The Malta Under21 Team make their first appearance in a new competition as the UEFA U21 European Championship Group C for the boys gets underway on Friday on home soil against Northern Ireland.
It’s also the first competitive bow for coach Gilbert Agius installed in leading forward this group of players since March this year.
Before summer he made his Malta U21 debut in the dug-out with two friendly matches against Qatar U23 and Bosnia Herzegovina during Slovenia training camp, but the real challenge starts here in this daunting group for the U21 Team also comprising Spain, Slovakia, Lithuania and Russia, the latter the next opponents for the boys on Tuesday next week in Khimki following the 90 minutes on Friday against Northern Ireland at the Centenary Stadium.
Speaking on the eve of his official debut coach Agius said he’s eager to find out what is our level, lauded this new crop of players, a total of 12 individuals in this current squad who never previously tasted a competitive match at this U21 level, what this group of players has managed to soak up thus far from this unified game philosophy, as he believes the game on Friday is a good test to witness where we currently stand in the progress made so far.
“In training sessions since we convened early last week, myself and the rest of my technical staff had the possibility to notice the boys are following all instructions yielded to them, now it’s up to them to maintain this spirit during training and embrace the method of football we are trying to install and see them striving further at this level.
Malta Under21 Team coach declared, “I am pleased to see my players who are showing desire to further pursue in their footballing career, keep learning, all mindful they are only one step away from the National Team, and that is our ultimate aim, results boost your confidence, but ultimately I will be looking for a solid performance, see these players thrive more and do our best as Technical Staff to see them well prepared for the senior level when the opportunity arise”.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Coach Gilbert Agius also highlighted the fact the Malta U21 Team was in same competition with Northern Ireland in previous competition, a 0-0 positive draw in Antrim, before losing 2-0 at home.
“They still have five players from previous competition, they have players from Mnachester United and Leeds who are currently loaned out, since our 0-0 draw in Antrim in September 2019 they have changed three coaches, we know the physical strength of British sides”.
He stressed, “The side we face on Friday also possess players who are strong at this level, indeed promoted previously to senior side and who have been withdrawn back to the U21 side to gain more experience and help this team”.
ULTIMATE AIM
Gilbert Agius reiterated, “If in every competition we could be able to produce three to four players for the National Team then our aim is complete, we have to ensure that my players at this level get more experience, keep developing and make themselves ready for the step up.
He insisted, “I believe in this group of players, there is talent around my squad, so pleased with their work ethic, however these players need more playing time.
“There is a tremendous gap between training hard and playing, training hard is not enough, my players need to taste more regularly the intensity of the 90 minutes also at club level, yet again I reaffirm my objective is to see this group of players perform well and results will surely follow”, Gilbert Agius concluded.
