Farrugia names Malta squad for final EURO qualifiers

Malta coach Ray Farrugia has named a squad of 24 players for the final EURO 2020 Group F qualifying matches against Spain and Norway.

The national team face Group F leaders Spain at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza in Cadiz on 15th November before wrapping up their EURO 2020 qualifying campaign with a home match against Norway at the National Stadium three days later. Both games kick off at 20.45.

Photo: Copyright domenic aquilina

Farrugia has awarded a first call-up to young goalkeeper Rashed Al-Tumi, currently playing for Italian Serie D club Casarano Calcio, and in-form Floriana midfielder Brandon Paiber.

Gżira United flank defender Juan Corbalan is back in the frame after injury kept him out of last month’s qualifiers against Sweden (0-4) and Faroe Islands (0-1).

Valletta defender Steve Borg will miss the Spain qualifier as he must serve a one-match ban but he will be available for the home match against Norway.

Malta have three points going into their final two Group F qualifiers. Spain are top of the group on 20 points while Norway are fourth with 11 points. Sweden and Romania occupy the second and third places in the group on 15 and 14 points respectively while Faroe Islands are level with Malta on three points.

MALTA SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Henry Bonello (Valletta); Justin Haber (Gżira United); Rashed Al-Tumi (Casarano Calcio, Italy).

DEFENDERS
Andrei Agius, Ferdinando Apap, Joseph Mbong (all Hibernians); Steve Borg*, Jonathan Caruana, Joseph Zerafa (all Valletta); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Zach Muscat (SC Olhanense, Portugal); Jurgen Pisani (Floriana).

MIDFIELDERS
Triston Caruana (Ħamrun Spartans); Juan Corbalan (Gżira United); Paul Fenech (Balzan); Jake Grech, Dunstan Vella (both Hibernians); Nikolai Muscat (Gżira United); Rowen Muscat (Valletta); Brandon Paiber (Floriana).

FORWARDS
Alfred Effiong (Balzan); Luke Gambin (Colchester United, England); Michael Mifsud (Birkirkara); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).

*Steve Borg is suspended for the Spain qualifier but will be available for the home match against Norway.