The Malta U-19 squad, under the guidance of coach Wayne Attard, headed to Italy yesterday ahead of their participation in the annual Roma Caput Mundi tournament which kicks off today.

Albania, Italy’s Lega Nazionale Dilettanti selection and the England Schools team are Malta’s opponents in Group B.

For Attard’s team, this tournament, now in its 11th edition, is an important part of their build-up ahead of the UEFA U-19 Cham-pionship qualifying round later this year.

A massive challenge awaits the Maltese youngsters in October as they will be facing three strong nations – The Netherlands, who will be hosting the tournament, Slovenia and Hungary.

Attard said: “The main objective is to prepare adequately for the UEFA qualifiers.

“This is a new squad and we will use this tournament to try all the players in the group.

“In our squad, we have included several players aged 17 or under as we also have an eye on the future.

“The tournament in Rome will also double as a training camp for us which is always very fruitful at this time of the year.”

The opening game for the Malta U-19s at the Caput Mundi is against Albania today. The match will be played at the Roberto Abbafati Stadium in Lariano.

Tomorrow, Attard’s team meet the Italian selection, this time in the small town of Collefero, and on Thursday they face the England schools side at the Gianni Fraiegari Stadium, in Piglio.

All group fixtures kick off at 3pm.

Group A comprises the Lazio regional youth selection, the Welsh Schools team, Greece and Romania.

The first-placed teams in the two groups progress to the final, scheduled for next Friday.

Malta U-19 squad

Goalkeepers: Rashed Al Tumi (ASD Katane Soccer); Duncan Formosa (St Andrews).

Defenders: Jeremy Busuttil (Ħamrun); Gary Camilleri (Balzan); Romario Camilleri (Frosinone); Zachary Grech (Pembroke); Mark Fenech (Naxxar); Dejan Debono (St Andrews).

Midfielders: Jurgen Grech (Mosta); Jan Busuttil (Pietà Hotspurs); Mark Desira (Sliema); Neil Frendo (Mosta); Kurt Shaw (Sliema).

Forwards: Omar Elouni (Sliema Wanderers); Kyle Mifsud (Birkirkara); Andrei Spiteri (ASD Katane Soccer); Malcolm Vella Vidal (St Andrews); Mattia Zarb (Floriana).

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