Busuttil handed Croatian scouting exercise

Carmel Busuttil, the assistant coach of the national team, has been handed the task of compiling a report on Croatia's senior and U-21 teams ahead of Malta's assignments in Zagreb later this month.

The Times has learnt that Busuttil will be travelling to the Balkan country next Thursday to watch the qualifiers involving the U-21 and senior teams of Croatia and those of Iceland, due to be played on March 25 and 26 respectively.

Four days after their home encounter against Iceland, Croatia host Malta in another World Cup 2006 Group Eight qualifier at the Maksimir Stadium (kick-off 6 p.m.).

The UEFA U-21 Championship game between the two nations is due for March 29 at the Velika Gorica Stadium (kick-off 4 p.m.).

After his scouting exercise, Busuttil, the right-hand man of national coach Horst Heese, will remain in Croatia where he will then link up with the Maltese football contingent who are due to arrive in Zagreb on March 28 on a charter flight commissioned by Mondial Travel, the MFA's travel partner.

In September last year, Busuttil had carried out a similar exploratory job in Hungary when the latter played their home qualifiers against Iceland. Malta drew 0-0 with Iceland in October at the National Stadium but succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to Hungary in their last qualifying match in November.

Sweden top Group Eight with nine points from four matches. Bulgaria and Croatia are joint-second on seven points but have a game in hand. Hungary have six points with Iceland and Malta propping up the table with one point each. The three teams in the bottom part of the standings have all played four matches so far.