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Vella names 18-man squad for U-21 qualifier against Sweden

Published: 03-06-2018 11:30
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Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella has selected the final 18-man squad for the UEFA European U-21 Championship Group 6 qualifier against Sweden, being played this coming Thursday at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off 17.30).  Vella has included the six players who were part of the senior Malta squad for the seven-day training camp in Austria. Malta U-21 captain Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele, Joseph Mbong and Dunstan Vella, who all made their Malta debut in the friendly matches against Armenia and Georgia, and Myles Beerman and Kyrian Nwoko have rejoined their U-21 team-mates after their experience with the senior squad. Victoria Hotspurs winger Christian Mercieca, the GFA player of the year for season 2017-18, has earned his first U-21 call-up. Vella is pleased with the progress of the team’s preparations for Thursday’s tough encounter with Sweden. “Training has been intense, the players are responding well and their physical condition is good,” the Malta Under-21 coach said in an interview with http://www.takeaseat.org.mt (Read full interview here: https://goo.gl/fE7FcW). “Preparations for the Sweden game will be stepped up on Monday when the six players who are with the senior squad return with us.” The Malta U-21s, who are still looking for their first point in this group, will play their last four qualifiers at home, starting with Thursday’s match against Sweden. Vella’s team then host Belgium on September 7, Hungary on October 12 and Cyprus on October 16. Sweden are second in the group on 14 points, three behind leaders Belgium who have played a game more. MALTA U-21 SQUADGOALKEEPERSJake Galea (Ħamrun Spartans); Matthew Grech (Floriana). DEFENDERSJean Borg (Valletta); Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Dunstan Vella (Hibernians); Neil Tabone (Żejtun Corinthians). MIDFIELDERSJuan Corbalan (Gżira United); Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers); Jake Grech (Birkirkara); Nikolai Muscat (Gżira United); Zachary Scerri (Gżira United); Christian Mercieca (Victoria Hotspurs); Zachary Brincat (Mosta). FORWARDSJurgen Degabriele (Hibernians); Myles Beerman (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).