The return-to-activity programme for the national squads which kicked-off on Sunday is nearly half-way through for the Malta Under-21 national team.
A 30-man squad is taking part in this activity programme overseen by head coach Silvio Vella in preparation for the upcoming busy end of year schedule for the team.
The COVID-19 pandemic had abruptly halted the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with games postponed in March for the boys, both on home soil against Ukraine and Finland, have now been rescheduled for November.
Photo: Copyright Joe Borg/MFA
Prior to those final fixtures in UEFA European Championship Qualifying Group 8, the Malta Under-21 side returns to action with a double home header in September against Northern Ireland (04.09.2020), and Romania (08.09.2020), with two further engagements for the team in October at home v Denmark (09.10.2020) and away to Romania four days later.
This stage for the Malta Under-21s is giving coach Vella and his staff the opportunity to assess the fitness levels of his squad and a much needed rigorous training scheduled also aiding the boys in their physical condition and other aspects of preparation ensuing several weeks of inactivity.
This two week activity programme for the Malta Under-21 national team shall conclude on Sunday 19th.
UEFA U21 Qualifying Group 8 – remaining fixtures
04/09/2020 – Malta vs Northern Ireland
08/09/2020 – Malta vs Romania
09/10/2020 – Malta vs Denmark
13/10/2020 – Romania vs Malta
13/11/2020 – Malta vs Ukraine
17/11/2020 – Malta vs Finland
SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Andreas Vella (Santa Lucia); Timothy Aquilina (Sliema Wanderers FC); Amara Sylla (Birkirkara FC); Cain Formosa (San Ġwann).
DEFENDERS
Gary Camilleri (Balzan FC); Conor Zammit (Hibernians FC); Dejan Debono (Senglea Athletic FC); James Scicluna (Pietà Hotspurs); Darren Borg (Ħamrun Spartans FC); Zachary Karl Grech (Pembroke Athleta); Christian Gauci (San Ġwann FC); Nicholas Pulis (Valletta FC); Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (N.K. Zrinski, Croatia).
MIDFIELDERS
Adam Magri Overend (Santa Lucia FC); Christian Sammut (Pietà Hotspurs FC); Neil Frendo (Balzan); Jamie Zerafa (Santa Lucia); David Xuereb (Hibernians FC); Marcus Grima (Balzan FC); Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers FC); Adam Bradshaw (Balzan FC); Jan Busuttil (Floriana FC); Jan Tanti (Senglea Athletic FC); Nevin Portelli (unattached); Ayrton Attard (Hibernians FC).
FORWARDS
Aidan Jake Friggieri (Gudja United FC); Andrei Spiteri (Senglea Athletic FC); Omar Elouni (Sliema Wanderers FC); Zachary Brincat (Mosta FC); Alex Satariano (Sliema Wanderers FC).