What do you intend doing on the 8th of September? Go to Ta’ Qali of course! Who would stay home and support the Italian or English team when our own National Team needs now, more then ever, the best support it can get?
Are we so foolish as to know other countries’ national anthems by heart and not know our own beloved national anthem? Some people do not even know there is a pause in the middle of the anthem.... no it’s not finished there is more to it – do not clap in the middle of your national anthem
Back in January it was a shame to see Maltese supporters fervently cheering on the Milan team, geared up like the “ultras” abroad as if they were Italian themselves. I just hope that, for once, these same supporters will not abandon their country for someone else’s cause and heed our call to unite and give an extra push to our players all the way for those 90 minutes.
On Victory Day, Malta is playing one of the giants in European football; Turkey - 3rd in the 2002 World Cup and currently ranked 24th in the FIFA list. With our last outing on home soil being against the current Euro champions, everyone saw a much spirited and gallant effort from the Maltese players. We lost out through a doubtful penalty conceded against a very experienced side who found it impossible to score against our very organised, though modest, team.
Yes we’re improving - football-wise we seem to be making that much needed extra effort – playing for our country with a lot of energy and belief in ourselves. But now the support has to augment the effort put in by the players themselves.
To this effect, the recently joined supporters group being called the “South End Core!” is the driving force behind an organised support with a different attitude. They are seeking to create an atmosphere never seen at Ta’ Qali, with organised choreography, new choruses, drums and a never say die attitude!
On Victory Day let’s unite ourselves like old times’ sake and win again both on the field and on the stands with the constant cheering!
Forza Malta!
Mark Muscat
St Julian’s