The results obtained by Maltese teams and athletes in international sport events are normally dismal. We know our limitations, we know that we cannot compete with the bigger countries, and we know that more often than not our representatives, in spite of their efforts, will end up defeated, sometimes heavily too.
So it is always a great joy to witness some form of success achieved by a Maltese team or athlete in international events. We were all proud when William Chetcuti was doing so well in double-trap shooting competitions; we were all happy that the national waterpolo team finished third in the European “B” championships under the guidance of coach Dirk Dowling a few years ago, and we all look forward to winning medals when Malta takes part in the European Small Nations Games every two years.
Good results in football are a rarity, largely because the competition there is much tougher. Yet, lately, we have had a string of positive results and performances by the Maltese national team too. The win against Hungary at the Ta’ Qali stadium, the away draw against Moldova and the recent home draw against Turkey have given Malta the best results ever in any competition, and a big crowd is now expected at Ta’ Qali on 17 October in the hope that Malta can beat Moldova to obtain a record second victory in the same qualifying group and move on the eight-point mark in the table.
On that day, Malta will expect some magic from its most well-known player – Michael Mifsud – whose popularity over the past two days grew immensely after he scored two goals at Old Trafford to lead his team, Coventry City, to a 2-0 win that eliminated mighty Manchester United from the English League Cup.
The result was unexpected, even though Manchester United fielded several players who do not normally start a game for the Red Devils. Still, it was a memorable feat for a small club like Coventry to emerge winners, and all this thanks to their Maltese striker.
Mifsud’s photos were all over the British press yesterday and on all websites that talk about football. Even UEFA’s own website carried a photo of the former Sliema player celebrating one of his goals, placing the story right at the top of its headline news.
Maltese Manchester United supporters may not have been happy with the elimination of their team, but their consolation was that this happened thanks to one of their countrymen. Messages sent to local radio stations yesterday morning by Manchester United fans expressed this line of thinking.
The 26-year-old striker is at the height of his career. He has already played in Germany for Kaiserslautern and in Norway for Lillestrom, before moving to England to join Coventry. His two goals last Wednesday may have grabbed the attention of bigger clubs. Who knows, maybe even Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed.
But Mifsud’s goals go beyond the match and his own career for a small country like Malta. Our country rarely gets attention in the international media, unless of course the United States and Russian leaders are meeting here or the Pope or the French President is visiting.
To have Malta’s name, together with that of Mifsud, splashed all over the international media, particularly in England, is the best advertisement that the country could get. It is that kind of publicity that should make us all proud.
It is also extremely positive for the whole of the nation to be united (no pun intended) behind Michael Mifsud. Divided as we are because of politics, religion and sport, this occasion was one of the few that saw all the Maltese happy that one of us achieved so much.