Canada To Play Friendly In Malta

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced Canada’s Men’s World Cup team will play a full international “A” friendly against Malta in the capital city of Valletta on Wednesday, November 14.



“We have been attempting to organize a friendly in Europe for some time now and we are delighted that the Malta Football Association has agreed to play us in their country,” said Canadian head coach Holger Osieck. “Malta has developed tremendously over the last few years and has recently posted some respectful results. They are coached by the ex-German national team player Sigi Held.”



Malta dropped a 3-2 decision to the Czech Republic in Prague on September 5 in World Cup Qualifying and will play their final qualifying game at home to Northern Ireland on October 6. Canada has never played Malta at the senior international level in its history.



Osieck is expected to release a roster of 16 players for the friendly later next month, as he begins his preparations for defending the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played January 19 – February 3 in the United States. The groups and venues have yet to be determined.