It was another day to remember for tiny Malta in the football field yesterday. Ta' Qali was the venue of another magnificent performance by Dusan Fitzel's boys who responded magnificently to the great support provided from the terraces by more than 12,000 ecstatic fans.

It was another memorable night for Maltese football and the players richly deserved the great applause from all those at the Stadium at the end of the match, and that included Education Minister Dr Louis Galea, who is also responsible for Sport.

Thanks boys, you have made us proud once again, not only because of the creditable 2-2 draw with the mighty Turks, but also because you - and your second father, national coach Dusan Fitzel - have been able to write a brilliant new chapter in Malta's football history.

In fact, it is the first time that we have managed to obtain five points and there are still more matches to come where we can increase our tally. It is a great feat by these boys who have gone through several sacrifices to produce such a magnificent performance. Not only did they get another positive result, but their performance yesterday will certainly go a long way towards Maltese football obtaining more respect in European football circles.

This result - and the five points obtained so far – is the fruit of the MFA's continued hard work in the national team sector, starting from the juniors up to the top levels. Even if the results are still not convincing in the juniors' sector, however, it is evident – no doubt about it – that the national team has made a lot of progress.

And it is here that I must commend our national coach, Dusan Fitzel from the Czech Republic. His tactics and systems have proved to be successful and the way he was carried shoulder-high by the players at the end of last night's match, confirmed that the players not only respect him – they just love him as a second father.

May we have more days like those of yesterday. I am sure next time the Stadium will be full to capacity. Fitzel and his boys have managed to restore confidence in our football. I just hope the same is done at club level.

Henry Brincat

Sports Editor

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