Vella names 18-man squad for Sweden trip

Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella has selected the final 18-man squad for the UEFA U-21 Championship qualifying match against Sweden on Tuesday, October 10 (kick-off 18.45). Vella has added Gżira United midfielder Juan Corbalan and awarded the first official call-up to Żejtun Corinthians midfielder Neil Tabone. Wing-back Myles Beerman, who plays for Glasgow Rangers, is the only foreign-based player in Vella’s squad. The Maltese youngsters have endured a difficult start to the 2019 UEFA Championship qualifying campaign, losing their opening three Group 6 matches, all away, by an identical 2-1 scoreline. After opening their commitments with a 2-1 defeat to Belgium in March, the Malta U-21s looked set to open their account in their next qualifiers only to concede stoppage-time goals in their games against Cyprus and Hungary last month. Malta’s goals in this fledgling campaign have been scored by Birkirkara midfielder Jake Grech, Valletta defender Jean Borg and Beerman. After their trip to Sweden, the Malta U-21 team play their first home qualifier against Turkey at the Centenary Stadium on November 10. On Friday, Sweden drew 1-1 away to Belgium and Cyprus beat Turkey 2-1. MALTA U-21 FINAL SQUAD Goalkeepers: Jake Galea (Ħamrun Spartans); Philip Schranz (Birkirkara). Defenders: Jean Borg (Valletta); James Baldacchino (Floriana); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Dunstan Vella (Hibernians); Kurt Zammit (Birkirkara). Midfielders: Myles Beerman (Glasgow Rangers); Dexter Xuereb (Mosta); Juan Corbalan (Gżira United); Jake Grech (Birkirkara); Matthew Guillaumier (Birkirkara); Zachary Scerri (Gżira United); Neil Tabone (Żejtun Corinthians). Forwards: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians); Aidan Friggieri (St Andrews); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).