Guillaumier and Shaw relishing Malta U21 return

Birkirkara midfielder Matthew Guillaumier and Sliema Wanderers defender Kurt Shaw are seeing their return to Malta U-21 team duties as a positive step in their development as they pursue more international experience, relishing the challenge ahead with the U-21s facing strong Denmark on Tuesday. Guillaumier, who had been sidelined with injury, made his senior debut for the national team in the terrific 2-1 qualifying match win over the Faroe Islands back in March, and also feature in the 2-0 defeat against Spain. Both EURO 2020 qualifiers were played at the National Stadium in March. Shaw made his senior Malta debut in the 4-0 defeat to Sweden last month, playing the full match at the National Stadium. Shaw said: “I have fond memories of my full debut with the national team. I believe I had a satisfactory performance against Sweden but that is in the past, and now I’m here fully focused on the task ahead on Tuesday. He added: “There is a crop of good players coming up in this U21 side. We are also here to help them raise their standards and the spirit in the dressing-room overseen by coach Silvio Vella is very positive. I believe we are ready for this Denmark match. “We must stay concentrated the entire 90 minutes, keep our tactical shape, stay positive in our transition play and second-ball situations. We must be confident notwithstanding the difficult task ahead.” Guillaumier is also pleased to be back with the U-21s after recovering from his injury. “I'm back after enduring a difficult six months due to injuries," Guillaumier said. "My senior debut against Faroe Islands with the national team couldn’t have been better – the players in the senior side made it easier for me to adapt, and winning on international duty, and in my first senior game was really overwhelming. "The home match against Spain was also a very positive experience, playing against world-class players, but now I’m purely concentrating on my return here with the boys and glad to have overcome the injury troubles." Guillaumier added: “This U-21 team is a rather youthful side still gaining experience at international level. They have done well and the 0-0 result in Northern Ireland back in September was a very good result. "Hopefully Kurt and I, together with the other experienced players like Jean (Borg) and Myles (Beerman), can give more strength to this side, bearing in mind we are missing Michele Sansone who is recovering from injury." Denmark are going into their game against Malta on Tuesday following a strong run of four wins and maximum points so far in this UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifying Group 8. Bologna forward Andreas Skov Olsen, who is still 19 years old, stole the headlines over the weekend in Denmark following his hat-trick last Friday in their impressive 3-2 away win over U-20 World Champions, Ukraine. Denmark against Malta on Tuesday at the Aalborg Stadium, the fourth challenge for the boys in this UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifying Group 8, kickoff time 1800h. MALTA UNDER-21 SQUADGoalkeepers :- Timothy Aquilina (Gudja United), Andreas Vella (Mosta FC).Defenders :- Jean Borg (Valletta FC), Dejan Debono (Senglea Athletic), Nicholas Pulis (Valletta FC), Zachary Karl Grech (Balzan FC), Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers), Zachary Cassar (Gudja United), Gary Camilleri (Tarxien Rainbows).Midfielders :- Myles Beerman (Hibernians FC), Marcus Grima (Balzan FC), Nevin Portelli (Tarxien Rainbows), Jamie Zerafa (Santa Lucia FC), David Xuereb (Senglea Athletic), Aidan Jake Friggieri (Gudja United), Jan Tanti (Senglea Athletic), Matthew Guillaumier (Birkirkara FC).Forwards :- Jan Busuttil (Floriana FC), Zachary Brincat (Mosta FC), Omar Elouni (Santa Lucia).