The new Malta Under-19 national team will start its international experience with two friendly matches at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta’ Qali. These matches are scheduled for Monday 25th and Thursday 28th February against the Hungary Under-17 side who will be competing in the UEFA Elite Round competition.

Coach Branco Nisevic, assisted by Emmanuel Farrugia, selected a 27-man squad from 12 different teams – including Luke Montebello who plays for Livorno in Italy.

Nisevic is expected to make use of a wide range of players in order to give them the necessary exposure at a higher level, particularly against foreign national teams. This will enable the coaches to assess the potential of the players under their charge.

Both matches have a 6.30 pm kick-off time. Maltese FIFA Referee Clayton Pisani, assisted by William Debattista and Paul Apap will control the first match, while Kevin Azzopard (FIFA Referee), assisted by Ingmar Spiteri and Mitchell Scerri, will take charge of the second.

The squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Jean Claude Debattista (Hamrun), Matthew Grech (Pietà), Luke Pecorella (Naxxar), Philip Schranz (Melita);
defenders Matthew Bonello (Pietà), Melvin Busuttil (Hamrun), Clyde Cumbo (St. Andrews), Dion Fava (Marsaxlokk), Godwin Mckay (Birkirkara), Karl Micallef (Pietà), Clive Psaila (Sliema), Giancarlo Sammut (Mosta), Timothy Tabone Desira (Hibs);
midfielders Llywelyn Cremona (Valletta), Bernard Borg (Birkirkara), Kyle Cesare (Pietà), Neil Chetcuti (Hibs), Jurgen Debono (Naxxar), Jurgen Degabriele (Hibs), Shawn Deguara (Birkirkara), Jacob Falzon (St. Andrews), Ian Montanaro (Valletta), Kurt Zammit (Mosta);
forwards Luke Montebello (Livorno), Rodney Refalo (Hamrun), Ryan Spiteri (Hamrun), Axl Xuereb (Sliema).