Midfielder Dylan Scicluna handed Malta call-up ahead of crucial Andorra clash

Interim Malta coach Davide Mazzotta has announced a 27-man squad for the upcoming international fixtures this month.

Buoyed by a deserved 1-0 home victory over Moldova in their last UEFA Nations League match, Malta will face Liechtenstein in a friendly match on Thursday, November 14. The match will serve as a warm-up for their crucial UEFA Nations League showdown with Andorra on Tuesday, November 19.

The match against Andorra carries significant weight as should Moldova fail to beat the Andorrans on November 16, the national team will seal an historic promotion with victory in the November 19 clash.

Mazzotta’s selection sees one new addition in Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Dylan Scicluna, who earns his first call-up to the senior team.

Scicluna has already represented Malta at the UEFA U-19 European Championship finals as well as the UEFA U-21 Championship qualifiers. The squad also sees the return of several players who were absent due to injuries in October, including Floriana wingback Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, Enrico Pepe, of Gżira United, and Sliema Wanderers midfielder Steven Pisani.

Additionally, Sliema’s Myles Beerman has rejoined the team after missing out last month.

However, Mazzotta will be without Notts County forward Jodi Jones, and Luke Montebello and Steve Borg, both of Ħamrun Spartans, who are all currently sidelined with injuries.

Malta are currently sharing top spot in League D Group 2 alongside Moldova on six points, even though the former Russian Republic hold slight advantage having won the direct clash with a superior goal difference.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans), Rashed Al Tumi (FC Sheriff Tiraspol), Matthew Grech (Żabbar St Patrick).

Defenders: Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Luke Tabone (Haverfordwest County AFC), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians), Enrico Pepe (Gżira United), Gabriel Mentz (Gzira United).

Midfielders: Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna), Nikolai Muscat (Marsaxlokk), Ryan Scicluna (Marsaxlokk), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims), Steven Pisani (Sliema Wanderers), Dunstan Vella (Floriana), Dylan Scicluna (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana), Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers). 

Forwards: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians), Kemar Reid (Floriana), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara), Trent Anthony Buhagiar (Brescia Calcio), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading), Kyrian Nwoko (Floriana).