Malta futsal squad set for six-day training camp at NSS

The Malta futsal squad will be holding a training camp at the National Sport School between September 21-26.

Zeljko Anicic, the national futsal coach, has named a squad of 14 players for this training camp. For the first time, the Malta FA Futsal Department has introduced a shadow squad, comprising nine players who are considered to be on the fringes of the senior squad, thus giving them the opportunity to adapt to the national team set-up and gain further experience.

Mark Marlow, Head of Futsal and Beach Soccer at the Malta FA, explained the shadow-squad concept.

“We are focusing on the present but also on the future,” Marlow said. “The current squad is made up of established and experienced players but we also want to give more opportunities to other players who have the potential to be part of the senior squad in the short as well as the long-term.

“This is the main objective of having a shadow squad of nine players who will be playing two friendly matches against the main team during this six-day training camp.”

UPCOMING FRIENDLIES

The Malta futsal squad will be using the training camp, which will be held behind closed doors, to prepare for friendly matches in the coming months.

 “We will be playing two friendly matches in Andorra at the start of November and two home games against Wales in December as part of the build-up to next year’s official international commitments,” Marlow said.

“This training camp will give the technical staff, led by head coach Zeljko Anicic, the opportunity to assess the physical condition of the players and work on tactical aspects.”

MALTA FUTSAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Clint Mifsud (Valletta Futsal), Stefan Vella (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Brandon Debono (Valletta Futsal).

Players
Marrwan Telisi (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Giancarlo Sammut (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Jovica Milijic (Valletta Futsal), Melvin Borg (Valletta Futsal), Dylan Musu (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Carl Azzopardi (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Andy Mangion (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Andrè Ciancio (Valletta Futsal), George Frendo (Valletta Futsal), Mark Zammit (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Aaron Montebello (Swieqi Futsal).

SHADOW SQUAD
Neil Cauchi (University of Malta Futsal), Denzil Pisani (Mellieħa Futsal), Matthew Attard (Luxol St Andrews Futsal), Kurt Bartolo (Ta’ Xbiex Futsal), Armando Gjepali (Mellieħa Futsal), Karl Sciortino (Swieqi Futsal), Stefan Camilleri (University of Malta Futsal), Cleaven Portelli (University of Malta Futsal), Ryan Gatt (Valletta Futsal).