Widely acclaimed as Malta’s best player in the 2-1 home defeats to Denmark and Bulgaria last month, Andrè Schembri is determined to carry on where he left off in those two qualifiers when he returns for Malta this evening against Denmark.
Schembri watched from the stands as his team-mates succumbed to a 4-1 defeat to the Czechs but the AC Omonia is back in the fray after serving his one-match ban.
“From a personal perspective, the aim is to build on my performances in the last two matches,” Schembri told Times of Malta.
“I want to reach a higher level of consistency.
“As a team, we’re all motivated to get a result. It will not be easy but we must think positively. Let’s not forget that if we manage to win here, we’ll beat our record of five points in a qualifying campaign.
“We are always determined to do well. It’s a matter of pride, really.
“Besides, playing at this level is a good opportunity to show your qualities. International football can be a stepping stone for all players, especially those with an ambition to play abroad.”
The loss to the Czechs has punctured the feel-good factor generated by the team’s fine displays of late but Schembri is confident that Malta will raise their game in Copenhagen today.
“The day after the game (against Czech Republic), the atmosphere was far from ideal,” Schembri said.
“But, we have since put that upset behind us. The first 15 minutes will be important on Tuesday (today). We usually grow in confidence if we avoid an early goal.”
With 53 appearances, Schembri, 27, is one of the senior players in the current national squad.
Seeing Michael Mifsud, his partner in attack for much of the past eight years, making his 100th appearance for the national team ought to have motivated Schembri to try and emulate his captain’s feat but the AC Omonia forward prefers to concentrate on short-term goals.
“It’s great to reach 100 games for the country,” Schembri said.
“From my side, I prefer to set short-term targets. In the past, I missed several games as there was a time, when Dusan Fitzel was in charge, when I skipped friendlies and after that, I was not part of the squad for a long period under the other coaches.”
For his part, flank defender Alex Muscat is confident that Malta will lift their game, particularly at the back, after a shaky and error-prone display on Friday.
“After the 6-0 defeat to Bulgaria (in March), we improved a lot in the following game (a 2-0 loss to Italy) and in so doing we regained some lost confidence,” Muscat said.
“Here, everyone is motivated to do well against Denmark. We are determined to end this group on a better note.”
Of the four teams – Bulgaria, Denmark, Czech Republic and Armenia – who are vying for second place in Group B, Muscat has been impressed mostly by the Czechs.
“They are all difficult teams but we suffered most against Czech Republic,” Muscat said.
“We conceded three goals away and four at home. Against Denmark, we suffered a narrow defeat and we had chances to score. The game here will be more difficult as the pitch and the weather conditions will favour the Danes.”