Malta Under-21 coach Ray Farrugia will have his work cut out this evening to field a competitive team to play Greece in another Group Seven away qualifier at the Peristeri Municipal Stadium, Athens.

For the home team this will be their first showing of the competition and a positive result is all that’s good for them to start their campaign on the right footing.

Having lost to Poland (0-2) and Turkey (0-4) in their opening two matches, Malta will do their utmost not to concede a third defeat today.

However, their task was rendered more difficult by the absence of three key players as two other first-teamers are carrying injuries from last week’s match in Istanbul.

In fact, Farrugia will have to do without captain Zach Muscat, who is suspended after a second booking against Turkey, while injured duo Louis Cutajar and Bjorn Kristensen are definitely out.

Mark Spiteri, of Balzan, and Hibernians youngster Brandon Muscat have already been added to the Under-21 squad to beef up the numbers but strikers Jean Paul Farrugia and Steve Pisani are also having treatment for knocks picked up against Turkey to further complicate matters for the team selectors.

“This is no good position we’re in at the moment,” Farrugia admitted.

“We lost our captain for this match and also two other valid members in our squad.

“We thought we could recover from last week’s poor showing in Turkey with a better performance here but our plans will have to be altered now.

“I’m not one to lose hope easily but I know this will be a difficult match for us. Still, I have full confidence in my players.

“There will be one or two new faces in the team but the decision as regards my line-up will only be made in the last minute.”

Among those likely to make their debut for Malta U-21 today is Johann Bezzina, the 19-year-old Hibernians midfielder.

Last week, Farrugia’s team conceded three goals in a one-sided first half against Turkey.

However, the team recovered shape after the break and the home team only succeeded in adding one other goal to their tally despite their constant pressure and the backing from the hostile crowd at the Kasimpasa stadium.

Today’s matches: 17.30 Greece vs Malta. 18.00 Turkey vs Sweden.