Coach Silvio Vella named a squad of 18 players yesterday as the Malta U-21 open the new season with two matches later this month.
The Maltese youngsters travel to Luxembourg for a friendly match on March 23 before taking on Belgium their opening Euro 2019 qualifier four days later.
While Vella can still rely on a host of players who were part of the last Malta U-21 squad, the likes of Joseph Mbong, the Hibernians winger currently playing on loan with Croatian club NK Inter Zapresic, Jake Grech, the Ħamrun Spartans captain, Hibernians forward Jurgen Degabriele and Valletta’s versatile midfielder Jean Borg, he has also promoted a host of new players.
Nine of the 18 players in Vella’s selection were part of the Malta U-17 squad that participated in the UEFA European Championship final tournament, played here in 2014.
Most of the younger members of the Malta U-21 squad were born either in 1997 or 1998 while Myles Beerman, who is playing for the Academy of Scottish club Rangers, has just turned 18.
“There is continuation,” Vella told www.mfa.com.mt.
“The players who were in the Malta U-17 squad for the UEFA tournament have a lot of international experience, albeit the levels are different.
“But, the most important thing is that these young players have improved and are now playing quite regularly for their clubs.
“We also have a few players who have experience at U-21 level as they were also part of the last squad. Their contribution will also be very important for us.
“Our objective is to maintain a high level of performance in this qualifying campaign.”
In the last UEFA U-21 qualifying trek, Malta collected 11 points in Group 1, the best ever tally by a national selection.
Malta U-21 Squad
Goalkeepers: J. Galea (St Andrews); P. Schranz (Tarxien Rainbows).
Defenders: J. Borg (Valletta); M. Sansone (Sliema); K. Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); N. Muscat (San Ġwann); D. Vella (Hibernians); K. Zammit (Tarxien).
Midfielders: M. Beerman (Rangers); J. Suda (Pietà Hotspurs); J. Corbalan (Gżira); J. Grech (Ħamrun Spartans); M. Guillaumier (Birkirkara); Z. Scerri (Gżira United).
Forwards: J. Degabriele (Hibernians); A. Friggieri (St Andrews); J. Mbong (NK Inter Zapresic); K. Nwoko (St Andrews).