Held punishes Maltese duo
Sunday, February 9, 2003
Article summary
Malta coach Siegfried Held has omitted two key players from the squad to face Kazakhstan.
Article body
Malta coach Siegfried Held has omitted two key players from the national squad to face Kazakhstan on Wednesday as the side prepare for their UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against France in March.
Discliplinary measure
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia midfield player Stefan Giglio and 1. FC Kaiserslautern striker Michael Mifsud have been left out of the 20-man squad as a disciplinary measure after both men refused to travel to play a Balearic Islands side last December.
Strict Held
Held said: "Every player should be proud to play for his country. Both Giglio and Mifsud decided to skip the Mallorca trip and I decided to hand them a yellow card and dropped them from the squad preparing for the game against Kazakhstan."
Bogdanovic in
There was brighter news for Daniel Bogdanovic, who has been included, along with the recalled Simon Vella of Scottish side Airdrie United FC.
Malta squad
Darmanin, Muscat; Chetcuti, Ciantar, Mamo, Said, Debono, Dimech, Vella; Brincat, Camilleri, Turner, Camenzuli, Mallia, Carabott, Holland; Bogdanovic, A Mifsud, Miguel Mifsud, Nwoko.
