Malta U-21 coach Ray Farrugia is backing his players to put behind them last month’s double setback in Group Two with a spirited per-formance this evening against Ukraine at the Gozo Stadium (kick-off: 18.00).

After collecting four points in their opening two away qualifiers in Lithuania and Finland, Far-rugia’s boys were brought down to earth with a bump after back-to-back home defeats to Slovenia (4-1) and Finland (2-1), both at the Hibs Stadium.

Farrugia admitted that those setbacks had left a sour taste and he believes that today’s match represented an excellent oppor-tunity for his team to restore some lost pride.

“The players in the squad know the team did poorly in our last two outings so I’m expecting them to hit back,” the coach told The Times yesterday.

“Ukraine will be difficult to beat though. Physically, they are very strong and fast in their play. But in football everything can happen.

“Anyway, my players are in a good shape and technically I don’t think Ukraine are much better than us.”

Farrugia is expected to give Gozitan goalkeeper Steve Sultana, formerly of Nadur Youngsters but now on Qormi’s books, the chance to play on ‘home’ soil when he starts in goal.

The team’s defensive back-four will be composed of Zach Muscat and Luca Martinelli patrolling the flanks with Yessous Camilleri and Owen Bugeja filling the central defensive positions.

The midfield trio will be Rowen Muscat, Bjorn Kristensen and Clyde Borg while upfront striker Miguel Ciantar will be supported from the flanks by Terrence Vella and Leighton Grech, provided the latter declares himself fit after feeling unwell yesterday.

Ukraine are also coming into this match from a defeat.

Last month they went down to group leaders Slovenia 2-0 in their only match played so far in the group.

Malta’s formation

S. Sultana, Z. Muscat, Y. Camilleri, O. Bugeja, L. Martinelli, R. Muscat, B. Kristensen, C. Borg, L. Grech (T. Caruana), M. Ciantar, T. Vella.

Referee: Stavros Tritsonis (Greece).