The enthusiam generated by the excellent performance which led to a memorable 2-1 win against Hungary last Wednesday was only justified. The joy which we all shared at the final whistle of the referee at Ta’ Qali was something which we rarely can express, obviously because of our limitations. The only pity was that there were only about 5,000 to share that great joy.
But the fact that we have now managed to beat a team roughly two steps of the ladder above us, is a sort of achievement which makes one look forward with great optimism.
I had also been present at the Gzira Stadium when Malta beat Greece 2-0 in another memorable match which I still consider as Robbie Gatt’s match. It was our goalkeeper, now the Hibernians FC coach, who kept his net intact with some excellent saves bordering on the miraculous, but credit is also due to the late Richard Aquilina, brother of Sliema coach Edward, and Vince ‘Maxi’ Magro, who scored the two goals on the day.
On that occasion we all cried with great joy at the end of the match. That was our first ever competitive victory in such competitions. We hugged each other and celebrated together. I still have fixed memories of Italian coach Terenzio Polverini being shoulder-lifted by the players to the dressing room.
In June 1982 came the victory over Iceland. Unfortunately, I was not present for that match as it was played in the neutral ground of Messina - the Gzira Stadium had been banned by UEFA after some incidents during a previous match against Turkey. Still, we were also overjoyed to hear that Victor Scerri’s side had managed a 2-1 win with Ernest Spiteri Gonzi and Leli Fabri being our scorers.
Another moment of glory was registered in Tallinn in May of 1993. Then a Kris Laferla goal enabled Pippo Psaila’s side to beat Estonia to obtain Malta’s first ever - and still only - away victory in such competitions.
These were all glorious days in Maltese football history, but Wednesday’s match is bigger in stature because of the fact that Hungary have always been considered well above our levels even if their football seems to be on the decline at present.
In fact, no one will deny the fact that Greece were just an ordinary side with one or perhaps two top players when they came here in 1975, while Iceland and Estonia have always been considered among the minnows of European football. It was only in recent years that Greece and Iceland managed to make great inroads with Greece also winning the last European Championship.
Credit must be given to all the players in Dusan Fitzel’s squad. They have all worked hard for this success. Yes, even those who were not selected either through injury or for some other reason. The fact that there are 33 players in the squad makes it somewhat difficult for the coach to make his selection, but at the end, it will be the final 18 who make it to the pitch. In fact, it is obvious that there has been an improvement at national squad level with all the players doing their best to convince Fitzel that they deserve to be selected. Today, every player in the squad has to ‘battle’ with his other team mates to earn his place among the 18.
This result means a lot to Maltese football, especially those youngsters who all yearn to play for Malta some day in future. It is a big boost for the game in Malta and especially for the players, especially those in the Premier Division.
Their counterparts, who are in the national squad, have now shown that they can play football as it should be played, even if we are still not full time professionals. If only we can have the same level of play regularly in our Premier Division, then I am sure that our football will become more pleasant to watch and that will induce more people to attend local matches to create that atmosphere which is normally generated on days such as those of last Wednesday.
How nice it was the see the crowd standing up at the final whistle to give that great ovation to the players and the coach. They richly deserved it. And that made my night even more enjoyable and emotional.
The 2-1 win was not a fluke certainly. It had been brewing up since last year when the team, still under Germany’s Horst Heese, obtained two creditable draws against Croatia and Bulgaria. Last Wednesday we went one better.
And it was not only the victory that pleased us all. The performance must rank as the best ever at home. At least that is how I must describe it after having watched the side in action for so many times.
Considering our limitations and levels, I must say that Malta played some brilliant football last Wednesday. It was a real pity that Michael Mifsud - my man of the match - failed to get the ball into the Hungarian net, at least once. He was certainly unlucky. He alone had three clearcut chances. On another occasion he was pulled down with the Hungarian defender being expelled. We also had a Kevin Sammut shot hitting the upright and then, near the end, substitute Terence Scerri incredibly hit wide with an untenanted goal at his mercy. And this was not enough. One must mention the clean handling (after a shaky start) by Justin Haber, and the excellent performance of Brian Said and Luke Dimech at the back - both of them never missed a ball.
It was in midfield that Malta suffered, but only in the opening minutes. When Gilbert Agius and Jamie Pace settled down, we started sharing the exchanges and it was no surprise that George Mallia came up with those perfect passes to Mifsud which created havoc in the Hungarian rearguard.
The coach, Dusan Fitzel, seems to be doing his job well. The MFA, through the insistence of president Dr Joseph Mifsud, is maintaining its support to the national team. Such results will certainly bring back the crowds to the Stadium and re-generate the enthusiasm which local football used to enjoy till the 1970s.
The forthcoming two internationals against Lithuania (next month) and Austria (in February) should go a long way towards helping Fitzel establishing a sound basis upon which to continue working at national team level.
Let us all look forward with optimism.
Henry Brincat
Sports Editor
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