Buttigieg omits Bogdanovic, Haber for Georgia friendly

Malta coach John Buttigieg yesterday named a 20-man squad for Wednesday's friendly match against Georgia.

Buttigieg has elected to leave out striker Daniel Bogdanovic and keeper Justin Haber for his first match in charge of the national team.

Bogdanovic came on as a second-half substitute in Barnsley's 2-2 draw away to Sheffield Wednesday yesterday but Haber was not in Sheffield United's squad for Friday's 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough.

Etienne Barbara, who is still out of contract, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, now with Sliema, and Birkirkara midfielder George Mallia have also been dropped. Mallia has yet to regain full fitness after having surgery on an injured ankle.

Michael Mifsud, who is still without a club, has been included in Malta's 20-man squad which will be reduced to 18 players tomorrow.

Squad

Goalkeepers: A. Hogg (Valletta), M. Muscat (Hibs).

Defenders: A. Agius (Cassino), I. Azzopardi (Sliema), J. Caruana (Hibs), L. Dimech (Valletta), A. Muscat (Sliema), B. Said (Marsaxlokk),K. Scicluna (Valletta).

Midfielders: G. Agius (Valletta), S. Bajada (Birkirkara), R. Briffa (Valletta), C. Failla (Sliema), R. Fenech (Sliema), J. Pace (Valletta), K. Sammut (Valletta), A. Cohen (Hibs).

Forwards: M. Mifsud, A. Schembri (SK Kaernten), I. Woods (Sliema).