Under-21 side hosts Northern Ireland in first match from Group C

The Malta Under-21 national team will be making its first appearance in Group C of the UEFA Under-21 Championship as the team led by Gilbert Agius hosts Northern Ireland at the Centenary Stadium on Friday, kick-off at 16:30.

This match will also mark the first competitive match for coach Gilbert Agius installed in leading forward this group of players since March this year.

Three months ago, his Malta Under-21 side played two friendly matches against Qatar Under-23 and Bosnia Herzegovina during a training camp in Slovenia, losing 0-5 and 0-1 respectively, but the real challenge starts here in this daunting group also comprising Spain, Slovakia, Lithuania and Russia. Russia will be the next opponents for Malta in Khimki on Tuesday.

Ironically, Malta and Northern Ireland met in the last Under-21 campaign. Malta held Northern Ireland in a goalless draw in Antrim in September 2019 but in September 2020, Northern Ireland won 2-0 at the Centenary Stadium.

Photos: Copyright Joe Borg/Malta FA

The players selected by Agius are:
goalkeepers
Dylan Ciappara (Mosta), Duncan Formosa (Gudja), Amara Sylla (Birkirkara);

defenders
Glenn Attard (Pembroke), Matthew Ellul (Hibernians), Christian Gauci (Valletta), Karl Mohnani (Melita), Owen Spiteri (Floriana), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Sirens);

midfielders
Ayrton Attard (Hibernians), Jean Paul Attard (San Gwann), Emerson Camilleri (Santa Lucia), Aleandro Garzia (Floriana) , Marcus Grima (Balzan), Adam Magri Overend (Floriana), Liam Mckay (Santa Lucia), Andreas Vella (Santa Lucia);

forwards
Jamie Carbone (Santa Lucia), Jake Engerer (Sliema), Jeremy Micallef (Valletta), Bradley Sciberras (Floriana), Jamie Sixsmith (St. Andrews), Mattia Veselji (Floriana).