The response of Maltese players to the scathing criticism of fans and certain critics in the wake of their 2-0 upset against Israel at Ta' Qali on Saturday has been to impose a media silence.
David Carabott, the Malta skipper, told local journalists attending yesterday morning's training session at the Ta' Qali grounds, namely John Busuttil of In-Nazzjon and Net TV and yours truly, that the members of the squad had resolved not to give any comments to the media in the light of what he described as disparaging comments aimed at the national team.
"We feel that our efforts are not being appreciated by the majority of the sporting public, judging by their comments in TV vox pops in the aftermath of our defeat to Israel.
"We also feel offended by the scything comments made by one particular critic in a TV sports programme during the weekend.
"Moreover, we were also deeply hurt by the boos and jeers that accompanied Chucks Nwoko's substitution against Israel. In the light of these attacks on the players, we have decided against giving any comments to the media," Carabott said when asked to explain the reasons behind the players' boycott stance.
Earlier one prominent member of the national squad took issue with widespread questions about the players' commitment on Saturday.
"We have our pride and dignity. When we pull on the national team's shirt, we try to do our utmost to do well," he said.
"Furthermore, good results in international matches carry significant financial rewards. Suffice to say that we were promised a Lm1,000 bonus if we gained a draw against Israel. How's that for motivation?"
Meanwhile, Valletta's Gilbert Agius was the only notable absentee from training yesterday morning.
Coach Sigfried Held explained that the Valletta midfielder was given leave to be near his wife who was expected to give birth to their first child.
Held said that Mario Muscat and Nwoko picked up slight knocks on Saturday but was upbeat about their chances of proving their fitness ahead of tomorrow's clash.
The German also hinted that he will stick with the Michael Mifsud-Nwoko attacking tandem despite their low-key performance against Israel.
Stefan Giglio, the Lokomotiv Sofia midfielder who missed Saturday's qualifier because of suspension, will make an immediate return to the starting line-up if he is 100 per cent fit, Held said.
It also emerged yesterday that national squad members Antoine Zahra and Michael Spiteri, of Birkirkara, are close to making their comeback to competitive football.
Zahra, in the final stages of his rehabilitation from a cruciate injury, is expected to play a part in his team's match against Marsa on November 3 and could even start the following match against Sliema.
Spiteri also expects to be fully fit for the crunch encounter against his former club Hibernians on October 25.