Ivan Woods selects Malta U-21’s squad for Belgium, Scotland qualifications

Ivan Woods has trimmed his provisional squad to 22 players as the Malta U-21’s will resume their European Championship qualifications.

Malta host Belgium this Friday at the Tony Bezzina before taking on Scotland in Motherwell, next Tuesday.

Former Malta international Woods picked Daniel Letherby and Alfie Bridgman, both in line to make their national team debut in this category.

The Maltese selection launched its qualifying campaign with two defeats against Spain (0-6) and Hungary (0-3).

Belgium, on their part, won their opener 1-0 against Kazakhstan while Scotland lost narrowly to Spain in their first game of the group.

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The Red Devils have picked a very strong squad for their double header against Malta and Hungary including captain Aster Vranckx, who plays for Wolfsburg, Genoa’s Koni De Winter and Samuel Mbangula who plays for Juventus Next Gen in the Serie C and is yet to make his U-21’s debut for Belgium.

On the other hand, Scotland coach Scot Gemmill – son of former European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest Archie – has also introduced new faces to the squad in Manchester City forward Emilio Lawrence and Crewe Alexandra defender Connor O’Riordan.

Included in the squad are also Liverpools’s Ben Doak, Leon King of Rangers, Liam Morrison of Bayern Munich (now on loan at Wigan Athletic) and Newcastle United’s Jude Smith.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Dylan Ciappara (Mosta), Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions) and Hugo Sacco (Eastern New Mexico University, USA).

DEFENDERS
Matthew Ellul (Żabbar St. Patrick), Zean Leonardi (Pieta’ Hotspurs), Mattias Ellul (Santa Lucia), Owen Spiteri (Floriana), Jake Vassallo (Mosta) and Isaac Cutajar (Pieta’ Hotspurs).

MIDFIELDERS
Jake Micallef (Leixoes, Portugal), Kurt Bondin (Żebbuġ Rangers), Daniel Letherby (Eastern New Mexico University, USA), Andrew Borg (Gżira United), Gianluca Sciberras (Mosta), Aleandro Garzia (Floriana), Karl Mohnani (Melita) and Nikolai Micallef (Naxxar Lions). 

FORWARDS
Jamie Carbone (Santa Lucia), Alfie Bridgman (Eastbourne Borough, England), Mattia Veselji (Floriana), Andrea Zammit (Messina Calcio, Italy) and Jake Engerer (Sliema Wanderers).