Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/798939
22 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 15 MARCH 2017 Sport FOOTBALL BOXING TENNIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL ZAMMIT CUTAJAR Malta coach Ghedin names provisional 23-man squad MALTA coach Pietro Ghedin has named a 23-strong squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F qualifier against Slovakia, being played on Sunday, March 26 at the National Stadium (kick-off 20.45). Ghedin's first selection for 2017 contains some significant changes from his last squads for the home qualifier against Slovenia (0-1) and the friendly defeat to Iceland (0-2) in November. "I believe that we've selected the players who are in the best form," Ghedin told www.mfa.com.mt. "The objective is to improve all the time. "Players who harbour ambition to represent their country must give more, especially when play- ing for their clubs. "This squad represents my tech- nical choice after assessing the form of the players in the majority of the BOV Premier League and FA Trophy games over the past months." Jurgen Pisani, the Floriana flank defender, Balzan's Samir Arab and Valletta forward Luke Montebello are the only uncapped players in Ghedin's provisional selection while captain Michael Mifsud is the most representative one. The Valletta FC striker has made a record 123 appearances for Malta. Ghedin added: "Those players who have missed out can easily get back into the squad for future games… it depends on them. "We have also been monitor- ing Under-21 players who were in contention to make the senior squad but our decision was to leave them with the U-21s for this month's friendly against Luxem- bourg and the qualifying match against Belgium so they gain more international experience." PROVISIONAL MALTA SQUAD Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg (Hibernians); Henry Bonello (Birkirkara). Defenders: Jacob Borg, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (both Gżira United); Zach Muscat (Arezzo); Sam Magri (Dover Athletic); Ju- rgen Pisani, Ryan Camenzuli (both Floriana); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Samir Arab (Balzan); Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara). Midfielders: Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara); Rowen Muscat (Val- letta); Bjorn Kristensen (Hiber- nians); Steve Pisani (Floriana); Luke Gambin (Luton Town); Paul Fenech, Ryan Fenech (both Balzan); Mark Scerri (Sliema Wanderers). Forwards: Michael Mifsud (Val- letta); Andrè Schembri (Boavis- ta); Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers); Luke Montebello (Valletta). Floyd Mayweather 'officially out of retirement' FLOYD Mayweather has re- vealed he is "officially out of re- tirement" in order to fight UFC champion Conor McGregor. A bout between the five-weight boxing world champion May- weather and UFC's biggest star has been rumoured for weeks. Mayweather, 40, has previously stated he would only return to the ring to fight the Irishman and, on Saturday, he gave the clearest in- dication yet that it could happen. Speaking in Liverpool on the latest leg of his UK tour, May- weather said: "I'm officially out of retirement for Conor McGregor, today. "If he's really real, like he's says he is, if you really want to fight, just sign the paper. "Conor McGregor, stop blowing smoke up everyone's a**e, if you want to fight, let's make the fight happen." McGregor has obtained a box- ing licence granted by the Cali- fornia State Athletic Commis- sion, which would allow him to box in the US state, as part of his pursuit of a cross-sport show- down with Mayweather. However, the 28-year-old McGregor is still contracted to the UFC. Mayweather retired in Septem- ber 2015 with a 49-0 record while McGregor became UFC's first simultaneous two-weight cham- pion in November when beating Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt. Mayweather had earlier played down talk of an agreement be- tween the two camps, posting on Twitter: "There seems to be several rumours f loating around media recently however, let the record show, there hasn't been any deals made in regards to a fight between myself and any other fighters. "I am happily retired and en- joying life at this time. If any changes are to come, be sure that I will be the first to let the world know." Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor Andy Murray ATP Tour: Andy Murray and Dan Evans out of doubles ANDY Murray missed out on a doubles meeting with brother Jamie after he and Dan Evans were knocked out in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open. World singles number one Mur- ray and Evans, who both also exited the singles tournament in round two, were beaten 6-4 6-3 by Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Te- cau. The pair had been on course to meet Jamie Murray, now the only British player left at Indian Wells, and Bruno Soares in the quarter-finals. Murray and Soares beat Treat Huey and Max Mirnyi 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 earlier in the day.