Miller draws inspiration from senior squad

Malta's U-21 team will resume their UEFA qualifying competition with an away match against Wales on Wednesday (kick-off 8.30 p.m.)

While their senior counterparts have been earning the plaudits for their gallant displays, Mark Miller's young guns have had little to smile about as their paltry return of zero points from three matches amply demonstrates.

Coach Miller acknowledged his team's struggles to make an impact in a tough group containing top nations like France and Romania but he insisted that not all is doom and gloom.

"Nowadays, the U-21s appear to be miles away from the national team who have had big success lately and are playing in front of fantastic crowds," Miller said.

"When things aren't going so well, you try to look for that bit of inspiration and I managed to get that from watching the A squad train this week.

"Of the 24 players in the national pool, 16 of them have come through the U-21s. The likes of Haber, Briffa, Bajada, Schembri, Sciberras and Azzopardi have all played for the U-21 team in the last four years but before that, there was a five-year gap when you compare their age with that of Said, Agius, Woods etc."

Commenting on his team's next assignment, Miller said: "Wales is going to be another difficult away game. Their squad is mainly made up of players from English first division clubs and they also have others with Premiership teams."

Miller's squad

Keepers - Miguel Montfort (Pietà); Luke Woods (Ware FC, England).

Defenders - Steven Bezzina (Valletta); Steve Borg (Mosta); Jonathan Caruana, Clayton Failla (both Hibs); Tyrone Farrugia (Msida); Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Mqabba); Edward Herrera (Pietà); Duncan Pisani (Floriana).

Midfielders - Edmond Agius (Hibs); Matthew Bartolo (Sliema); Dyson Falzon (Valletta); Paul Fenech (Birkirkara); Ryan Fenech (Hamrun).

Forwards - Stephen Meilak (Hamrun); John Mintoff (Mqabba); Ian Zammit (Valletta).