Malta to play friendly match against Venezuela

Malta will be hosting Venezuela in a friendly match on June 1 as part of the team’s preparation for the UEFA Nations League triple-header against San Marino away from home and at home and against Estonia at home.

The match will be played at the National Stadium, kick-off at 19:00.

Although Venezuela, who are currently ranked 58th, never made it to the World Cup finals, they placed fifth in the Copa America in 1967 and fourth in 2011. In 2007, 2016 and 2019, they reached the quarter-final stage. They are currently coached by José Pékerman, former coach of Argentina and Colombia.

This game should therefore serve as a good test for Devis Mangia’s side ahead of the test against San Marino four days later at the San Marino Stadium and the two home games against Estonia on June 9 and San Marino on June 12.

Meanwhile apart from the Under-21 national team’s final qualifiers from the UEFA Under-21 Championship against Slovakia at home on June 3 and against Spain on June 7 away from home, the Malta Under-18, Under-16, Under-15 and Under-14 sides will all play friendly matches this month.

The Malta Under-18 national team hosts Northern Ireland in two friendly matches on June 8 and June 10. The Malta Under-16 side will be hosting Austria for two friendly matches on June 17 and 20.

The Under-15 team will host Gibraltar on June 18 and 20 while the Under-14 national team will travel to Lithuania for two friendly matches on June 13 and 15.