Defensive tactics ruled out for sparring bout with old foes

It is a mark of how far the Finns have come in recent years that they should be regarded as firm favourites in this afternoon's friendly against Malta at the National Stadium.

Not so long ago, the prospect of Malta locking horns with the national football team from 'ice-hockey mad' Finland would have triggered a wave of optimism. Not any more.

Horst Heese's words when discussing today's encounter from the home team's point-of-view, contained a high dose of realism.

"Times have changed but while Finland have made giant strides forward, our standard has remained the same," Heese said.

Having succeeded Gencho Dobrev in 1988, Heese was convinced that his team would beat Finland in a home Euro qualifier in 1990.

Malta's 1-1 draw with Finland on that occasion failed to appease Heese. Less than a year later, a 2-0 loss to Finland in Helsinki brought his coaching tenure to an end.

Fast forward 14 years. Heese is back at the helm of the national side, now in tandem with Carmel Busuttil. His fifth official friendly as Malta coach will bring him face-to-face with his old foes.

"We need to strengthen our efforts to make the national teams' set-up more professional. I know my players have the determination to do well in every game but there's a limit to what they can do," Heese said.

While the purpose of Finland's visit here is to act as strong sparring partners for Malta in their build-up for the World Cup 2006 commitments against Sweden and Iceland, the hope is that their presence will also serve as a reminder of our failure to maintain the pace with other emerging countries.

Heese insists that the football authorities should explore new ideas to take the national team forward.

"Absurd as it may sound, I believe that the MFA should have its own team, like the MFA XI, competing in local and maybe foreign league."

Although Heese knows that Malta are in a for a tough test against Kolkka, Hyypia, Litmanen and co., he has ruled out destructive tactics.

"Finland are a strong team but we cannot go in there with the intention to defend for 90 minutes," Heese said.

"A containing approach would only invite the opponents to pile the pressure on us. Our priority is to disturb their flow of play."

The German coach has opted to include George Mallia and Luke Dimech, two established players who, for different reasons, have never started a match for Malta since Heese replaced fellow countryman Siegfried Held.

While Mallia came on as a substitute in November's 4-0 rout to Poland and missed the International Tournament because of injury, Dimech asked not to be considered for selection to concentrate on his club career at Mansfield Town.

From the starting formation announced yesterday, the only notable absentee, apart from those under treatment - Noel Turner, Gilbert Agius, Ian Ciantar and Daniel Theuma - is Marsaxlokk striker Etienne Barbara, one of our best performers in last month's tournament. Sliema's Michael Mifsud and Antoine Zahra, the Hibs quicksilver player, will spearhead the attacking drive.

"Barbara has missed the last two matches for his club and work commitments prevented him from training with us in mornings," Heese explained.

Although Dimech spent his first training session with Heese on Monday, the 27-year-old defender did enough to clinch a starting berth.

"My first impression of Luke is very good," Heese said. "Apart from his commitment, I am also pleased with his behaviour and personality."

Dimech and Brian Said will take up the two centre-half roles in a four-man defence with Jeffrey Chetcuti and Ian Azzopardi guarding the flanks. Heese said this could become the team's established defensive set-up if they live up to his expectations.

Prior to the start of the International Tournament, won by Belarus after a 4-0 victory over Malta, Heese had earmarked the Finland friendly as the first real test for his side's progress. His optimism has been tampered by a stuttering build-up.

"This is a very important game. I remember saying that this would be our first real test but how could I envisage the problems we would meet in our build-up?" he asked.

"Our preparations have been disrupted by the usual difficulties associated with the national squad's training scheme. Injuries and work problems for players made it impossible for us to train on the tactical side of our game. There wasn't one session when we had the full squad."

On a more positive note, Stefan Giglio has recovered from a swollen knee and will run the midfield alongside Mallia, Ivan Woods and Claude Mattocks.

Woods has been one of the most eye-catching performers for Pietà in the Premier League but despite his attacking impact, Heese has persisted with his idea of using him in midfield.

"Woods remains in midfield because he did well with Giglio during the tournament," Heese said.

"Mattocks will be deployed on the left. The lad is a real fighter."

Malta's next official commitment after today's meeting with the Finns is a visit to Freiburg, Germany where they will take on the World Cup 2002 finalists on May 27.

According to Heese, the MFA are looking to arrange another friendly next month.

"Dr Mifsud is working on another friendly within four weeks or so but we haven't got any confirmation so far."

Malta: M. Muscat, J. Chetcuti, B. Said, L. Dimech, I. Azzopardi, G. Mallia, S. Giglio, I. Woods, C. Mattocks, M. Mifsud, A. Zahra (Hibs).

Referee: Matteo Trefoloni (Italy).

Returning Dimech keen to stake claim

Striking a balance between country and club is never easy, especially when you are playing in the English league.

Luke Dimech's strong ambition to cement his place in Mansfield Town's first team had him turning down invitations to play for Malta in the last seven months but the former Sliema defender is back in the fray for today's friendly.

"This is my first match for Malta in seven months," Dimech told The Times.

"It's not as if I did not want to turn out for the national team in the last few games but my position at Mansfield demanded that I stayed there when the club had important commitments. I want to secure a better future in English football but my cause would not have been helped by me flying to Malta to play friendlies.

"What really matters now is that I'm here and ready to offer my services to the national team. The coaches wanted me to form part of the team for this match and that's fine by me, especially after receiving the go-ahead from my club."

Heese yesterday confirmed that Dimech will start today's match at centre-half. This is good news for the 27-year-old.

"I have been playing in the centre of defence for Mansfield and I feel comfortable about the flat-back-four system."

A feature of Heese's tenure as Malta coach has been his policy to select players on the basis of their domestic form. Dimech believes that there should not be many squad changes for international games.

"I think we have to be cautious... we cannot afford to experiment with a lot of new players for internationals as there is a big difference between domestic and international football. At the same time, it's encouraging to see various young players coming through and showing that they can do a good job for the senior team."