Malta U-21’s selection to face Kazakhstan, Scotland in qualifying finale

The Malta U-21’s selection will wrap up its European Championship qualifications with two matches against Kazakhstan and Scotland.

Led by coach Ivan Woods, Malta will face Kazakhstan in Almaty this Thursday before hosting Scotland, next Tuesday.

Malta have already played six qualifiers but are yet to record a single point.

While conceding 16 goals, they just scored twice in the 2-1 defeat to Scotland in Motherwell and in the 3-1 loss against Belgium, in Leuven.

For this double header, coach Woods picked 21 players including Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Dylan Scicluna.

Scicluna, 20, has 17 appearances for the A-League club.

Included in the squad is Basil Tuma, who has featured in three games for Reading’s first team this season including in last weekend’s win over Charlton Athletic in League One.

Hibernians forward Isaiah Chukunyere, 19, has earned a call-up after his bright start to the 2024/2025 campaign where he registered one goal in three appearances.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Dylan Ciappara (Balzan), Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions), Hugo Sacco (Hibernians).

DEFENDERS
Matthew Ellul (Hibernians), Owen Spiteri (Floriana), Sven Xerri (Ħamrun Spartans), Zean Leonardi (Pieta’ Hotspurs), Deacon Abela (Swieqi United), Jake Micallef (Żabbar St. Patrick).

MIDFIELDERS
Aleandro Garzia (Floriana), Karl Mohnani (Melita), Nikolai Micallef (Naxxar Lions), Kurt Bondin (Melita), Andrew Borg (Gżira United), Dylan Scicluna (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia), Matthew Debattista (Melita), Daniel Letherby (Ħamrun Spartans).

FORWARDS
Mattia Veselji (Floriana), Andrea Zammit (Birkirkara), Basil Tuma (Reading, England), Isaiah Chukunyere (Hibernians).