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U21 coach Vella says door is open for everyone

Published: 04-06-2019 09:25
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The Malta Under-21 team on Wednesday take on Bosnia Herzegovina in a friendly international as coach Silvio Vella is steering this team closer to a new competition with a double away header against Northern Ireland and Ukraine coming up for the boys in September. The foundation of the squad is taking shape in this transitional period for the Under-21s following the end of the last qualifying competition last year. Coach Vella has a clearer picture of the players who feature in his plans but insisted that no-on should take his place for granted. “This is our 24-man squad at the moment but players can change, the door is open for everyone," the Malta Under-21 coach said. "There are other players striving to get their chance. A case in point is the last competition in which we used 30 players, hence we are always on the look-out for players who can make it at this level and importantly getting playing time with their respective clubs." Vella added: "The friendly against Bosnia follows some good preparation with three weeks of relentless training where the boys gave their very best despite coming from a long and tiring season." The Malta Under-21 coach is pleased with the team's build-up for the upcoming UEFA Under-21 Championship Group 8 qualifying campaign. “Now the new competition is getting closer, we are grateful that the MFA has given us this opportunity to have another taste of international football, following the November double header in Albania, and the one-week training camp and two friendlies in Turkey three months ago," Vella said. “These are the games that can help our boys to improve their sharpness and adapt to the pace of international football. “Clearly Bosnia on Wednesday will not be easy, they are similar to Kosovo against whom we lost narrowly 1-0 in March. "They probably have an edge technically, hence we must be careful, stay focused throughout the 90 minutes and keep our tactical shape. "We will be doing our best in this final friendly before yet another qualifying competition for the boys kicks off in Belfast three months from now.” Entrance for Wednesday's Under-21 friendly match at the National Stadium is free. MALTA U21 SQUAD Goalkeepers :- Timmy Aquilina (Sliema Wanderers), Andreas Vella (Mosta). Defenders :- Jean Borg (Valletta), Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers), Connor Zammit (Hibernians), Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers), Nicholas Pulis (Valletta), Zachary Grech (Pembroke Athleta). Midfielders :- Myles Beerman (Gżira United), Gary Camilleri (Senglea Athletic), Neil Frendo (FK Beograd), Russell Fenech (Sirens), David Xuereb (Hibernians), Aidan Jake Friggieri (St Andrews), Jan Tanti (San Ġwann), Zack Cassar (Senglea Athletic), Ayrton Attard (Birkirkara). Forwards :- Jan Busuttil (Pietà Hotspurs), Zachary Brincat (Mosta), Omar Elouni (Sliema Wanderers).