Malta U-17s taking part in Trofeo Nereo Rocco – Updated

The Malta Under-17 team are taking part in the annual Trofeo Nereo Rocco this week. Noel Turner, the Malta Under-17 coach, has taken a squad of 20 players for this tournament which is intended to boost the squad’s preparations for their commitments in the qualifying group of the 2019-20 UEFA Under-17 Championship. Austria, Bulgaria and Norway, who are hosting the UEFA tournament, are Malta’s opponents in Group 13 with the matches scheduled to take place from October 17-23. Turner, who is assisted by Mark Marlow, has retained most of the players who formed part of the Malta U-16 squad for the UEFA Youth Under-16 Development Tournament, held at the Centenary Stadium last March. At the Trofeo Nereo Rocco tournament, being played in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, the Maltese youngsters have been drawn in Group C. Malta suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Austrian team WAC Karnten in their opening match on Tuesday. The Maltese side had the better chances, especially in the first half, but were denied by some fine saves by the opposing goalkeeper. NAPOLI MATCH On Wednesday evening, the Maltese youngsters produced another commendable performance against Napoli. Napoli were awarded two penalties in the space of three minutes in the first half. Malta U-17 goalkeeper Miguel Spiteri produced a fine save to stop the first penalty but Napoli converted the second to go 1-0 ahead. The Maltese team started well in the second half as they pressed for an equaliser but Napoli doubled their lead from a free-kick action five minutes from the end. In stoppage time, Malta pulled one back when Andrea Zammit hit home from the penalty spot. FIRST WIN On Thursday, the Malta U-17s wrapped up their group commitments with a 2-0 win over Pordenone Calcio. The Maltese youngsters were the better side with young forward Andrea Zammit scoring both goals for Turner's team. The group fixtures will be followed by the knock-out and classification matches. The friendly tournament sees the participation of youth teams from a host of countries, including Italian sides Milan, Lazio, Udinese and Bologna, Red Star Belgrade of Serbia, Chivas from Mexico and Slovenia’s Olimpia Ljubljana. MALTA UNDER-17 SQUADGOALKEEPERSMiguel Spiteri (unattached); Daniel Grima (Mosta). DEFENDERSZean Leonardi (Pietà Hotspurs); Owen Sammut (Mosta); James Vella (San Ġwann); Russel Micallef Decesare (St Andrews); Nicholai Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Isaac Cutajar (Pietà Hotspurs); Sebastian Cassar Torregiani (St Andrews); Luca Zammit (St Andrews). MIDFIELDERSNathan Agius (Mosta); Jake Grech (San Ġwann); Kurt Briffa (Pietà Hotspurs); Brite Anayochi Ihuomah (Hibernians); Azriel Borg (Mosta); Alexander Spiteri (Sliema Wanderers). FORWARDSEric Atkins (Balzan);  Matteo Gambin (Żabbar St Patrick); Antheos Spiteri (Valletta); Andrea Zammit (San Ġwann).