Malta are poised for a baptism of fire in the 2011/13 UEFA U-21 Championship qualifying round as they take on Finland in Valkeakoski this evening (kick-off 6 p.m.) followed by another away match against Lithuania on Tuesday, but coach Ray Farrugia is typically upbeat.
“It’s important that our performances in these opening two games are good but we must also think about the result,” Farrugia told The Times.
“Ultimately in football it’s the results that count.”
For Farrugia and his assistant Ronald Vella, today’s Group Two qualifier represents their first competitive match since assum-ing the reins of the U-21 squad in January.
Having steered the U-21s to a series of encouraging results in his previous four-year spell at the helm, Farrugia looks to have already succeeded in instilling a positive atmosphere in the dressing room.
The team’s tenacious display in a 1-1 friendly draw against Montenegro in March heigh-tened hopes of a revival.
“The Montenegro game gave us a clear picture about the players’ physical condition,” Farrugia said.
“In the last two-and-a-half months, we have improved physically and the team spirit is better. This is a good squad and I’m confident that we can aspire to gain some good results in these qualifiers.”
Farrugia admitted that he’d have liked to have one of the opening two games at home but was not prepared to make a big fuss about it.
“I would have preferred to play one of these two games at home but the calendar is that and we have to respect it,” Farrugia said.
“We know that Finland and Lithuania away are two tough games for us but we’ve prepared well. I prefer to look on the positive side of things. From the first training session, Ronald Vella and I realised that this is a valid U-21 squad. There’s a good balance.
“The players have had a long season but they had the opportunity to make a good recovery before stepping up preparations for these games. I believe we can do well.”
Since arriving in Finland on Tuesday, the 19-man Malta U-21 squad have had a number of training sessions, including one at the Tehtaan Kenttä stadium, the match venue, yesterday evening.
Midfielder Mark Scerri is ruled out by suspension but otherwise Farrugia has a full squad at his disposal.
Malta U-21 formation: S. Sultana, Z. Muscat, Y. Camilleri, O. Bugeja, M. Gauci, R. Muscat, C. Borg, T. Caruana, L. Grech, M. Ciantar, T. Vella.
Referee: Sergei Tsinkevich (Belarus FA).