The Malta Under-18 national team led by coaches Alessandro Zinnari and Stefano Grima travelled to Cyprus on Wednesday for a double friendly fixture scheduled to be played at the Paralimni Municipal Stadium in Famagusta.
Both matches are scheduled for Friday 25th and Sunday 27th before the contingent flies back to Malta on Monday.
These encounters for the Malta Under-18 team will serve to secure more game time at international level in view of future commitments culminating in the UEFA European Championship Under-19 Final Phase Tournament to be hosted in Malta in July 2023.
Five players also had the opportunity earlier this week to join the senior team for some practice under the supervision of National Teams Head Coach Devis Mangia and his staff. The players are Andrew Borg, Jake Micallef, Lucas Caruana, Isaiah Micallef and Ivin Farrugia.
Two members of the squad are currently based abroad, these are Sasha Cachia who is developing his skills and talent in Spain, likewise Tristan Viviani in the United States of America.
The 23-man Malta Under-18 squad that travelled to Cyprus for this multiple friendly fixture reads as follow:-
Goalkeepers – Beppe Mangion (St. Andrews FC), Karl Sargent (Birkirkara FC).
Defenders – Sasha Cachia (Racing d’Algemesí) (Spain), Ivin Farrugia (Pieta’ Hotspurs FC), Jake Micallef (San Ġwann FC), Deacon Abela (Valletta FC), Tristan Viviani (San Jose Earthquakes Academy (USA), Sven Xerri (Ħamrun Spartans FC).
Midfielders – Neil Meli (Valletta FC), Andrew Borg (St. Andrews FC), Lucas Caruana (Hibernians FC), Jake Grech (Balzan FC), Giuseppe Bonanno (Balzan FC), Matteo Gambin (Birkirkara FC), Jake Vassallo (Mosta FC), Nathan Cross (Birkirkara FC), Benjamin Hili (San Ġwann FC).
Offensive players – Zak Barbara (Valletta FC), Brooklyn Borg (Pieta’ Hotspurs FC), Sean Gatt (St. Andrews FC), Shaisen Attard (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Jamie Scerri (Swieqi United FC), Isaiah Micallef (Valletta FC).
