Hats off to the Malta team – without exception – and to national coach Dusan Fitzel for an excellent performance and a memorable second competitive home win for Malta.

What a relief it was yesterday at the end of the 90 minutes to see the Maltese – players, coaches and the supporters – finally overjoyed with the success obtained on the field of play.

Our last home win in such competitions had been registered in the mid-1970s when Italian coach Terenzio Polverini had led his side to a 2-0 win over Greece. However, when Malta’s Stadium was banned by UEFA, Victor Scerri’s Malta had beaten Iceland 2-1 in Messina in nearby Sicily. Then Malta’s other win was obtained in 1993 by Pippo Psaila and his side in Estonia. After 13 long years, we have finally reaped rich dividends and we should only look forward with optimism after this great result.

And it was a richly deserved victory yesterday apart from the fact that it could have reached much bigger proportions had we taken all the chances which were created in both halves. In fact, I believe that we did not punish Hungary enough on a day when our side never showed any inferiority complex.

Andre Schembri was the hero of heroes as he netted both goals to the delight of the fairly sized crowd.

Malta performed very well in the first half and they could have easily ended it leading by two clear goals.

Apart from some initial shaky goalkeeping from Haber and some mistakes on the flanks, Malta managed to share the exchanges. Not only: after the fair expulsion of Vanczak, we even had enough chances to humiliate the Hungarians.

Another highlight on the day was the mesmerising performance of Michael Mifsud, certainly the inspiration of the side with his fast runs and mazy dribbling which left his opponents gasping. It must be said that he received perfect support from George Mallia, Andre Schembri and Kevin Sammut.

At first, it appeared that captain Gilbert Agius and his midfield counterpart Jamie Pace were going to have a quiet day, but as time went by, their performance also grew in stature.

In the second half, after another short shaky period, the Maltese settled down well and should have made the issue well beyond the Magyars’ reach in the opening 30 minutes as they created three splendid chances which were, however, wasted.

Here the Maltese defended bravely and it was in this half that Luke Dimech and Brian Said gave their heart out – both were outstanding at the back, as were Kenneth Scicluna and Steve Wellman on the flanks.

At the end, we were hard pressed, but our boys held on to collect three glorious points.

The first action arrived on 10 minutes – a full blooded 30 metre scorcher from Gilbert Agius which almost surprised Kiraly, but he managed to palm the ball wide.

On 12 minutes, Malta took the lead. A long pass forward by Brian Said was controlled by Mifsud who appeared to have slipped in the area only to get up quickly. His shot hit the crossbar but there was Andre Schembri to slot the ball home from close in.

On 16 minutes, it had to be Haber who saved the Malta fort as he blocked a dangerous incursion from Huszti.

Hungary did not take long to equalise. Only six minutes had passed when Toth profited from a lucky rebound to cross into the area where Torghelle anticipated a late challenge from Haber to head home.

Torghelle tried his luck again four minutes later, but this time he was well off target.

On the 25th minute, Mifsud forced Kiraly to dive sideways to save a dangerous grounder. Luckily for the Magyars, Schembri was a little late to get the rebound.

Haber twice came to Malta’s rescue on 32 minutes as he blocked shots from Szabics and Huszti.

On 37 minutes, Hungary ended up in ten men when Mallia set Mifsud beautifully. The latter was through only to be pulled down by Vanczak. The referee had no other option except to show the Hungarian central defender the red card. From the freekick, Gilbert Agius saw his shot saved by Kiraly.

On 40 minutes, the action repeated itself. Mallia sent a very inviting pass to Mifsud who advanced unhindered only to hit the ball just wide of the target with only Kiraly to beat.

On the 43rd minute, the local boys were very unlucky not to take the lead again. Mifsud advanced on the right, sold the dummy to Leandro and crossed low for Kevin Sammut’s shot to hit the base of the upright. The rebound went out to Jamie Pace whose shot was blocked by the diving Kiraly.

At the other end, immediately afterwards, it was Haber who miraculously saved the Malta fort as he blocked with his feet a low shot from Szabics, all alone in the middle of the area.

Soon after the second half started, Feher went close for Hungary, but it was Malta who struck again.

On the 51st minute, Gilbert Agius provided a superb pass to Andre Schembri who outsped his direct opponent, went round the goalie and hit home into an untenanted net.

Newcomer Czvitkovics forced Haber into a good save on the hour. At the other end, Gilbert Agius had a good effort blocked by a defender.

On 68 minutes, Malta had another good chance when Mifsud pinpointed a perfect ball for Andre Schembri who missed his hat-trick, lifting the ball well over the bar.

On 78 minutes, it should have been 3-1. Mifsud advanced unhindered on the left. His shot was partially parried by Kiraly and the ball rolled into substitute Terence Scerri’s path. With an open goal at his mercy, the Hibs striker could not believe his luck and incredibly shot wide.

In the final minutes of added time, the Maltese defended the result bravely as the Magyars, including goalkeeper Kiraly, were in the Malta area trying to get the equaliser.

This day will remain memorable in my life, the same as the previous victories against Greece and Estonia.

* * *

Malta’s only four competitive wins

Malta-Greece 2-0 (23.2.1975)

Malta-Iceland 2-1 (05.06.1982)

Estonia-Malta 0-1 (12.05.93)

Malta-Hungary 2-1 (11.10.06)

* * *

Malta: J. Haber, B. Said, S. Wellman, L. Dimech, G. Agius (P. Pullicino), K. Scicluna, M. Mifsud, K. Sammut, G. Mallia (A. Cohen), A. Schembri (T. Scerri), J. Pace.

Hungary: G. Kiraly, C. Feher (P. Halmosi), V. Vanczak, R. Juhasz, Leandro (Z. Kiss), B. Toth, I. Szabics (P. Czvitkovics), P. Dardai, S. Torghelle, Z. Gera, S. Huszti

Referee: J. Ver Eecke (Belgium). Asst refs: D. Huens, V. Despiegeleer; 4th official: P. Vervecken

Scorers: A. Schembri 12, 51, S. Torghelle 18,

Yellow cards: K. Sammut,

Red card: V. Vanczak 37