Malta will be facing Scotland this evening at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali in its first qualifying match in connection with Group F of the FIFA 2018 World Cup (kick off 8.45pm).
It is a match which is expected to attract a large crowd to the National Stadium and that will include an estimated 5,000 strong crowd of Scottish fans who have arrived to support their national team.
After the encouraging 1-1 friendly draw against Estonia in Parnu last Wednesday, Ghedin’s Malta side now turns to competitive action, that is, matches which carry points.
Not that we can ever make it to the World Cup finals. Far from it. But everyone expects our national side to obtain some points in these matches, especially the ones played at home.
National coach Pietro Ghedin told reporters yesterday that both the points and the performance were important for him. “Whether we win or not, I cannot say. After all this is a football match and we all acknowledge that anything can happen. But I will be glad to win all the three points or get a draw at least from this match. And I will also be happy to see the team losing, but leaving the Stadium with the players’ heads held high,” he said.
The Italian mentor went on to say that he was sure that his players will be playing their hearts out this evening. “We are ready for this match. We have been preparing hard for it and apart from two players who are still doubtful because of injuries incurred in the Estonia match (one of them is striker Alfred Effiong), I can say the others have recovered well.
“The Scots are a strong team. I like their style of play but I have studied them a lot. They can defend with nine players and attack also with nine. We have to be very cautious,” he added.
Ghedin said he was sure that his players will be able to rise for the occasion. He added: “We are always the underdogs, but that does not mean we cannot win. We must not forget that we are playing at home and we are ready to fight all the way.
“We showed that against Estonia. That was not much more different than a match against Scotland. Estonia have made a lot of progress during the last 10 years and I must say we did very well against them. In fact, after that result (and performance) we are stronger and we will play with more confidence.”
Ghedin could not announce his starting formation, but said he will probably not make any radical changes to the side that played in Estonia, even if striker Alfred Effiong and another unnamed player were doubtful starters because of injuries suffered in that match. “I am awaiting results from the medical staff and when I know their condition, I will be able to make the decisions needed,” he remarked.
Asked about veterans Michael Mifsud and Roderick Briffa, Ghedin said: “They are both part of Malta’s history. Of course, we have to move on. But I expect them to continue supporting the young players in the squad.”
England-based Luke Gambin was also present for the press conference saying that he was enjoying his stint with the Maltese national team.
He said: “It is a great experience for me. I am glad the other players in the squad have accepted me. I feel very comfortable playing alongside these players. There is a great atmosphere among the squad players and I am sure we will be giving our all against Scotland.
I am glad to have been called up to help the team. I am impressed with the level of the players, especially the younger ones. Considering everything, I think we can also beat Scotland.”
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg (Hibernians FC), Henry Bonello (Valletta FC)
Defenders: Andrei Agius (Hibernians FC), Jonathan Caruana (Valletta FC), Zach Muscat (Arezzo FC), Steve Borg (Valletta FC), Ryan Camilleri (Valletta FC), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Gzira Utd FC), Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara FC), Clayton Failla (Hibernians FC)
Midfielders: Paul Fenech (Balzan FC), Roderick Briffa (Valletta FC), Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara FC), Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians FC), Luke Gambin (Barnet FC), Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara FC)
Strikers: Andre’ Schembri (Boavista FC), Alfred Effiong (Balzan FC), Michael Mifsud (Valletta FC), Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers FC)
Photos Domenic Aquilina