate Gareth Sciberras in midfield.

“Briffa could be replaced by Paul Fenech,” Ghedin said.

“He has been playing really well in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Edward Herrera should be declared fit to play despite a nagging neck injury.

Ghedin is warning his team to expect a tough test against North-ern Ireland.

“I’ve watched their matches against Portugal and Azerbaijan,” Ghedin said.

“Both games finished 1-1 and were great encounters. No doubt they (Northern Ireland) will offer a strong challenge. We have to be wary of that.

“Most of their players are in the English Premier League or first division... we will try to do our best against them.”

After selecting young Hibs winger Ayrton Azzopardi for the Czech qualifier, Ghedin has named another uncapped player in his list for this friendly – Balzan wing-back Jacob Borg.

“We’re always trying to find new players,” Ghedin said.

“We are willing to stimulate the youth sector at club level and we need to do this for the future of Maltese football.

“We’re in no competition against clubs... our aim is to motivate players and help them. It’s important that our young players know that the door of the national team is open for them.”

Ghedin stressed that the Maltese players must always show that they have the hunger and commitment to represent their country.

“I expect a lot from my players,” Ghedin said.

“They must show character and honour the national team’s shirt. They must have respect for them-selves, the clubs and Maltese foot-ball in general.”

Captain Michael Mifsud, who seems to have regained his full fitness after recovering from injuries, urged the locals to support the team this evening.

“I urge the fans to come and support us,” Mifsud said.

“We are coming from a series of fine performances against strong nations and the results have also been encouraging.

“Our showings against Italy and Czech Republic showed the work we’re putting in to improve.

“The motivation when you play at home is always greater and that’s why it’s important to have the backing of the crowd.”

Previous matches

World Cup
1988: N. Ireland vs Malta - 3-0
1989: Malta vs N. Ireland - 0-2
2000: N. Ireland vs Malta - 1-0
2001: Malta vs N. Ireland - 0-1

Friendlies
2000: Malta vs N. Ireland - 0-3
2005: Malta vs N. Ireland - 1-1

Malta (probable)
A. Hogg, A. Muscat/R. Camilleri, G. Sciberras, A. Agius, L. Dimech, C. Failla, P. Fenech, M. Mifsud, A. Cohen, E. Herrera, A. Schembri.

Referee: Nikolay Yordanov (Bulgaria FA).

Kick-off time: 7.30pm (National Stadium).

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