Malta coach Pietro Ghedin has backed his players to atone for their disappointing performance in Friday's 4-1 defeat to the Czech Republic with an improved display in their final 2014 World Cup qualifier against Denmark at the Parken Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 8.15pm).

"We didn't play well in the last game and I expect a better performance from my team," Ghedin told a pre-match news conference before Malta's training session this morning.

"It's not going to be easy but we have to believe in ourselves."Malta are bottom of Group B with only three points from nine games but Ghedin said he was pleased with the team's performance level in this qualifying campaign.

"This was a very strong group," Ghedin said. "If you look at the standings, there are four teams with basically the same number of points."We achieved some good results, winning against Armenia in the right way. We have given our best."

Although theoretically Denmark can still finish second in Group B, their chances are very slim not only because their goal difference (-1) is significantly inferior to that of Bulgaria (+6), who host the Czech Republic, but also because they currently have the worst record among the nine teams that can reach the play-offs.

Asked for his opinion on the current Denmark team, Ghedin said: "They are good team, one of the best in this group but some of their performances were disappointing."

"They played very well against Italy but were unlucky to draw (game finished 2-2)."

Ghedin is certain to make some changes from the team that started the qualifier against the Czechs as defender Jonathan Caruana is ruled out with a rib injury while forward Andrè Schembri is back after serving a one-match ban.Edward Herrera also looks in line to return for Malta after recovering from the hamstring problem that kept him out of Friday's match.

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