Brincat axed after no-show
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Article summary
Sliema Wanderers FC midfield player Joe Brincat has been dropped by Malta for missing training.
Article body
Decision reversed
Brincat announced his retirement from international football after Malta's 2-1 home defeat by Cyprus in a June UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier but reversed his decision after recovering from a series of niggling injuries.
Coach comments
The 33-year-old was on course to add to his 102 caps but coach Siegfried Held ruled him out when he skipped training. "Brincat did not give me any reason," the manager told uefa.com. "All players must realise they have to work hard to justify their presence in the squad."
Licari in
Held had named a 20-man squad for the Luxembourg game and Brincat will be replaced by Marsaxlokk FC new boy Malcolm Licari. Malta are currently bottom of EURO 2004™ Group 1 with no points from seven matches. They end their campaign with a game in Israel on 10 September.
Malta squad
Darmanin, Muscat, Chetcuti, Dimech, Mamo, Said, Theuma, Agius, Licari, Camenzuli, Camilleri, Giglio, Holland, Miguel Mifsud, Turner, Bogdanovic, Mallia, Adrian Mifsud, Michael Mifsud, Nwoko.
