Toze Mendes names squad ahead of Under-19 Preparatory Tournament

Under-19 National Team Coach Toze Mendez has announced the final squad for the Under-19 Preparatory Tournament which will be held between Wednesday 23 and Tuesday 29 November.  A tournament which will serve as preparation for the UEFA Under-19 Championship which Malta will be hosting between July 3 and 16.

Taking part in this preparatory tournament are Germany, Portugal and Poland that will join Malta and play in two stadia; the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali and the Gozo Stadium in Xewkija. 

The goal of this event is to give the host a taster of what is to come in July.  It will also give the hosts and the three teams, who probably will book a place in the final tournament, an opportunity to play in a preparatory tournament.  It is also a chance for the countries to take on opponents of their same kind. 

Malta will play against Portugal on Wednesday 23rd (kick-off 18:00hrs) at the National Stadium, against Germany on Saturday 26th (kick-off 12:30hrs) at the Gozo Stadium, and against Poland on Tuesday 29th November (kick-off 12:30hrs) at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

The squad was unveiled on Monday ahead of the players arriving in camp on Monday morning. 

The selection includes a group with a blend of youth and experience, with 5 players born in 2000 or after.  The coach has named 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 9 midfielders and 9 forwards in his group.

The full squad is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS 
Karl Sargent (Birkirkara FC), Luca Camilleri (Mosta FC)

CENTRAL DEFENDERS 
Jake Vassallo (Mosta FC), Ivin Farrugia (Pieta Hotspurs FC), Deacon Abela (Valletta FC), Jake Micallef (Boavista), Matthias Ellul (Luxol St Andrews FC), Matthias Ellul (Luxol St Andrews FC), Braden Flannery (UNLV)

MIDFIELDERS 
Alex Spiteri (Loughborough FC), Matteo Gambin (Birkirkara FC), Benjamin Hili (Balzan FC), Lucas Scicluna (Wolverhamptom Wanderers), Andy Borg (Gzira FC), Lucas Caruana (Sampdoria), Jake Grech (Balzan FC), Giuseppe Bonanno (Balzan FC)

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS 
Shaisen Attard (Hamrun Spartans FC), Zak Barbara (Valletta FC), Brooklyn Borg (Gzira United FC), Kian Leonardi (Pieta Hotspurs FC), Alfie Bridgman (Portsmouth FC), Isaiah Micallef (Valletta FC)

  • Wednesday 23rd – Germany vs Poland MFA Training Grounds (and not Gozo Stadium) (11:00)
  • Wednesday 23rd – Malta vs Portugal – National Stadium (18:00)
  • Saturday 26th – Malta vs Germany – Gozo Stadium (12:30)
  • Saturday 26th – Poland vs Portugal – National Stadium (18:00)
  • Tuesday 29th – Poland vs Malta – National Stadium (12:30)
  • Tuesday 29th – Germany vs Portugal – National Stadium (18:00)

Tickets 
Tickets can be purchased online from tickets.mfa.com.mt or from the respective stadia on matchdays.

Ticket prices are as follows:

  • €5 (adults)
  • €3 (concessions, U12 and over 60)

Streaming
Games can be watched on the Malta FA Youtube channel