Balearic selection take on Malta in debut match

There will be no points at stake nor any ambitions to improve on the international ranking list when Malta takes on a Balearic Islands selection in a lucrative friendly at the Son Moix Stadium in Mallorca tonight.

However, pride will definitely be high on the hosts' agenda for tonight's game will go down as the first ever international match for the selection representing the Spanish islands in the Mediterranean - Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

Organisers are expecting a large crowd for tonight's match as the Balearic selection, led by none other than former Barcelona stalwart Miguel Angel Nadal, will be eager to mark the special occasion with a positive showing.

A large number of journalists are in Mallorca this week to cover the event. The Maltese contingent, which arrived in the Spanish city late on Thursday evening, was greeted by a host of waiting TV camera persons and reporters. Most of them were disappointed to learn that Michael Mifsud, the Kaiserslautern player, did not make the trip.

Also missing from the Malta squad are Stefan Giglio, of Lokomotiv Sofia, and Shamrock Rovers' midfielder Luke Dimech. Valletta trio Gilbert Agius, Daniel Theuma and Darren Debono are also unavailable.

The Balearic selection includes various players from Liga front-runners Mallorca who are sixth in the standings, 12 points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad. The Spanish league is currently having a short break for Yuletide.

Malta coach Sigfried Held yesterday joined the squad after travelling from Germany where he spent his Christmas holidays. The team had a training session in the morning and last night they practised at the Son Moix Stadium.

At the time of writing, Held had not named his starting formation but the indications from yesterday's training sessions are that there will be no surprises in the Maltese team.

Mario Muscat will start in goal with Brian Said, Jeffrey Chetcuti and Ian Ciantar expected to fill the roles in central defence.

Carlo Mamo and David Carabott will patrol the flanks. The midfield trio is likely to be composed of William Camenzuli, George Mallia and Joe Brincat. Daniel Bogdanovic and Chucks Nwoko will be the two strikers.

The Malta contingent is expected back tomorrow morning.