Malta squad arrive in Cadiz ahead of Spain qualifier

The Malta squad arrived in Cadiz on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their EURO 2020 qualifying match against Group F leaders Spain on Friday (kick-off 20.45). The match, at the Ramon de Carranza Stadium, is Malta’s penultimate in this European Championship qualifying campaign. On Monday, Malta face Norway at the National Stadium in their last EURO 2020 qualifier. The first training session for the Malta squad ahead of the final international week was held on Sunday morning with the players who were involved in Sunday’s BOV Premier League matches reporting for international duty on Monday. Malta coach Ray Farrugia has called up two uncapped players, 19-year-old goalkeeper Rashed Al-Tumi, who plays for Casarano Calcio in Italy, and 24-year-old Floriana midfielder Brandon Paiber. Gżira United flank player Juan Corbalan is back in the frame after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of last month’s qualifiers against Sweden (0-4) and Faroe Islands (0-1). Valletta defender Steve Borg is suspended for the Spain qualifier but will be available for the match against Norway at the National Stadium on Monday.  Hibernians defender Ferdinando Apap is not part of the final squad for the Spain qualifier. Led by coach Robert Moreno, Spain are top of Group F with 20 points from eight matches, five more than second-placed Sweden, and have already qualfied for EURO 20020. Malta have three poinst, the same as Faroe Islands. Malta held their first training session in Rota, just outside Cadiz, on Wednesday evening with the official practice session at the Ramon de Carranza Stadium scheduled for Thursday at 17.30. The session will be preceded by the pre-match press conference, to be addressed by Malta coach Farrugia. MALTA SQUAD FOR SPAIN QUALIFIER GOALKEEPERSHenry Bonello (Valletta); Justin Haber (Gżira United); Rashed Al-Tumi (Casarano Calcio, Italy). DEFENDERSAndrei Agius, Joseph Mbong (both Hibernians); Jonathan Caruana, Joseph Zerafa (both Valletta); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Zach Muscat (SC Olhanense, Portugal); Jurgen Pisani (Floriana). MIDFIELDERSTriston Caruana (Ħamrun Spartans); Juan Corbalan (Gżira United); Paul Fenech (Balzan); Jake Grech, Dunstan Vella (both Hibernians); Nikolai Muscat (Gżira United); Rowen Muscat (Valletta); Brandon Paiber (Floriana). FORWARDSAlfred Effiong (Balzan); Luke Gambin (Colchester United, England); Michael Mifsud (Birkirkara); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).