Under 21 coach Mark Miller was clear in stating yesterday that his side was miles away from the national team. And he admitted he was looking at some inspiration to face the remaining group matches.
He said: “Things are not going so well and we have not produced the desired results, even if we have been drawn in one of the toughest groups. Yet, let us not forget that the success of the current national team is owed to the fact that several of its players had undergone the same routine when still playing in the Under 21 category. They have now made the grade and I am sure that my current squad will also provide the backbone of the national team in future,” he said.
Miller added: “I do not question the abilities of the players. I am aware they are talented, but they lack leadership and character. To be fair, however, I must say they have faced massive games. Yet, we all have to raise our level if we are to compete and get the desired good results.”
As to the Wales game, Miller said it will definitely be another difficult task. “They also have some players playing regularly in England’s Championship where Michael Mifsud plays. It will not be easy but we are hoping to give them a good run for their money,” he said.
Squads
Seniors
Goalkeepers: M. Muscat (Hibs), J. Haber (Haidiri, Greece).
Defenders: I. Azzopardi (Sliema), R. Briffa (Sliema), L. Dimech (Macclesfield, England), J. Mifsud (Valletta), B. Said (Sliema), K. Scicluna (Valletta), S. Wellman (Marsaxlokk).
Midfielders: R. Bajada (Sliema W.), G. Mallia, U. Nwoko (Leixoes, Portugal), P. Pullicino and K. Sammut (Marsaxlokk ).
Strikers: M. Mifsud (Coventry, England), T. Scerri (Hibernians), A. Schembri (Eintracht Braunschweig, (Germany), I. Woods (Sliema).
Under 21
Goalkeepers: Miguel Montfort, Luke Woods.
Defenders: Steven Bezzina, Steve Borg, Jonathan Caruana, Clayton Failla, Tyron Farrugia, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Edward Herrera, Duncan Pisani.
Midfielders: Edmond Agius, Matthew Bartolo, Dyson Falzon, Paul Fenech, Ryan Fenech.
Strikers: Stephen Meilak, John Mintoff, Ian Zammit