Under-21 side hosts Hungary

The Malta Under-21 side hosts Hungary in a friendly match at the Hibernians Stadium on Wednesday, kick-off at 15:00. This game will serve as preparation for the remaining commitments from Group 2 of the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers.

Malta will be playing three matches away from home – against Slovenia and Sweden in June and Ukraine in September. From the seven matches played so far, the team collected five points in a win over Lithuania away from home, a draw in Finland and a draw against Ukraine at home.

Under-21 coach Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia believes the team could collect more points from the remaining matches and that this test against Hungary provides the opportunity to try new players. He said players who do well at this level could eventually make it to the senior side.

Missing from the squad are Sliema midfielder Mark Scerri and Vittoriosa striker Leighton Grech while Bjorn Kristensen of Hibernians was promoted to the senior squad. Ryan Scicluna of Birkirkara and Jonathan Bajada of Mosta are the two new faces in the squad.

On Tuesday, Farrugia replaced the injured Owen Bugeja with Ishmael Grech of Pietà.

The players selected by Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia and his assistant Ronald Vella are:
goalkeepers Adrian Parnis (Xewkija), Steve Sultana (Qormi);
defenders Yessous Camilleri (Balzan), Matthew Gauci (Hamrun), Luca Martinelli (Mosta), Zach Muscat (Pietà);
midfielders Jonathan Bajada (Mosta), Clyde Borg (Floriana), Triston Caruana (Qormi), Ishmael Grech (Pietà), Sheldon Grech (Mosta), Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara), Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara);
forwards Miguel Ciantar (Balzan), Darren Falzon (Naxxar), Jean Paul Farrugia (Marsaxlokk), Steve Pisani (Hibs), Terence Vella (Mosta).

Malta vs Hungary will be controlled by referee Alan Mario Sant who will be assisted by Edward Spiteri and Mitchell Scerri with Kevin Azzopardi as fourth official.

Entrance for the game is free.

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