‘The doors are open to everyone’ said National Teams Head Coach Devis Mangia when asked about his choice of players for this international window. Mr Mangia corroborated that this is however a long-term project and thus one should invest and give space to the younger players. ‘Short term is not my target. At times people tell me that I should focus on just the next game as it will be another feather in my cap especially if we win. However this is not my and my teams’ philosophy’ explained Devis Mangia.
Mr Mangia was speaking during the now established press conference following the announcement of the final list of players. Malta plays two friendly matches; the first against Azerbaijan on the 25th of March and four days later against Kuwait on the 29th of March. Both games will be held at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali and start at 19:00hrs.
‘We will try to do our best in the short and medium term but if we want to change the football in this country we have to look at the future’ continued Mr Mangia. He confirmed that the National Association is investing in the youth sector, and hoping that benefits will be reaped in the future.
The National Teams Head Coach reiterated that decisions are taken every international window and the choice depends on a number of factors. Behind the choice there is also a lot of work. A representative from the technical centre is present during all the games and a report is drawn following each game. Such a report is used to determine the final list. Moreover, background work is being done as regards the players’ nutrition which determines their physical ability, their strength and performance.
