Under-21 side to face Turkmenistan on Friday

The training camp is underway in Antalya, Turkey, for the Malta U-21 team, a week of intensive preparation that includes two friendly matches ahead of a tough competition coming up, starting in September with away fixtures against Northern Ireland and Ukraine.

Coach Silvio Vella has called up a new-look squad with several uncapped players all vying to prove themselves in this first experience at Under-21 level.

Two of these newcomers are Neil Frendo and Marcus Grima who are both striving to raise their standards, having recently started a new domestic experience outside Maltese shores with OFK Belgrade and Barnsley respectively.

Meanwhile Valletta defender Jean Borg will captain the Malta U-21 team in the Turkmenistan friendly on Friday at 15:00hrs (Malta time) followed with the Kosovo friendly on Tuesday in Antalya same time.

He will take on the captain’s armband from Matthew Guillaumier who is one of many players promoted to represent Malta at senior level for the upcoming Euro 2020 Group F qualifiers against Faroe Islands and Spain.

MALTA UNDER-21 SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Timothy Aquilina (Sliema Wanderers), Andreas Vella (Mosta).

DEFENDERS
Jean Borg (Valletta), Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers), Connor Zammit (Hibernians), Zachary Cassar (Senglea Athletic), Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers), Nicholas Pulis (Valletta), Zachary Karl Grech (Pembroke Athleta).

MIDFIELDERS
Myles Beerman (Gżira Utd), Gary Camilleri (Senglea Athletic), Neil Frendo (OFK Beograd), Marcus Grima (Barnsley), Russell Fenech (Sirens), David Xuereb (Hibernians), Aidan Jake Friggieri (St Andrews), Jan Busuttil (Pietà Hotspurs), Jan Tanti (San Ġwann).

FORWARDS
Zachary Brincat (Mosta), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara).