It is going to be a very hectic week for the Senior and Under 21 national teams this week as they play two Euro qualifiers each – the first on Friday and the second next Tuesday.

The Senior team will be playing in Latvia next Friday and in Malta against Israel on Tuesday while the Under 21s will be playing two home matches - both at the Gozo stadium – on Friday against Ukraine and on Tuesday against Lithuania.

The matches for the senior team are the last two qualifiers in the Euro 2012 qualifying round while those of the Under 21 are in connection with the Euro 2013 Championship.

Addressing a news conference yesterday, MFA CEO Bjorn Vassallo said he was convinced that the MFA’s educational campaign, especially among schoolchildren will bear the desired fruit. “The national team should be the pride of every football enthusiast. It should be followed with passion and enthusiasm by one and all,” he said.

He added that this will come along only if the players give their contribution. “I have no doubt that our players will be up to the task. We are no longer suffering humiliating defeats. However, we are aware that we have collected only one point so far. With some great support, we believe we can achieve a lot more. The fans can motivate our players as well if they can give them the right backing,” he stated.

Vassallo reiterated that nowadays the national team has become more attractive to watch than it used to be in the not so distant past. “We have given the players the facilities. It is now up to them to do their job on the field of play. It is obvious that they have shown a lot of improvement. Not only have we been scoring somewhat consistently in our latest matches, but we see our players tactically disciplined and obtain good results, even if these are narrow defeats. Our players have now earned the respect of each and every opponent who plays in Malta,” he added.

Vassallo revealed that an Italian coach will soon start coming to Malta once a month. Together with the Head of Youth Development Carmel Busuttil, he will work on a three-year programme with our youths who will be educated not only in the game, but in every other aspect, which will include doing their homework after school at Ta’ Qali.

He also said that the new ticketing system is now working well and seems to have been accepted, not only by the MFA, but also by the clubs and by UEFA as well. “Not only, but we are seeing attendances increasing in the lower divisions simply because we have changed the kick-off times of matches from mornings to afternoons. Last weekend, over 1,000 paid their way into the venues where the second division matches were played while just under 500 paid their way to watch the third division matches. Until last season, morning matches did not attract much more than a score of persons,” he claimed.

Vassallo finally revealed that although there is no friendly match scheduled for next month, Malta will be playing a friendly international in February which has already been confirmed.

Norman Saliba, Head of Marketing at the MFA, said tickets for Tuesday’s match against Israel are available from several outlets. These are the MFA Offices at The Millennium Stand, Ta’ Qali national stadium, Eros Stationery in Paceville, Lion King Stationery in Pieta, Star Tourism in Bugibba, Teamsport at l-Iklin as well as all Agenda Bookshops, Bookends, Exotique, Newskiosk and 8’il Late outlets around Malta and Gozo.

On matchday, tickets for the South Stand will be on sale at the booths at the West Side.

For adults, West Stand tickets cost €15, Millennium Stand €6, South Stand €3 and children’s tickets will cost €1 (everywhere).

Saliba also said that a bus service is being provided by ARRIVA. There will be two buses leaving Valletta Terminus (next to Bay No. 15) at 4.45pm and 5.30pm. From Ta’ Qali the buses will leave at the end of the match at 9pm and 9.15pm.

Provisional squads

Seniors

Goalkeepers: Reuben Gauci, Justin Haber, Andrew Hogg.

Defenders: Roderick Briffa, Edward Herrera, Carlo Mamo, Jonathan Caruana, Clayton Failla, Andrei Agius, Steve Borg, Joseph Zerafa, Kenneth Scicluna.

Midfielders: Paul Fenech, John Hutchinson, Jamie Pace, Ryan Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Trevor Cilia, John Mintoff, Andrew Cohen.

Strikers: Christian Caruana, Ivan Woods, Andre Schembri, Michael Mifsud, Daniel Bogdanovic.

Under 21

Goalkeepers: Daniel Balzan, Adrian Paris, Steve Sultana.

Defenders: Owen Bugeja, Yessous Camilleri, Cleaven Cassar, Kane Paul Farrugia, Matthew Robert Gauci, Luca Martinelli, Zach Muscat, Jonathan Xerri.

Midfielders: Clyde Borg, Triston Caruana, Sheldon Grech, Dylan Grima, Bjorn Kristensen, Rowen Muscat.

Strikers: Miguel Ciantar, Leighton Grech, Lydon Micallef, Steve Pisani, Terence Vella.