Silvio Vella names 18-man squad for Sweden clash

Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella has selected the final 18-man squad for the UEFA European U-21 Championship Group 6 qualifier against Sweden, being played this coming Thursday at the Centenary Stadium, kick-off 17.30.

Vella has included the six players who were part of the senior Malta squad for the seven-day training camp in Austria.

Malta U-21 captain Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele, Joseph Mbong and Dunstan Vella, who all made their Malta debut in the friendly matches against Armenia and Georgia, and Myles Beerman and Kyrian Nwoko have rejoined their U-21 team-mates after their experience with the senior squad.

Victoria Hotspurs winger Christian Mercieca, the GFA player of the year for season 2017-18, has earned his first U-21 call-up.

The Malta U-21s, who are still looking for their first point in this group, will play their last four qualifiers at home, starting with Thursday’s match against Sweden. Vella’s team then host Belgium on September 7, Hungary on October 12 and Cyprus on October 16.

Sweden are second in the group on 14 points, three behind leaders Belgium who have played a game more.

MALTA U-21 SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Jake Galea (Ħamrun Spartans); Matthew Grech (Floriana).

DEFENDERS
Jean Borg (Valletta); Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Dunstan Vella (Hibernians); Neil Tabone (Żejtun Corinthians).

MIDFIELDERS
Juan Corbalan (Gżira United); Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers); Jake Grech (Birkirkara); Nikolai Muscat (Gżira United); Zachary Scerri (Gżira United); Christian Mercieca (Victoria Hotspurs); Zachary Brincat (Mosta).

FORWARDS
Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians); Myles Beerman (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).