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Vella selects squad for Cyprus, Hungary games

Published: 24-08-2017 13:30
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Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella has called a 20-man squad for the UEFA U-21 Championship Group 6 qualifiers away to Cyprus and Hungary. The Malta U-21 team resume their qualifying campaign with a match against Cyprus at the AEK Arena, Larnaca on September 1 (kick-off 18.00). Four days later, Vella’s boys meet Hungary at the Gyirmoti Stadium (Gyor) at 17.00. In their opening match, played on March 27, the Maltese youngsters suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Belgium. Vella has awarded a first call-up to James Baldacchino, the Maltese-Australian defender who signed for Floriana in the close season, and Mosta midfielder Dexter Xuereb. Myles Beerman returns to the Malta U-21 squad after the Rangers left-back was included in the senior squad for the friendly match against Ukraine and the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia. Both games were played in June. All the Malta-based players in Vella’s selection are on the books of BOV Premier League clubs. The 20-strong squad comprises a number of players who figured for the Malta U-21 team that gained a record tally of 11 points in the last UEFA U-21 Championship qualifying campaign. These include Jean Borg, Jake Grech, Matthew Guillaumier, Jurgen Degabriele, Aidan Friggier and Joseph Mbong. The Malta U-21 contingent will depart for Cyprus on August 30, and return from Hungary on September 6. MALTA U-21 SQUAD Goalkeepers: Jake Galea (Ħamrun Spartans); Philip Schranz (Birkirkara).Defenders: Jean Borg (Valletta); James Baldacchino (Floriana); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Nikolai Muscat (Gżira United|); Dunstan Vella (Hibernians); Kurt Zammit (Birkirkara); Sean Cipriott (Tarxien Rainbows); Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers).Midfielders: Myles Beerman (Glasgow Rangers); Dexter Xuereb (Mosta); James Brincat (Tarxien Rainbows); Jake Grech (Birkirkara); Matthew Guillaumier (Birkirkara); Zachary Scerri (Gżira United).Forwards: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians); Aidan Friggieri (St Andrews); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Kyran Nwoko (Valletta).