Boris names U21 squad for September's double-header

Hungary U21s retain realistic hope of finishing in the qualifying group's top two places but to do this, they will surely need to win one or both of their matches against Sweden and Belgium, the two teams each six points above them in the qualifying group, in the next fortnight.

Boris has selected a 24-man squad but is missing several key players, Dániel Sallói having been called up to the full national squad and team captain Ákos Kecskés and influential midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai ruled out through injury. Bence Tóth is included in the squad for this double-header but must sit out the first match in Sweden due to suspension. Noteworthy is that ten of the squad were born in 1998 or later and will therefore be eligible for the next U21 European Championship campaign too.

"It's never good if a team is to miss its captain and aside from Ákos Kecskés there are other absences too, but around 40 players have had the chance to impress in recent times so we know exactly who can replace the absent key players", Boris told MLSZ.hu. "I'm very happy that Dániel Sallói is another young player to have made the step up to the full national team; naturally, we'll continue to count him and the other absentees as players in our squad and we'll battle with them in mind in the next two matches too. An important match awaits us in Sweden, one in which we need to gain the three points so that we remain in the hunt for qualification. So far, my players have always stepped onto the pitches for every match with a great attitude and I don't think it'll be any different this time, so although we have a very tough match in front of us, I'm optimistic about the contest".

Boris' Under-21 squad will travel to Sweden on Wednesday for the match on Friday which will kick off in Falkenberg at 18:00. Last November, the two teams met in the Ferenc Szusza Stadium in Újpest and despite surging into a two-goal lead, Hungary were pegged back by the visitors and had to settle for a single point. Boris' charges will travel home the day after Friday's match and continue you their preparations for the home qualifier with Belgium at 18:00 on 11th September, one which will also be played in the Ferenc Szusza stadium.

Hungary's Under 21 national squad (surnames first):

Goalkeepers:

Demjén Patrik (Budaörs)
Bese Balázs (Vasas)
Gundel-Takács Bence (Újpest FC)

Defenders:

Katona Máté (MTK Budapest)
Szivacski Donát (Vasas)
Lenzsér Bence (Paksi FC)
Pávkovics Bence (Újpest FC)
Spandler Csaba (Puskás Akadémia)
Hegedűs János (Puskás Akadémia)
Tóth Bence (Videoton FC)
Szalai Attila (Mezőkövesd)
Gergényi Bence (ZTE)

Midfielders:

Vida Máté (DAC)
Jancsó András (Haladás)
Gazdag Dániel (Budapest Honvéd)
Hinora Kristóf (Vasas)
Varga Kevin (DVSC)
Haris Attila (DVSC)

Forwards:

Murka Benedek (Vasas)
Makrai Gábor (DVTK)
Bíró Bence (Guimares)
Kundrák Norbert (Soroksár)
Zsótér Donát (Újpest FC)
Banó-Szabó Bence (Budapest Honvéd)

Qualifying group standings:

1. Belgium 7 matches - 17 points
2. Sweden 7 - 17
3. Hungary 6 - 11
4. Turkey 7 - 8
5. Cyprus 8 - 6
6. Malta 7 - 0