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Mifsud issues rallying call ahead of Faroe Islands match

Published: 19-11-2018 12:15
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Malta captain Michael Mifsud has issued a rallying call ahead of the final UEFA Nations League Group D3 match against Faroe Islands at the National Stadium on Tuesday (kick-off 20.45).  Mifsud urged his team-mates to put the disappointing 5-0 to Kosovo behind them as the Maltese side strive to make amends for that upset with a good result against Faroe Islands. “My duty as a captain is also to motivate my team-mates,” Mifsud, a second-half substitute for Rowen Muscat on Saturday, told www.mfa.com.mt. “The game against Faroe Islands is very important for us and I believe we can get a result. “We need to put the Kosovo defeat behind us. The result was very harsh and the match statistics highlight this but this is in the past now. We need to concentrate on tomorrow’s match. “We are very united and it’s very important to stick together in difficult moments. Hopefully we will end this competition with a positive result.” The mood after Saturday’s heavy defeat was inevitably downbeat but Mifsud is backing the Maltese team to translate their disappointment into determination to obtain a positive result against Faroe Islands. “We need to translate our disappointment at the result against Kosovo into a more determined approach against Faroe Islands,” Mifsud said. “We need to show character. Every player in every position must win the first ball, the second ball, every duel... we must give more than our 100 per cent and, with the quality we have in our squad,I believe we can finish this competition on an upbeat note. “Nevetheless, we certainly can’t underestimate Faroe Islands. They are a tough team to play against and they showed this when we played them away.” Faroe Islands, who lost 2-0 away to Azerbaijan last Saturday, have four points from five matches, two more than Malta. Mifsud, the long-serving captain of the national team and record scorer with 41 goals, also appealed to the fans to rally behind the national team. “I understand the disappointment of the Maltese fans after the Kosovo game,” the Birkirkara forward said. “We accept their criticism, this is normal and it shows that the fans care about the national team, but we need their support. “We need the supporters to be behind us, especially during difficult moments.” Malta’s preparations for tomorrow’s match continue on Monday evening with the official training session at the National Stadium. Defenders Andrei Agius and Steve Borg are back in the frame after suspension kept them out of the Kosovo game but striker Alfred Effiong is out as he must serve a one-match