Under-19 side hosts Albania in two friendly matches

Preparations ramping up for the Malta Under 19 Team ahead of the central event for this year 2023 and the UEFA U19 European Championship Finals held in Malta between the 3rd and 16th of July.

The boys will be engaged in a double-friendly fixture this week hosting Albania on home soil.

It all rolls out on Thursday with the first friendly encounter scheduled at the Gozo Stadium, kicking off at 11:30 am. The Tony Bezzina Stadium will host the second match on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled at 11 am.

Malta U19 Coach Antonio Jose Cardoso Mendes and his assistant Stefano Grima have selected a 22-man squad for this double-friendly fixture against Albania.

The squad includes seven players who are developing their careers and relishing experience beyond our shores, two of which play their trade in Portugal with Boavista, and other foreign-based players come from prominent clubs like Sampdoria and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Birkirkara is the local club most represented in this selection with three players on board.

Malta U19 Team Final Squad – Albania double friendly:-

Goalkeepers – Karl Sargent (Birkirkara FC), Luca Camilleri (Mosta FC).

Central Defenders – Deacon Abela (Swieqi United FC), Jake Vassallo (Mosta FC), Ivin Farrugia (Pieta’ Hotspurs FC), Braden Flannery (UNLV), Sven Xerri (Ħamrun Spartans FC).

Midfielders – Bjorn Buhagiar (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Andy Borg (Gżira United FC), Matteo Gambin (Birkirkara FC), Benjamin Hili (Balzan FC), Lucas Caruana (Sampdoria), Lucas Scicluna (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake Grech (Balzan FC), Brooklyn Borg (Gżira United FC), Jake Micallef (Boavista), Tristan Viviani (San Diego UN).

Offensive Players – Zak Barbara (Valletta FC), Nathan Cross (Birkirkara FC), Alfie Bridgman (Bognor Regis), Sean Gatt (Boavista), Kian Leonardi (Pieta’ Hotspurs FC).