Lithuania coach wary of Malta’s ‘big balls’ ahead of World Cup qualifier

Lithuania coach Edgaras Jankauskas has warned his players against underestimating the threat posed by Malta ahead of the two countries’ crucial World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Saturday.  

Both Lithuania and Malta are currently at the bottom of their qualifying group, which also includes heavyweights such as the Netherlands, Poland, and Finland.

But with points at a premium, this clash is seen as a must-win for both sides to avoid finishing last in the qualifying campaign, making it effectively a six-pointer.

Malta, under the charge of Emilio De Leo and playing at home, will be eager to seize the opportunity.

Currently ranked 169th in the FIFA rankings – 26 places below Lithuania – Malta are yet to register a point after defeats to Finland and Poland.

Lithuania, on the other hand, earned a respectable 2-2 draw against Finland in their last outing, placing them just ahead of the Maltese side in the standings.

Despite the gap in ranking and results, Lithuania’s head coach Edgaras Jankauskas is not underestimating the Maltese challenge. Speaking to the local press, he referred  the fighting spirit that Malta has come to be known for.

“For those who have watched the Maltese team less, I must say that their main slogan, which greets all opponents, is: ‘Small country, Big balls.’ This is a direct translation from English, and you can see that on the pitch,” he said.

“This is a very fighting and physical team that tries to compensate for its shortcomings with spirit and determination.”

Jankauskas stressed the need for his team to be ready for a physical battle.

“We must be prepared for a tough physical confrontation. I believe this will be a clash of two similar forces, and the team that stays stronger under pressure will come out on top.”

Despite being considered as favourites, Jankauskas was quick to downplay expectations.

“I don’t think about being favourites. We must perform at the same level we showed against Poland and for the first hour against Finland. We need to stick to our structure and remain resilient, especially in difficult moments.”

On Thursday, Jankauskas unveiled his squad for the fixture, reiterating that all focus is on the Malta match.

“Of course, our goal is to win. Based on rankings or other opinions, it might seem straightforward, but I can guarantee you it will be a tough match. I’ve been to Malta, I’ve watched their domestic league, and in my opinion, it is in no way inferior to other important leagues, such as Australia’s A-League.”

He added that the squad selection was specifically tailored to exploit Malta’s weaknesses.

“There are questions about how Malta will approach the game, but we know their vulnerabilities and selected players who can take advantage of them.”

Saturday’s fixture will be the sixth meeting between the two nations. The most recent clash came in 2017 during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, ending in a 1-1 draw. Malta’s only victory against Lithuania came in a 2015 friendly, where they won 2-0.

Lithuania’s squad features some notable names, including midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, who made 30 appearances for Torino in Serie A this season, and goalkeeper Džiugas Bartkus, now playing in Saudi Arabia but formerly with Valletta in Malta, where he made 28 appearances between 2016 and 2017.