The Malta national football team deservedly earned the plaudits over the past few days for achieving a respectable 1-1 draw at home to Georgia last week.

Malta’s first point in the qualifying group for Euro 2012 has been a long time coming. In the reverse fixture last year, Malta conceded a last minute goal which was to have a long-lasting demoralising effect which lingered throughout the next few games. Only last May, Malta conceded another stoppage time goal, this time at home to Greece, the winners of Euro 2004.

There are other factors which might have led to these two defeats apart from sheer bad luck. Football is as much dependent on talent and ability as it is on psychology. And this is one aspect which the national team set-up can improve on. Not so much the players, but perhaps the fans.

There are occasions during Malta games where you can hear a pin drop, such is the atmosphere at Ta’ Qali sometimes, being a far cry from the cauldron of passion one finds in other football stadiums.

The national anthem played prior to the start of the game does little to stir the crowd’s emotions, most of whom, as do the players, mumble their way through the lyrics.

Since its foundation three years ago, the South End Core has instilled a sense of pride in supporting the Malta football team, irrespective of result.

The group has introduced a plethora of merchandise which many have bought to liven the mood at Ta’ Qali. But more could be done. Compiling a CD with several catchy songs in praise of Malta’s national team, and how proud we are of being part of it, which could be played on the stadium’s loudspeakers 30 minutes prior to the game’s start, could be one way of going about boosting the atmosphere and add stimulus to the players as they emerge out of the dressing room.

More flags, horns, scarves, balloons and more people on drums and trumpets would further still transform Ta’ Qali into a frenzy, which would also play a part in helping the players hang on to a point during the final few minutes of a game.

These suggestions may sound trivial and childish, but they do leave an impact on players’ psychology. Rather than centred on a couple of billboards here and there, advertising of Malta matches well in advance could also do with being more widespread.

Better organisation of the car parks around the stadium would also boost attendances.

Malta, like many other football teams, would do well to start making that twelfth man really count.

It did so to spectacular effect around this time four years ago, when a buzzing Ta’ Qali helped Malta to a 2-2 draw against old foes Turkey.

Create similar atmospheres, and more positive results will follow.