Malta Under-21 coach Ray Farrugia has bemoaned his side’s inadequate preparations ahead of this evening’s friendly against Hungary at Budapest’s Bozsik Stadium.

The warm-up is a key stage in the team’s build-up for the daunting away double header against Turkey and Greece next month but Farrugia feels that his squad have not spent enough time together in pre-season.

Farrugia said: “I have to say that our preparations have been far from ideal. The majority of the players are still doing their pre-season training.

“Only the ones of Hibs and Birkirkara have played a few competitive games. I would have preferred that we had more time together. We have only had four proper training sessions before this trip to Hungary.”

Daniel Zerafa will earn his first start for the Malta U-21s today as Farrugia has selected the Ħamrun Spartans midfielder to replace the injured Ryan Scicluna.

Farrugia’s young guns produced a bold performance in their opening 2013-15 Under-21 European Championship Group 7 qualifier against Poland who needed two late goals to break Malta’s resistance.

The U-21 coach hopes that today’s friendly will motivate his team ahead of next month’s qualifiers.

“We’re playing against a strong Hungarian team,” Farrugia said.

“Our objectives are to play well and identify those areas where we need to improve. The mood is very positive. This group is united and the players are willing to work hard.

“I believe that we have a lot of talent in this squad which ranks as one of the best I have coached in terms of quality.”

Farrugia is particularly eager for his players to approach games without fear as he believes that this inherent lack of self-belief is undermining the progress of Maltese football.

“I want to see good, flowing football from my team,” the straight-talking Farrugia stressed.

“I want my players to feel confident, especially when in possession. What we do in training should be replicated during the game. Most of our players suffer from inferiority complex. If we manage to overcome this mental block, I’m sure we can improve.”

Today’s game follows the friendly between the U-21 teams of Malta and Hungary at the Hibs Stadium last year.

On that occasion, Hungary won 3-1.