James Brown, Adam Magri Overend in Malta squad ahead of Slovenia, Cyprus matches

The Head Coach of the Malta national team Devis Mangia named a 30-man squad ahead of the double header that will see the national team play home against Slovenia on the 8th of October and away against Cyprus on the 11th of October. These matches form part of the national team’s commitments in Group H of the European Qualifiers – World Cup 2021.  

Head Coach Devis Mangia made a number of changes to the squad who played against Cyprus, Slovenia and Russia in October 2021.  Defender James Brown (St Johnstone FC – SCO) and Under 21 player Adam Magri Overend (Floriana FC) were called up for the first time.   

Twenty-three year old England-born defender James Brown started his career at Milwall but had spells with Carlisle United, Livingston and Lincoln City before joining St. Johnstone.

There were a further two changes from the squad that played in the September international window.  Jurgen Degabriele of Hibernians FC returns to the national team having recovered from an injury while Samir Arab of Balzan FC also returns to the squad. 

In the meantime, Luke Gambin who joined the team after the game against Cyprus, is now included in the 30-man squad, whilst Enrico Pepe who left the team following the game against Slovenia as he was injured is now available.

After having played six matches in Group H, Malta has obtained four points, a draw against Slovakia and a win over Cyprus on home soil.  Malta lost both games against Russia, and also the games against Slovenia and Croatia.   

  

MALTA SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS 
Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans FC); Jake Galea (Balzan FC); Matthew Grech (Pembroke Athleta FC) 

DEFENDERS 
Samir Arab (Balzan FC); Steve Borg (Gżira United FC); James Brown (St. Johnstone FC – SCO), Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans FC); Zach Muscat (Casa Pia – POR); Enrico Pepe (Birkirkara FC); Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers FC)   

MIDFIELDERS 
Cain Attard (Birkirkara FC); Ryan Camenzuli (Floriana FC); Triston Caruana (Valletta FC); Joseph Essien Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC); Adam Magri Overend (Floriana FC); Nicolai Muscat (Gżira United FC); Brandon Diego Paiber (Floriana FC); Steven Pisani (Gżira United FC); Nevin Portelli (Gżira United FC); Teddy Teuma (Royal Union Saint Gilloise – BEL); Dunstan Vella (Hibernians FC); Dexter Xuereb (St Lucia FC); Yannick Yankam (Birkirkara FC) 

FORWARDS 
Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC); Shaun Dimech (Valletta FC); Luke Gambin (Hamrun Spartans FC); Jake Grech (Hibernians FC); Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC); Luke Montebello (Birkirkara FC); Alexander Satariano (Frosinone Calcio- ITA)