AUGUST ENGAGEMENTS FOR U-21, ’A’ TEAMS

August is not a familiar month for our representative teams to play matches unless these are away from home and in cooler weather conditions found in other countries. Routine friendlies prior to competitive engagements are a must, though.  With the senior and Under 21 teams due to resume their group matches in the 2014 World Cup Brazil and the Euro U-21 championships fairly soon, work-out tests have been arranged intended to help coaches give the nod to their final squads playing in these competitions. On Wednesday 14 August Malta is due to play Azerbaijan in Baku in a preparatory match ahead of their World Cup home matches against Denmark and Bulgaria on the 6 and 10 September respectively, while the Under 21 side will be playing their Hungarian counterparts at the Bozsik Stadium in Budapest in preparation for the group matches in that category. Both teams’ coaches are aware that matches at this time of the season when routine league engagements for the local players are still to start, will present a challenge for their sides in physical and technical terms. This is exactly the scope of these friendlies, apart from presenting the mentors with the possibility of giving some new elements a taste of international experience. Positive results from these outings are very welcome and will definitely provide encouragement for our boys. We look forward to such tidings.    National 'A' Team - 20 Man SquadAzerbaijan vs. MaltaDate: 14/08/2013Friendly Match     Name DOBClub Club CountryAPPGoalkeeper    Henry Bonello13-10-1988Sliema Wanderers FCMalta1Justin Haber09-06-1981Birkirkara FCMalta46Nicholas Vella27-08-1989Tarxien Rainbows FCMalta0Defender    Andrei Agius12-08-1986Sassari TorresItaly34Jacob Borg02-05-1991Sliema Wanderers FCMalta0Ryan Camilleri22-05-1988Hibernians FCMalta6Clayton Failla08-01-1986Hibernians FCMalta26Clifford Gatt Baldacchino09-02-1988Sliema Wanderers FCMalta0Mark Scerri16-01-1990Sliema Wanderers FCMalta0Midfielder    Shawn Bajada19-08-1983Valletta FCMalta33Roderick Briffa24/08/1981Valletta FCMalta71Paul Fenech20/12/1986Birkirkara FCMalta16Ryan Fenech20-04-1986Valletta FCMalta31Edward Herrera14-11-1986Birkirkara FCMalta11Rowen Muscat05-06-1991Birkirkara FCMalta3Gareth Sciberras29/03/1983Birkirkara FCMalta34Forward    Andrew Cohen13/05/1981Hibernians FCMalta53Michael Mifsud17/04/1981no clubMalta96John Mintoff23-06-1988Sliema Wanderers FCMalta1Andre' Schembri27/05/1986Omonia NicosiaCyprus50