3RD MALTA INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL FRIENDLY TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF ON 6TH JANUARY

The Malta Futsal national team under the guidance of national coach Kevin Mifsud has for several months been in the process of fine tuning in the light of competitive international matches ahead. This preparation has been highlighted by intensive work-outs including physical and tactical preparation for the squad which has now been short-listed to 14 from six teams and which includes two goalkeepers.    The forthcoming engagement for our team will be in the 3rd Malta International Friendly Tournament at the Hibernians Sports Pavilion, Corradino, between the 6th and 9th January. Malta will be hosting England, Georgia and Greece, three teams which should provide strong opposition for our lads. The fast tempo of the game and environment, together with quality opponents should offer our public the ideal setting in the closed surroundings of the Indoor Pavilion at Corradino. A sizeable number of supporters is expected at Corradino to give the local boys much-needed backing which could translate into a psychological boost in this high-tempo game.           The Futsal national team coach Kevin Mifsud commented, “this tournament is in preparation of the international qualification matches which will be hosted here in Malta two weeks later. Training has been problematic in these last twelve weeks as the clubs were reluctant to send their players due to the fact that the training sessions coincided with the league matches. Thus the full complement of players could not attend regularly. Training resumed anyway and we will continue to train until Friday in preparation for this tournament. Five key players will be missing, but at the same time we have added to the squad five new faces who debut with the national team in this tournament. We are facing tough opposition, especially Georgia, who are better placed than us in the futsal FIFA rankings, but we will do our best to get a positive result for our supporters.” The fixtures and Malta team players are as follows: MD1 - Sunday 6th January 2013 1500 hours - Georgia vs. Greece1730 hours - Malta vs. England  MD2 - Monday 7th January 2013 1600 hours - England vs. Greece1830 hours - Malta vs. Georgia MD3 - Wednesday 9th January 2013 1600 hours - Georgia vs. England1830 hours - Malta vs. Greece MALTA NATIONAL FUTSAL TEAM & OFFICIALS OFFICIALSMr. MANFRE’ Alex - Vice-President TECHNICAL STAFFMr. MIFSUD Kevin - CoachMr. CALLEJA Leandros - PhysiotherapistDr. CUTAJAR John - Team DoctorMr. SAMMUT Mark - Kit ManagerMr. MALLIA Joe - Team Secretary MALTA NATIONAL FUTSAL TEAM AS ON 31/12/12 GoalkeepersBALDACCHINO Brian - Floriana FCCASSAR Christian - Hibernians FC Defenders / ForwardsBARTOLO Kurt - Floriana FCBRINCAT Daniel - Floriana FCDEL RE Nicola - Balzan FCMANGION Andy - Floriana FCMICALLEF Jesmond - Zejtun Corinthians FCMUSU Dylan - San Gwann FCSAMMUT Gian Carlo - Tarxien FCSALIBA Xavier - Hibernians FCSCIBERRAS Cedric - Hibernians FCSCIRIHA Pio - Floriana FCTARIK Ibrahim - Hibernians FCVELLA Shawn - San Gwann FC