Frick's credentials prove Liechtenstein are due respect

It is widely expected, even in Liechtenstein, that England will emerge from Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier with three points and a hatful of goals. But the notion that the Alpine nation will be represented by 11 amateur no-hopers is wrong.

The home side's starting line-up is likely to be made up of six professional players, including a goalkeeper who once had trials with Liverpool, a midfielder with four goals in his last four internationals and a striker who was playing in Italy's Serie A last season and scored against the likes of Lazio, Parma and Udinese.

The goalkeeper, Peter Jehle, plays for Grasshopper Zurich and has been an international since he was 16. Although he has had to settle for a place on his club's bench this season, fans of Leeds United will remember him from last season's Uefa Cup, when he did well in a 2-2 draw at Elland Road. His talents have attracted interest in England and Germany and his big-match nerve is beyond doubt. His first ever touch for Grasshopper saw an injury-time penalty save and he has kept scorelines respectable with heroics against the likes of Spain, Romania and Austria.

The in-form midfielder is Martin Stocklasa, who scored an injury-time equaliser against Macedonia in Euro 2004 qualifying last year. That goal meant Liechtenstein took a home point against Macedonia, just as England did. Stocklasa also scored a hat-trick against Luxembourg in a friendly last year and helped his club side, FC Vaduz, to the top of the Swiss Second Division before Christmas.

Stocklasa's younger brother, Michael, is also a professional with Vaduz. He will start against England in the centre of defence alongside Daniel Hasler, a competent professional who plays in Switzerland with FC Wil 1900.

Aside from Jehle, the Stocklasas and Hasler, the fifth man in the spine of Liechtenstein's side is the striker Mario Frick. The 28-year-old played professionally in Switzerland with FC Zurich before moving to Italy three years ago with Arezzo of Serie C. Sixteen goals in 23 games saw a move to Verona, for whom Frick played in Serie A last season. He moved to Ternana in Serie B in the summer. His pace and predatory instincts make him a danger inside the penalty area and he has proved he can score against tough opponents. If England are expecting a pub side at the weekend, they may pay for their ignorance.

The sixth professional likely to start on Saturday is Ronny Büchel, another of FC Vaduz's international brigade. Quite where he will play is open to debate. Ralf Loose, the Liechtenstein coach, told The Independent last week that he was considering a 4-3-3 formation, "although under pressure, which is likely, it might seem more like 4-5-1". Seasoned journalists in Vaduz suggested yesterday that Loose might be more defensive, playing 1-4-3-2, but, whichever of these scenarios unfolds, Büchel is likely to operate as an attacking midfielder.

Of Liechtenstein's amateurs and semi-professionals, Harry Zech, a 33-year-old wine maker, would play libero in a 1-4-3-2. Frédéric Gigon, a 30-year-old teacher, and Martin Telser, a 24-year-old plumber (and part-time pro with Vaduz), seem probable starters as full-backs. A youthful midfield will see Martin Stocklasa at its heart. He could be joined by two Vaduz team-mates, Franz Burgmeier, 20, and Christof Ritter, 22, who are both bank workers.

Others in the squad who pose a threat include Andreas Gerster, a 20-year-old salesman, and Thomas Beck, a 22-year-old banker, who play in midfielder and attack respectively for Vaduz.

Clearly, Liechtenstein are young and likely to lose. But amateur no-hopers? Not quite.

LOWDOWN ON LIECHTENSTEIN THE 11 MEN LIKELY TO LINE UP AGAINST ENGLAND ON SATURDAY

PETER JEHLE
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 21. Caps: 25
Club: Grasshopper Zurich (Swit)
Occupation: Professional footballer.

Made his debut aged 16. Faced Leeds last season. Not played this year.

HARRY ZECH
Position: Sweeper
Age: 33. Caps: 39
Club: USV Eschen-Mauren (Liech)
Occupation: Wine maker

Calm, experienced veteran, expected to play as a nerve-steadying libero behind a back four.

MARTIN TELSER
Position: Right-back
Age: 24. Caps: 34
Club: FC Vaduz (Liech)
Occupation: Plumber

Robust midfielder but could move to right-back to add defensive solidity.

DANIEL HASLER
Position: Central defender
Age: 28. Caps: 44
Club: FC Wil 1900 (Swit)
Occupation: Professional footballer

Team captain and most-capped player. The first man on the teamsheet.

MICHAEL STOCKLASA
Position: Central defender
Age: 22. Caps: 27
Club: FC Vaduz (Liech)
Occupation: Professional footballer

Tall, rangy, bottle-blond. Liechtenstein's equivalent of a Jonathan Woodgate-Jackie Charlton hybrid.

FREDERIC GIGON
Position: Left-back
Age: 30. Caps: 35
Club: FC Baulmes (Swit)
Occupation: Teacher

Another experienced old hand, albeit amateur, who could step in at left-back if Christof Ritter moves into midfield.

FRANZ BURGMEIER
Position: Midfielder
Age: 20. Caps: 27
Club: FC Vaduz (Liech)
Occupation: Bank clerk

Ball-winner who likes to push forward. An Alpine Paul Scholes in the making.

MARTIN STOCKLASA
Position: Central midfielder
Age: 23. Caps: 34
Club: FC Vaduz (Liech)
Occupation: Professional footballer

The closest Liechtenstein have to a Patrick Vieira (inspirational midfield linchpin). Scores more goals than Vieira too.

CHRISTOF RITTER
Position: Left midfielder
Age: 22. Caps: 22
Club: FC Vaduz (Liech)
Occupation: Banker

Normally a defender, also gives options on the left side of midfield, a bit like Wayne Bridge.

RONNY BUCHEL
Position: Striker
Age: 21. Caps: 26
Club: FC Vaduz (Liech)
Occupation: Professional footballer

Strong, attacking midfielder/forward who plays a ball-holding role for his club.

MARIO FRICK
Position: Striker
Age: 28. Caps: 38
Club: Ternana Calcio (It)
Occupation: Professional footballer

Pacy striker with a good final touch. Was scoring goals against the likes of Lazio in Serie A last season.

Formation: 1-4-3-2.

Other squad members: Martin Heeb (gk, age 32, groundsman); Jürgen Ospelt (defender, 29, surveyor); Matthias Bec (midfielder, 21, electronic engineer); Andreas Gerster (m, 20, commercial salesman); Thomas Nigg (m, 19, student); Thomas Beck (forward, 22, bank clerk); Fabio D'Elia (f, 20, student).