Malta face Slovakia in Ghedin’s last match at the helm

Pietro Ghedin’s second term at the helm of the national team comes to an end this evening in Bratislava when Malta faces Slovakia in the last match of the 2018 World Cup qualifying group.

It will be a difficult match for the local boys, with Slovakia in full force in search of victory to try and snatch the second spot in the group and enter the playoff stage.

England has already won group F and obtained the qualification for the Russian event with a late winner at Wembley against Slovenia on Thursday.

But the fight for second place is intriguing to say the least with Scotland on 17 points facing Slovenia in Ljubljana in the last match tonight, with Slovenia on the fourteen-point mark. On their part Malta’s opponents tonight are on 15 point and will try to grab the points against Malta, and wait eagerly for a Slovenian triumph over Strachan’s team to obtain second place behind England.

So it will not be an easy task for the locals who on Thursday at Ta’ Qali obtained the first point in the group after a 1-1 draw with Lithuania.

Pietro Ghedin is forced to make some changes in this last match since defender Zach Muscat received a booking against Lithuania and is suspended tonight.

However Ghedin welcomes back Balzan midfielder Ryan Fenech who was suspended against Lithuania.

Malta’s main problems lie in attack were strikers Michael Mifsud and Jean Paul Farrugia are still missing and did not make the trip to Bratislava, as was the case with midfielder Bjorn Kristensen.

Cyprus based Andre Schembri made the trip but is still a doubtful starter for tonight. Schembri had to be substituted at half time against Lithuania after suffering a violent head clash with Girdvainis, with Schembri needing five stitches.

Pietro Ghedin has the following squad for his disposal this evening.

Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello (Valletta); Andrew Hogg (Hibernians).

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

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

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