Aidan Friggieri (no.7) runs forward during the game against Turkey at the UEFA U-17 Championship. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

With the 2014 UEFA U-17 Championship consigned to the arch-ives, Malta’s new youth squad will be involved in their first serious test this week when they take part in 34th Hungarian U-17 International Tournament.

The four-team competition is part of Malta’s preparations for the 2014/15 UEFA U-17 qualifying round Group Eight, also featuring hosts Serbia, Netherlands and Finland.

The mini-tournament will be played between October 9 and 14.

Guided by Argentine coach Sergio Soldano, the Maltese youngsters will get an early chance to gauge Serbia’s strength as the two nations meet in their opening game this afternoon, starting at 5.30. Hungary take on Ireland in today’s other match.

Malta face Ireland on Thursday before completing their commitments against hosts Hungary on Saturday.

“Our objective is to prepare for the UEFA tournament in October,” Soldano told Times of Malta.

“It’s an important test for us as we’re playing against strong teams, including Serbia. Physically, this tournament will pose a significant challenge for the boys as they will be up against big and strong opponents.”

From the squad that represented Malta at the UEFA U-17 Championship, only four players, Matthew Guillaumier, Aidan Friggieri, Nick Ghio and Jean Borg, are in the group that made the trip to Hungary on Sunday.

Club commitments have forced winger Myles Beerman, who is registered with the Manchester City Academy, to give the tournament a miss.

Soldano has high hopes for this group of players, most of whom handpicked by Malta FA coaches when the Academy project came into existence over three years ago.

“The 1998 players are a compact group,” Soldano said.

“This squad has improved in the last three years. Our project has now reached an important phase as, in two to three years’ time, these players and the U-19s will form the backbone of the U-21s.”

Despite losing all three of their Group A games against England (3-0), the Netherlands (5-2) and Turkey (4-0) at the UEFA Cham-pionship in May, Malta U-17 still gained admiration for their efforts to play positive and constructive football.

Soldano hopes that the experience also served to strengthen the self-belief of the country’s emerging players.

“The UEFA U-17 Championship has provided us with some important parameters,” Soldano.

“It showed that we can do well if we are prepared to work hard.

“We’re aware of our limitations but we must approach every game the right way. Tactical discipline is the key but our players also need to show character.”

Malta U-17 squad

Goalkeepers: T. Aquilina (Sliema); D. Bugeja (Hibs).

Defenders: J. Borg (Valletta); N. Ghio (Hibs); C. Grech (Hibs); N. Pulis (Valletta); J. Vella (Sliema).

Midfielders: M. Guillaumier (St An-drews); M. Sansone (Sliema); J. Sciriha (Qormi); D. Xuereb (Hibs); K. Xuereb (Hibs); C. Zammit (Hibs).

Forwards: Z. Brincat (Mosta); B. Caruana (Hibs); C.R. Fenech (Valletta); A. Friggieri (Sliema); L. Mifsud (Melita).