New coach, fresh start.

This is the message John Buttigieg has been trying to get across to his players ahead of this evening's friendly against Georgia at the National Stadium, his first match in charge of the national team.

Buttigieg may have only been at the helm for three weeks but by overlooking a clutch of established players, the former Birkirkara mentor has already given a strong indication that he intends to do things his own way.

Early days these may be but Buttigieg yesterday called on the 18 players shortlisted for the Georgia friendly to prove they are deserving of a place in the squad.

"This match is part of our preparations for next month's World Cup qualifier against Sweden," Buttigieg told reporters at the Grand Hotel Excelsior yesterday.

"All games are important for the national team and I expect maximum commitment from my players. Effectively, I have retained the same squad as before. This match is an occasion for the players to show that they deserve to be in the group."

Last month, Buttigieg became the first Maltese coach to take over the running of the national team in 16 years, succeeding Dusan Fitzel who stepped down for health reasons.

Buttigieg has declared himself satisfied with the attitude of the players during training but bemoaned their perennial tendency to lose concentration.

"With the majority of the players, we haven't had any problems," Buttigieg said.

"They have been doing their best in training but sometimes they lose focus. That said, the players are willing to learn and improve."

Although Buttigieg and Carmel Busuttil, his right-hand man, have refrained from overhauling the squad, a sensible decision given that Malta only have two World Cup qualifiers left to play, the new boss plans to refresh things in the near future.

"The plan was for us to start working with the national team in January but we were asked to step in now as Mr Fitzel had to stop," Buttigieg said.

"In future, we intend to introduce some new faces. We will be fair in our selection because the national team's doors are open to all those who have what it takes to represent the country."

Buttigieg's selection for today's warm-up has been greeted with surprise in many quarters after Daniel Bogdanovic, currently playing for Barnsley in England, goalkeeper Justin Haber, who is on the books of Sheffield United, and Etienne Barbara were left out.

On Monday, Valletta defender Luke Dimech, a fixture in the team for much of the past decade and regarded as one of the 'untouchables' during Fitzel's reign, was ditched from the squad along with Hibs' Jonathan Caruana who is struggling with a slight injury.

The Times yesterday reported that Dimech was axed after he refused to heed Buttigieg's order to change the colour of his hair.

Buttigieg wouldn't be drawn into revealing the circumstances leading to Dimech's omission but he did hint that the absence of the Valletta player owes to disciplinary reasons.

"The last two players who, for one reason or another, were dropped from the 18-man squad were Jonathan Caruana and Luke Dimech," Buttigieg said.

"Choosing the 18 players before an internatonal match is a difficult task."

Pressed on Dimech's exclusion, Buttigieg said: "This is a private matter. I spoke to Luke in the dressing room and I'm not prepared to discuss the subject of our conversation in public."

Sources have told The Times that Dimech, who has been given five days off by Valletta coach Ton Caanen, is considering his international future.

During his three-and-half-year reign as Malta coach, Fitzel favoured a 4-2-3-1 approach and occasionally flirted with 4-1-4-1.

Asked if he planned to modify Malta's tactical strategy, Buttigieg replied: "There will be no big changes. I've seen top teams play 4-1-4-1. When the team is defending, all the players are behind the ball but when they attack, all the players push forward.

"Personally, I don't think that systems make that much of a difference. It all boils down to skill and commitment."

Buttigieg is hopeful that the team's performance this evening mirrors his ambition to improve Malta's standing in international football.

"All games are tough and this one is no different," he said.

"But, I expect my team to offer a strong challenge to any team, especially when we play at home.

"I want my players to make it difficult for the opponents as that is the only way for us to gain the respect of other nations."

After a string of excellent results in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Malta have had little to smile about in the current World Cup campaign, gaining only one point from eight qualifiers.

More depressingly, Malta have yet to break their duck, scoring-wise, and shipped in 21 goals.

Buttigieg is not overly troubled by Malta's goal famine.

"We haven't scored in these qualifiers but we have been creating chances," Buttigieg said.

"I remember the qualifier in Sweden (in June) when the team missed at least one point-blank opportunity. Our scoring difficulties may be down to lack of self-confidence and poor finishing but we're trying to address these areas."

Cuper's Georgia

Georgia, Malta's opponents today, are the basement team in Group Eight with three points from seven qualifiers.

The team is led by Argentine Hector Cuper who has had coaching spells with some top clubs, including Valencia and Inter.

In their last competitive match, played on April 1, Georgia held Montenegro to a goalless draw.

Former Juventus and Italy stalwart Angelo Di Livio will be at the National Stadium today, spying on Georgia who host the Azzurri in their next qualifier to be played on September 5.

Malta (probable): M. Muscat, A. Agius, K. Scicluna, S. Bajada/I. Azzopardi, A. Muscat, G. Agius, J. Pace, R. Briffa/K. Sammut, A. Cohen, M. Mifsud, A.Schembri.

Referee: Kailis Panicos (Cyprus).

Kick-off: 8 p.m.