Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella has announced his 20-man squad for the UEFA Under-21 European Championship Group 8 qualifier against Finland, being played in Turku on Thursday, October 10.
This will be Malta’s third game in this group following the positive 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland in Ballymena and the 4-0 defeat against Ukraine in Zaporizhya last month.
There are three changes from the squad for the opening two qualifiers with Senglea Athletic defender Dejan Debono, midfielder Shaun Dimech, who is enjoying a positive season with Valletta’s senior team, and Pietà Hotspurs’ Nicholas Pisani earning their first official call-up for a competitive U-21 match.
The remaining members of the squad have experience at this level with coach Vella also relying on the likes of Jean Borg, Michele Sansone and Myles Beerman who have been part of the Malta U-21 set-up for a number of years.
Gudja United winger Aidan Friggieri and Connor Zammit, of Senglea Athletic, are sidelined with injuries.
Finland have had a positive start to their qualifying campaign, beating Ukraine 2-0 away from home and drawing 1-1 at home against Northern Ireland in their second outing.
MALTA UNDER-21 SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Timothy Aquilina (Gudja United); Andreas Vella (Mosta).
DEFENDERS
Jean Borg (Valletta); Zachary Cassar (Gudja United); Dejan Debono (Senglea Athletic); Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers); Nicholas Pulis (Valletta); Zachary Grech (Balzan); Gary Camilleri (Tarxien Rainbows).
MIDFIELDERS
Myles Beerman (Hibernians); Shaun Dimech (Valletta); Marcus Grima (Balzan); Jamie Zerafa (Santa Lucia); David Xuereb (Senglea Athletic); Nicholas Pisani (Pietà Hotspurs); Jan Tanti (Senglea Athletic); Ayrton Attard (Hibernians).
FORWARDS
Jan Busuttil (Floriana); Zachary Brincat (Mosta); Omar Elouni (Santa Lucia).