Under-21 side faces Finland on Thursday

The Malta Under-21 side will be facing Finland in another match from Group 8 of the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying round at the Veritas Stadium in Turku on Thursday, kick-off at 18:00.

The team led by coach Silvio Vella will be looking to bounce back from the 4-0 setback in their last outing against Ukraine last month.

In their sights, the players have the 0-0 draw obtained in Ballymena against Northern Ireland in their first outing as they prepare for their third away commitment on the trot in a group that also includes Romania and Denmark.

The team had limited time together prior to this match in Turku with domestic action back home not over until Sunday evening.

Meanwhile Senglea Athletic defender Dejan Debono, Valletta midfielder Shaun Dimech and Pietà Hotspurs midfielder Nicholas Pisani are the new faces in this 20-man squad that travelled to Finland on Monday and will be pushing for their international debut at this level.

Finland are currently leading the way in Group 8 with four points following a 2-0 win over Ukraine and a 1-1 draw at home against Northern Ireland.

During this UEFA U-21 qualifying competition, coaches are allowed to use a maximum of five substitutes, either at half-time or in three separate slots during the 90 minutes.

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).