Hefti to miss Luxembourg clash

Liechtenstein coach Ralf Loose has kept faith in experience after naming a 20-man squad for next week's friendly against Luxembourg.

Goalless draw
Loose has named virtually the same squad that pulled off a surprise goalless draw against Northern Ireland last month for the clash with Allan Simonsen's Grand Duchy outfit next Wednesday.

"No surprises"
Defender and former captain Patrick Hefti is Loose's only absentee. He is unavailable as he cannot get the time off work. "There are no surprises in the team," said Loose. "Apart from Patrick Hefti, who unfortunately cannot join us, all the players from the previous squad are on board. There is nothing to change. The players have to show good performances for their clubs. Those players who are not playing regularly will not be selected."

Positive result
Despite last month's positive result against the Irish, Loose has warned his players that they can expect a tough match in Hesperange. "In away games we have never won any points and Luxembourg will give their all to beat us," said the 37-year-old. "The best known player of Luxembourg is Jeff Strasser who plays for 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the 1. Bundesliga, but besides him, I don't know anybody."

"No prizes for beauty"
Loose added that determination would be the key to victory. He said: "There are no prizes for beauty, you can't compare friendly games between national teams with test games between the clubs. We have use each match, to bring a positive and respectable result." Liechtenstein failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and are in EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 7 alongside Turkey, England, Slovakia and F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Liechtenstein squad
Heeb, Jehle, Gigon, D Hasler, M Nigg, Ospelt, Ritter, Stocklasa, M Stocklasa, Wolfinger, Zech, M Beck, Buchel, Burgmeier, Gerster, T Nigg, Telser, T Beck, Buchel, Fabio D'Elia.