Futsal national team hosts international tournament

The Malta Futsal national team under the guidance of national coach Kevin Mifsud has for several months been in the process of fine tuning in the light of competitive international matches ahead. This preparation has been highlighted by intensive work-outs including physical and tactical preparation for the squad which has now been short-listed to 14 from six teams and which includes two goalkeepers.

The forthcoming engagement for our team will be in the 3rd Malta International Friendly Tournament at the Hibernians Sports Pavilion, Corradino, between the 6th and 9th January. Malta will be hosting England, Georgia and Greece, three teams which should provide strong opposition for our lads.

The fast tempo of the game and environment, together with quality opponents should offer our public the ideal setting in the closed surroundings of the Indoor Pavilion at Corradino.

A sizeable number of supporters is expected at Corradino to give the local boys much-needed backing which could translate into a psychological boost in this high-tempo game.

The Futsal national team coach Kevin Mifsud commented, “This tournament is in preparation of the international qualification matches which will be hosted here in Malta two weeks later. Training has been problematic in these last twelve weeks as the clubs were reluctant to send their players due to the fact that the training sessions coincided with the league matches. Thus the full complement of players could not attend regularly.”

“Training resumed anyway and we will continue to train until Friday in preparation for this tournament. Five key players will be missing, but at the same time we have added to the squad five new faces who debut with the national team in this tournament. We are facing tough opposition, especially Georgia, who are better placed than us in the Futsal FIFA rankings, but we will do our best to get a positive result for our supporters.”

The squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Brian Baldacchino (Floriana), Christian Cassar (Hibs) and
defenders/forwards Kurt Bartolo (Floriana), Daniel Brincat (Floriana), Nicola Del Re (Balzan), Andy Mangion (Floriana), Jesmond Micallef (Zejtun), Dylan Musu (San Gwann), Gian Carlo Sammut (Tarxien), Xavier Saliba (Hibs), Cedric Sciberras (Hibs), Pio Sciriha (Floriana), Ibrahim Tarek (Hibs), Shawn Vella (San Gwann).

Sunday 6th January 2013
15:00 Georgia vs Greece
17:30 Malta vs England

Monday 7th January 2013
16:00 England vs Greece
18:30 Malta vs Georgia

Wednesday 9th January 2013
16:00 Georgia vs England
18:30 Malta vs Greece