Malta to play two taxing friendlies in Austria within five days
As an early build-up to Malta’s international commitments in the coming months the senior national team will be engaged in two friendly matches between Friday 27th and Tuesday 31st May, both of which will be played in Austria.
The first test will be against the Czech Republic in Kufstein and the second will be against the home team in Klagenfurt.
National team coach Pietro Ghedin will be able to assess the form and physical condition of the players making up his 20-man squad. Tactical permutations will also feature on the agenda to gauge the collective qualities of the team. Against this background all the components of the squad are expected to be utilised during both matches.
The Czechs and Austrians will undoubtedly provide extremely stiff opposition which would invariably stretch the Maltese side.
More than half the players chosen by Ghedin are seasoned campaigners, having formed part of the national team regularly for a number of years now. Others were introduced lately, while English-born forward Luke Gambin who plays for Barnet is in line to make his debut for Malta.
Although our opponents in both matches will provide formidable opposition, Ghedin will obviously expect his players to perform solidly and with optimal concentration and staying power, elements which will always be vital especially in Malta’s tight competitive programme later on this year.
The squad is made up of:
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Goalkeepers
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| NAME | CLUB | D.O.B. |
| Henry Bonello | Valletta F.C. | 13 October 1988 |
| Justin Haber | Hibernians F.C. | 09 June 1981 |
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| Defenderes | ||
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| Andre Agius | Hibernians F.C. (MLT) | 12 August 1986 |
| Cain Attard | Birkirkara F.C. (MLT) | 10 September 1994 |
| Ryan Camenzuli | Birkirkara F.C. (MLT) | 08 September 1994 |
| Ryan Camilleri | Valletta F.C. (MLT) | 22 May 1988 |
| Clayton Failla | Hibernians F.C. (MLT) | 08 January 1986 |
| Clifford Gatt Baldacchino | Sliema Wanderers F.C. (MLT) | 09 February 1988 |
| Zach Muscat | S.S. Akragas Città dei Templi (ITA) | 22 August 1993 |
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| Midfielders | ||
| Roderick Briffa | Valletta F.C. (MLT) | 24 August 1981 |
| Llywellyn Cremona | Valletta F.C. (MLT) | 07 May 1995 |
| Paul Fenech | Balzan F.C. (MLT) | 20 December 1986 |
| Bjorn Kristensen | Hibernians F.C. (MLT) | 05 April 1993 |
| Rowen Muscat | A.C. Pavia (ITA) | 15 June 1991 |
| Steve Pisani | Floriana F.C. (MLT) | 07 August 1992 |
| Gareth Sciberras | Birkirkara F.C. (MLT) | 29 March 1983 |
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| Forwards | ||
| Alfred Effiong | Balzan F.C. (MLT) | 29 November 1984 |
| Jean Paul Farrugia | Sliema Wanderers F.C. (MLT) | 21 March 1992 |
| Luke Gambin | Barnet F.C. (ENG) | 16 March 1993 |
| Michael Mifsud | Valletta F.C. (MLT) | 17 April 1981 |
