Silvio Vella – the new Malta U-21 coach. Photo: Domenic Aquilina

Silvio Vella makes his bow as Malta U-21 coach this evening when his young team take on Turkey in their final UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier at the National Stadium (kick-off 6pm).

Vella, who has taken over from Ray Farrugia after the latter was appointed assistant coach of the senior team, will be hoping to enjoy a positive debut but to achieve that, his side must put an end to a dismal run of seven consecutive defeats that has left them anchored to the bottom of the Group 7 table with no points.

Today’s match offers Malta one last chance to get off the mark and restore some lost pride but it will not be an easy task as Turkey need the three points to remain with a chance of qualifying for the finals.

Malta are going into their final qualifier without six key players as Bjorn Kristensen, Zach Muscat, Ryan Scicluna, Jean Paul Farrugia and Steve Pisani have been promoted to the senior squad and midfielder Daniel Zerafa is suspended.

Farrugia, who recently joined Slovakian side Spartak Trnava on a season-long loan, would not have been available anyway as the striker also received a one-match ban after Malta U-21s’ 2-1 defeat to Sweden in their last qualifier.

Although the absence of so many first-choice players can only be seen as a setback for Malta’s hopes of gaining something from their duel with the Turks, Vella declared himself pleased about their inclusion in the senior squad for yesterday’s friendly against Slovakia and Tuesday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia.

“Five U-21 players have been drafted into the senior squad,” Vella told a news conference at the Seabank Hotel yesterday.

“One of the main objectives of the U-21 team is to produce more players for the senior side. It’s important that we give our players international experience at all youth levels as this is crucial for them to make the grade for the senior team.

“I’m convinced that, besides those who have been called up to the senior squad, there are other valid players in this Under-21 group who can also reach the next level.

“We have had to call new players but the positive thing is that these are all eligible for the next U-21 Championship qualifiers, the draws of which will be made in January.”

Vella gave a detailed account of his team’s preparations ahead of today’s match, explaining that he divided the squad into three groups for the first two days as he tried to tailor the training sessions according to the players’ energy and fitness levels. Some had turned out for their clubs in the midweek Premier League matches while others, especially those of Division One clubs, are short of competitive action.

Players’ fitness

Asked whether he has assessed the players’ fitness, Vella replied: “In terms of preparation, we can’t do physical tests on the players because these are very demanding and there is not enough time to do them.

“The physical condition of the players seems acceptable.

“One of my main concerns is that we have a number of players who are not playing regularly for their clubs while the Division One championship has not started yet. But the players have responded very well in training.”

Louis Cutajar, who recently signed for Hereford United, has joined up with his Malta U-21 team-mates while Brooke Farrugia and Lydon Micallef are back in the fray after spending a few days training with the senior squad.

Clyde Borg, the Malta U-21 captain, craves a positive ending to an otherwise disappointing cam-paign for his team.

“The training has been good and the new players have integrated well,” the Floriana midfielder said.

“Turkey have a very strong team and they will be going all out to take the points but we will play our game and be positive.

“We will try to gain at least a point from this final qualifier to close this competition on a good note.”

His views were echoed by team-mate Ryan Camenzuli who stressed that the players are determined “to give their all during the game” which should also serve as a good prepa-ration for the next U-21 competition.

Turkey, who beat Malta 4-0 at home last year, are level with Sweden on 10 points, five behind leaders Poland, who have played a game more, and two adrift of Greece.

Malta’s starting line-up
J. Borg, C. Attard, C. Grech, L. Cutajar, R. Camenzuli, C. Borg, B. Farrugia, L. Cremona, L. Micallef, J. Pisani, L. Montebello.

Group Seven