Malta U16 to play two friendlies against Austria U16

Following their successful participation in the UEFA Youth Development Mini-Tournament a few weeks ago, the Malta Under-16 team resume their international duties with two friendly matches against Austria U-16, one of the teams they will meet in the UEFA U-17 qualifying tournament later this year. Malta Under-16 coach Noel Turner has selected a squad of 20 players for two friendlies, being played on Monday, March 19 (kick-off 11am) and Thursday, March 22 (kick-off 2pm), at the Malta FA Training Grounds. Turner has retained the bulk of players who formed part of the squad that claimed top spot in the UEFA Youth Development Tournament but also added some new faces. “Our young players need to play against stronger opposition on the international stage to further improve their standards,” Turner told www.mfa.com.mt. The Under-16 side will be vying to build on their positive performances that resulted in wins over Andorra (on penalties), Gibraltar and Liechtenstein in the UEFA Tournament but Turner acknowledged that Austria will be a different proposition. “We were pleased with our performances and wins in the UEFA tournament but that is in the past now,” the Malta U-16 coach said “These two matches against Austria will be a lot tougher.” Turner expressed his gratitude to the Malta FA for giving these young players the opportunity to test themselves at a high level ahead of their participation in the UEFA Under-17 Championship Qualifying Mini-Tournament in October. Apart from Malta and Austria, the other teams in Group 3 are hosts Slovenia and Bulgaria. “These two friendlies were arranged before the UEFA Under-17 qualifying draw,” Turner said. “In a way, it’s good that we have two opportunities to test our level against Austria before our competitive encounter against them in October.” MALTA UNDER-16 SQUAD GOALKEEPERSDylan Ciappara (Mosta FC); Matthias Debono (Ħamrun Spartans FC). DEFENDERSGianluca Borg (Pietà Hotspurs FC); Ismael Borg (Mosta FC); Matthew Ellul (Hibernians FC); Kurt Galea (Pietà Hotspurs); Sheldon Mizzi (Pietà Hotspurs FC); Luke Daniel Musu (San Ġwann FC); Sean Schembri (Qormi FC). MIDFIELDERSEmerson Camilleri (Pietà Hotspurs FC); Nikolai Farrugia Cross (Birkirkara FC); Jordan Kelly (St Andrews FC); Glen Mifsud (Hibernians FC); Karl Mohnani (Melita FC); Gianluca Sciberras (Mosta FC). FORWARDSJake Bone (Pietà Hotspurs); Kurt Buhagiar (Valletta FC); Kurt Desira (Valletta FC); Jake Engerer (Cesena Calcio, Italy); Mattia Veselji (St Andrews FC).