Buttigieg names final squad for Wednesday's friendly

John Buttigieg - Photo © domenic aquilinaNational coach John Buttigieg and his assistant Carmel Busuttil named the eighteen-man squad ahead of next Wednesday’s international friendly match against Finland.

Foreign-based Justin Haber of Ferencvaros, Andrei Agius of Melfi and Daniel Bogdanovic of Barnsley all made it to the final squad. Haber had missed the last game against Bulgaria in November. Steve Bezzina and Paul Fenech, who had made their national team debut in the same game were also confirmed in the squad.

The players to be dropped were: Andrew Hogg, Edward Herrera, Brian Said, Gilbert Agius, Christian Caruana, Massimo Grima, Kevin Sammut and Terence Scerri.

The players selected by Buttigieg and Busuttil are:
goalkeepers Justin Haber (Ferencvaros – HUN), Mario Muscat (Hibs);
defenders Andrei Agius (Melfi – ITA), Steve Bezzina (Valletta), Jonathan Caruana (Hibs), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Kenneth Scicluna (Valletta);
midfielders Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara), Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara), Clayton Failla (Sliema), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Ryan Fenech (Sliema), Jamie Pace (Valletta);
forwards Daniel Bogdanovic (Barnsley – ENG), Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Michael Mifsud (unattached), Ivan Woods (Sliema).

The game, which will be held on Wednesday at the National Stadium, kick-off at 19:00, will be controlled by Italian referee Mauro Bergonzi who will be assisted by Mariano Debono and Ingmar Spiteri as Assistant Referees and Marco Borg as fourth official.

West Stand tickets prices for this match are €8 for males and a reduced price of €4 for women, children and senior citizens.

Photo: Copyright © domenic aquilina