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Our players are pushing themselves to the limit – Farrugia

Published: 23-03-2019 07:30
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Malta coach Ray Farrugia praised the players’ focus and commitment ahead of today’s opening Euro 2020 Group F qualifier against Faroe Islands at the National Stadium (kick-off 18.00).  The two nations are meeting again in a competitive match only four months after sharing the spoils in their final UEFA Nations League Group D3 match following a 1-1 draw last November. “We know our opponents (Faroe Islands) well as we played in the last UEFA Nations League game,” Farrugia said. “It will certainly not be an easy game but we are prepared for it. “We know what Faroe Islands can offer, they have a lot of valid players and the majority of them play in foreign leagues in countries like Denmark, Iceland, Norway and also Germany. “We’ve been together for a few days now and our players know what we want from them. We’re satisfied with our players... they have been pushing themselves to the limit in training. We are looking forward to this match.” After playing the Faroe Islands, Malta face Spain on Tuesday, also at the National Stadium, but Farrugia insisted that the team are focusing on the first game. The 23-strong squad called up by Farrugia and his coaching team for the opening Euro 2020 qualifiers is a mix of experience and youth with several young players, including uncapped trio Matthew Guillaumier (Birkirkara), Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans) and Nikolai Muscat (Gżira United), earning a place in the final selection. Malta defender Steve Borg said the players are determined to gain a positive result in the match against Faroe Islands. “Faroe Islands have a talented squad but we believe in ourselves and this group of players we have at the moment,” Borg said. “We will do everything to get a positive result and, if possible, we gain the three points,” Borg said.