[attach id=257858 size="medium"]Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat has been recalled to the Malta squad.[/attach]
Malta coach Pietro Ghedin has ended Mario Muscat’s international exile after naming the veteran goalkeeper in his squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Friday.
The 36-year-old Hibs goalkeeper effectively called time on his international career two years ago because of a lack of first-team opportunities under former Malta coach John Buttigieg.
The situation didn’t change under Ghedin, who replaced Buttigieg in May last year, as Muscat had indicated his intention to quit international football in order to concentrate on his club career but he never made secret of his wish to make one final appearance for the national team.
Faced with the withdrawal of Andrew Hogg, sidelined with a back problem, Ghedin decided he needed an experienced goalkeeper to provide back-up for Justin Haber and duly invited Muscat to join the squad for the trip to Armenia.
Glenn Zammit, who has had a very good season with Sliema Wanderers after coming in for the injured Henry Bonello, has earned his first call-up as Ghedin will take three goalkeepers to Armenia.
“I’ve called Mario Muscat because he guarantees security,” Ghedin said of his decision to recall the Hibs custodian.
“If we need him to step in, he will be ready because he’s a very experienced goalkeeper.
“I have faith in Glenn Zammit who has done very well with Sliema this season but he has no experience at international level.
“Nevertheless, Zammit has been rewarded for his efforts as he’s in the squad for the Armenia qualifier.”
Ghedin is understandably satisfied that Muscat, who has made 68 appearances for Malta, has heeded his call to rejoin the squad after a long absence.
“Mario said yes immediately,” Ghedin commented. “There were no problems... I believe it’s a pleasant thing for him.
“He’s on a high after winning the FA Trophy with Hibs.”
Asked if Muscat’s call-up is a one-off, Ghedin said: “You never know. He’s with us now and then we will see.”
Malta’s qualifier in Armenia comes after a long, exhausting domestic season but Ghedin is pleased with the physical condition of his players.
“We played a friendly game against a Gozo Selection and the performance was fine,” Ghedin said. “There were a few minuses but all the players in the squad took part in this match.
“It was a useful test.”
Apart from Zammit, a host of other newcomers are in Ghedin’s party, including Tarxien’s right-back Justin Grioli and Sliema defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino while Birkirkara striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza is back in the frame.
Defender Andrei Agius had been included in Ghedin’s selection but he’s expected to pull out after his Italian club Latina reached the Prima Divisione play-off final.
Latina beat Nocerina 1-0 in yesterday’s home leg for a 1-1 aggregate draw but the Rome club went through after finishing higher than Nocerina in the Prima Divisione B standings.
Latina will meet Pisa in the promotion play-off final with the first leg scheduled for Sunday.
Forward Daniel Bogdanovic, who last month cancelled his contract with Valletta to focus solely on his recovery from injuries, was training regularly with the national squad but has been left out of the squad for Friday’s qualifier for technical reasons.
Malta, who lost 2-0 at home to Italy in their last qualifier back in March, are still without a point after five qualifiers.
Armenia’s solitary win in their opening four games came at Malta’s expense in September.
Italy lead Group B with 13 points, three ahead of Bulgaria with the Czech Republic third on eight points.
Denmark are fourth, two points behind the Czechs.
U-21 head to Poland
Meanwhile, the Malta U-21 squad will travel to Poland tomorrow ahead of their opening 2013-15 Euro U-21 Group 7 qualifier in Krakow on Thursday.
Coach Ray Farrugia’s 18-man squad features two players who have just been granted Maltese citizenship, namely Louis Cutajar, who is based in England, and Australian youngster Jayke Cuschieri.
Apart from Poland, Malta’s other opponents in Group 7 are Sweden, Turkey and Greece.
The squads
Malta ‘A’
Goalkeepers: J. Haber (Birkirkara); G. Zammit (Sliema Wanderers); M. Muscat (Hibernians).
Defenders: J. Borg (Balzan); A. Muscat (Sliema); C. Failla, R. Camilleri (both Hibs); L. Dimech, J. Caruana (both Valletta); J. Grioli (Tarxien Rainbows); C. Gatt Baldacchino (Sliema).
Midfielders: R. Briffa (Valletta), E. Herrera, G. Sciberras, P. Fenech, R. Muscat (all Birkirkara); S. Bajada (Sliema).
Forwards: J.P. Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara); M. Mifsud (Valletta); A. Cohen (Hibs); T. Vella (Ħamrun Spartans); A. Schembri (O. Nicosia).
Under-21
Goalkeepers: J. Borg (Żejtun Corinthians); Y. Cini (Valletta).
Defenders: C. Grech (Pietà); L. Cutajar (Norwich United); J. Cuschieri (Brisbane FC); R. Camenzuli, Z. Muscat (both Birkirkara); M. Tabone (Vittoriosa); S. Borg (Floriana).
Midfielders: R. Scicluna (Birkirkara); B. Kristensen (Hibs); C. Borg, B. Farrugia (both Floriana); T. Agius (Pietà); J. Pisani (Pietà).
Forwards: J.P. Farrugia (Hibs); S. Pisani (Floriana); L. Micallef (Vittoriosa).