Birkirkara’s Cain Attard made the cut to Malta’s final squad for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier as coach Pietro Ghedin finalised his list of 20 players yesterday.
Attard, who was initially named in the ‘B’ squad, seized his chance when he impressed Ghedin during a friendly on Wednesday.
This is not the first time Attard has been called to the senior squad as the Birkirkara right-back earned his first cap for Malta in the friendly game against the Czech Republic last May.
From the provisional list announced last week, Ryan Camenzuli, of Floriana, and Samir Arab, the Balzan defender, have not been retained.
Jurgen Pisani, of Floriana, pulled out of the squad after sustaining a knee injury during training at Ta’ Qali earlier this week.
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: A. Hogg (Hibernians); H. Bonello (Birkirkara).
Defenders: J. Borg, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (both Gżira); Z. Muscat (Arezzo); S. Magri (Dover Athletic); R. Camilleri (Valletta); J. Zerafa, C. Attard (both Birkirkara).
Midfielders: G. Sciberras (Birkirkara); B. Kristensen (Hibernians); S. Pisani (Floriana); L. Gambin (Luton Town); P. Fenech, R. Fenech (both Balzan); M. Scerri (Sliema Wanderers).
Forwards: M. Mifsud (Valletta); A. Schembri (Boavista); J.P.Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers); L. Montebello (Valletta).