National team arrives in Baku

The Malta national team arrived in Baku yesterday with a chartered flight from Prishtina capital of Kosovo.

Malta will face Azerbaijan on Sunday in the fourth match of Group 3 League D of the UEFA Nations League.

Malta was beaten 3-1 by Kosovo on Thursday, with defender Andrei Agius scoring Malta’s temporary equaliser at the start of the second half.

Also on Thursday Azerbaijan obtained an important 3-0 victory in Thorshavn against Faroe Islands.

On Sunday Faroe Islands will host group leaders Kosovo.

Azerbaijan are trailing Kosovo by two points in the standings and will be going all out for victory against Malta on Sunday to keep hoping of winning the group.

When Malta faced Azerbaijan in October at Ta’ Qali, the match ended in a 11 draw with Malta playing a very good match.

The two points dropped at Ta’ Qali could prove to be decisive for Azerbaijan, who now need to win all remaining three matches to win the Group.

On arrival in Baku after the trip from Kosovo, the national players who did not play in Prishtina effected a short training spin, the first one in Azerbaijan.

Today the whole squad will effect a training spin at the Baki Olimpiya Stadium in Baku, venue of the match on Sunday which will kick off at 6pm Malta time.

Before this evening’s training session, national coach Ray Farrugia will address the press.

Changes are expected to be made by Farrugia for Sunday’s match.

Captain Michael Mifsud who was sent off against Kosovo, will be suspended for this clash, with Jean Paul Farrugia or Alfred Effiong expected to fill in his place.

Other changes could be effected in defence with Joseph Zerafa now available after serving his suspension against Kosovo, and with other Valletta defender Ryan Camilleri who might recover after missing the Kosovo clash because of an ankle injury.