Ghedin says Malta will still go for a positive result despite loss of players

National coach Pietro Ghedin is still optimistic that his side will be able to register a positive result against Lithuania this evening despite the loss of four players through injury or suspension.

Strikers Michael Mifsud and Jean Paul Farrugia as well as midfielder Bjorn Kristensen had to withdraw from the squad through injury, while Balzan midfielder Ryan Fenech is suspended, although still available for next Sunday’s clash against Slovakia.

The Italian mentor, who will be terminating his stint as Malta coach next Sunday after the Slovakia match, said he had called Johan Bezzina of Hibernians as a replacement, but he did not call up another promising Hibernians midfielder Jurgen Degabriele because he is one of the key players in the Under 21 squad.

Ghedin said the loss of such players, especially the two strikers, on the eve of this match, is certainly a big blow for Malta.

“But we will have to go on. We know that it is an important match for us because it’s our best chance to collect a point or the three from the remaining two matches.

“We also know that Lithuania are an improved side. They have a good number of players playing abroad and I am expecting them to come here in search of a victory,” said the Italian coach.

Ghedin added: “Despite the injury and suspension setbacks, life has to go on. I assure everyone that we are ready – together – to give our best to come out of the ordeal with flying colours.

“We will not be playing a defensive match. For me a balanced team is more important and that is what I have planned for this match. I will be putting the best players available in the right position. We are a family, we play together,” he said.

Former Birkirkara defender Zach Muscat, now playing in Italy with US Arezzo, also said that the intention was to get our first point/s from this encounter. “We know our capabilities. We also know we made a number of mistakes in the last two matches against England and Scotland. We are determined to avoid more mistakes,” he said.

Muscat went on to say that he was convinced that despite everything, Malta could overcome this last but one hurdle. “There is a good atmosphere in the dressing room and that should lead us to produce a good performance,” he added.

Muscat thanked Ghedin for introducing him in the national team earlier in his career. “Now that I am playing in Italy, I focus on the national team on such occasions, but while there, I am always thinking of how I can represent Malta in the best way possible,” he said.

Malta squad

Goalkeepers:

Henry

Bonello (Valletta); Andrew Hogg (Hibernians).

Andrei Agius (Hibernians); Cain Attard (Birkirkara); Steve Borg (Valletta); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Clayton Failla (Hibernians); Sam Magri (Ebbsfleet United, England); Zach Muscat (US Arezzo, Italy); Daniel Zerafa (Ħamrun Spartans); Joseph Zerafa (Valletta FC).

Clyde Borg (Floriana); Paul Fenech (Balzan); Luke Gambin (Luton Town, England); Steve Pisani (Floriana), J. Bezzina (Hibernians).

Siraj Arab (Ħamrun Spartans); Alfred Effiong (Balzan); Lydon Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Andrè Schembri (Apollon Limassol, Cyprus).