Steve Borg and Clayton Failla are determined to force their way back into the national team fold after being overlooked for Malta’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday.
Malta coach Pietro Ghedin raised a few eyebrows earlier this month when he decided not to include Valletta defender Borg and wingback Clayton Failla, of Hibernians, in his 23-man squad for the match against Slovakia at the National Stadium.
Last week, Ghedin told a news conference that he had no personal issues with either Borg or Failla and stressed that his decision to omit them from the squad was purely technical.
Yesterday, Borg and Failla faced the media for the first time since being left out from the national team.
“The national team is very close to my heart so I was really disappointed not to form part of the national team for the match against Slovakia,” Borg, 28, who has 25 caps to his name, told reporters at Ta’ Qali.
“But in our career one has to be strong and able to take setbacks like this in his stride. We always have to try and react in the best possible way. I know that I can still contribute to the national team and I want to make the most of the remaining matches this season to win back the trust of the national coach.”
Failla said that his absence from the Group F qualifier was a clear sign that no player has his place guaranteed in the national team.
“After playing for the national team for so many years you can fall into a false sense of security and take your berth in the squad for granted,” Failla, who represented the country 51 times so far in his career, said.
“But missing out on the national team selection and the match against Slovakia has only increased my motivation to work harder and make sure I’m included next time.”
Pisani recovery
Jurgen Pisani was another player who sat out of the Slovakia match after a knee injury during training.
Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco yesterday revealed that Pisani underwent an MRI scan and results showed there was no serious injury.
“Jurgen has underwent a series of tests and results have shown that he has not damaged his cruciate ligaments as first feared,” Tedesco said.
“It looks like that he has done his meniscus though and from past experience he could be back in 20 days’ time.
“He is on a special training rehab schedule and hopefully he will be back to play in the cup semi-finals.”
The FA Trophy semi-finals are scheduled for May 13 and 14.