The Maltese 1980s-1990s national team was back in action last Saturday – after about 20 years - in Modica, Sicily, where it faced a team consisting of past Italian Masters.

To the disappointment of many, several Italian players who had promised former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi (the chief organiser) that they were taking part in the match, did not make an appearance. Among them were Roberto Baggio and Giancarlo Antognoni. I was told that till Friday, these two former stars had confirmed their participation, but they never appeared.

It was an occasion which served to re-unite Maltese football glories of the past in a family atmosphere which rekindled memories of the days when most of those players were the pioneers in the Professional Scheme in the MFA’s national squad.

It was a real pity that certain players, among them John Buttigieg and Carmel Busuttil, were not among the group, probably because of their current dispute with the association – their suspension has not yet been lifted. Others who had to drop at the last moment were David Carabott, Jonathan Magri Overend and Martin Gregory.

But the 20-strong squad under the charge of former national coach Pippo Psaila still included players who made Malta proud on several occasions during that era.

Of these, only one player, Paul Zammit, never played a match with the national team, but had been a reserve in the squads for two matches.

The players who made the trip and took part in the match at one time or another were the following:

Goalkeepers: Reggie Cini, Ernest Barry.

Defenders: Silvio Vella, Richard Buhagiar, Joe Galea, Jesmond Delia, Edwin Camilleri, Michael Woods, Dennis Cauchi.

Midfielders: Joe Camilleri, Raymond Vella, Nicky Saliba, Michael Degiorgio, Joe Brincat, Ivan Zammit, Joe Sant Fournier, Gilbert Agius.

Strikers: Stefan Sultana, Paul Zammit.

The match on Saturday evening was held on the occasion of the inauguration of the refurbished Stadio Vincenzo Barone in the beautiful old city of Modica.

Also present for the match were MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo and the association’s Chief Executive Officer, Bjorn Vassallo.

Before the kick-off, a one minute silence was observed in memory of former past players and officials from both sides who had departed this life. Among the Maltese mentioned were David Cluett, Simon Tortell and former kit managers Joseph Schembri (It-Tripolin) and Carmel Gauci. Mention was also made of Italy’s Pazzagli and Scirea.

Malta started the match on a top note with a fine combination between Saliba, Sultana and Agius ending with the former City skipper beating Tacconi to give his side the lead.

The Italians equalised a few minutes later through Caccia and even took the lead through the same player on the 20th minute.

Before the interval, Brincat also hit the post for Malta and Sultana scored from the rebound, but was unluckily ruled offside.

Tacconi and Landucci (in the second half) denied Agius what would have been a deserved equaliser for Malta before Lucenti scored a third for the azzurri.

Then Reggie Cini, who played in the second half, twice effected good saves but Edwin Camilleri received a good round of applause from all those present as he scored Malta’s second goal, beating Landucci with an excellent shot from around 30 metres.

The Italians scored their last two goals from counterattacks in the final moments through Gori and Lucenti.

At the end of the match, it was heartening to hear from a Sicilian colleague that he was impressed with the performance of the Malta team, especially Ray Vella, Joe Brincat and Gilbert Agius whom he described as very intelligent and highly gifted players.

The match was the highlight of the two-day activity, on the first of which, there was also a presentation ceremony at the premises of the Modica city council.

During the brief ceremony, the mayor of Modica, Antonio Buscema, and Mark Attard, MFA PRO, and Dr Chris Bonnett, MFA legal adviser, exchanged gifts. The person responsible for sport in the Modica council, Vincenzo Cavallino, was also present.

In a short speech, Stefano Tacconi, on whose initiative the activity was held, made a brief speech in which he revealed that all proceeds from the activity will be presented to a society taking care of disabled children (like Puttinu Cares of Malta).

It is to be mentioned that the Maltese contingent, which also included a large number of supporters, some of whom from Gozo, also contributed a hefty amount in favour of such disabled children.