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sport
today
After
Malta's Danish debacle
Major overhaul needed to kill off
amateurish mentality
Malta
recently held European giants, Czech Republic, to a goaless draw
at Ta'Qali. However, the 3-0 defeats against modest sides such as
Bulgaria and Albania were bitter pills to swallow and left many
of us reminiscing over the Czech match. Losing 3-0 against Sweden
and 5-0 against Denmark, both at home, have placed the national
side back in the dark ages. RAY ABDILLA speaks about the realities
of the national team, and how the Danish journalist made a mockery
of us.
Not so long ago Malta drew 0-0 with the Czech Republic at Ta'Qali.
We were overjoyed and it was a night to remember for local football
enthusiasts. After more than five years, the Malta National team
had restored its pride by gaining a prestigious draw against the
Czech Republic, undoubtedly a superior outfit, hands down.
Although we all knew deep down inside that it was thanks to Hibernians
goalkeeper Mario Muscat that we did not lose three or four nil,
at least we got a point, something that not even the Irish in Belfast
failed to do last week.
But then we went to Albania, not as strong as the Czechs and got
routed 3-0. They even had a man sent-off with the score still 0-0,
but we were nevertheless an under par side.
Again it was a superb match for goalkeeper Muscat, who outclassed
the others. His point blank saves kept the Albanians at bay. Rightly
so, the local media did not criticise the players but instead pointed
their comments at the Malta Football Association who arranged a
friendly that made no sense.
Unfortunately, it happened again this month when we played at Ta'Qali
against Sweden - only to lose 3-0. With the league in mind, which
is very important, our players had their minds on other things.
Perhaps the game was more important for the Malta Football Association's
coffers than our pride. It is nice to bring in money out of a friendly
match - through television rights - but what good does this do if
there is no local interest over the whole idea.
The Maltese team lacks ideas and hardly any plans, and lacks midfield
creativity. This happened again yesterday week.
So what's wrong with the national team? I say we have become more
amateurish than we were 30 years ago. The fact that a couple days
before the match half the squad can't get a day off for training
is appalling.
What happened is that, from a professional scheme the MFA has adopted
a part-time system which is making us the laughing stock of the
football world.
Remember the 12-1 defeat against Spain more than 20 years ago? That
was surely the lowest episode of local football. But today I can
tell you we're not far off. In those times it was not just Malta
who used to get a walloping at every international. Nations such
as Finland, Albania, Luxembourg and Cyprus used to suffer the same
fate. I remember quite vividly how the English media used to preview
a Turkey Vs England match with the heading; "England ready
to roast Turkey again." Surely this doesn't happen any more.
Even nations such as Andorra and the Faroe Islands are faring better
than us. So let us cut short all the talk about Malta being a small
country. Andorra, with 67,000, has a fifth of Malta's population
and Dutch coach Louis van Gaal was impressed by their battling display
and, despite a 5-0 beating, the Dutch coach praised the minnows
for their discipline.
Faroe Islands, with a population of less than 50,000, managed to
beat Luxembourg 2-0 away from home. Meanwhile, I still believe that
Josif Ilic should take full responsibility for this debacle. During
his reign we managed to get some good, or fair, results but it is
time now for a change. The Kosanovic Mr Six tag is not far away
and so we have to act quickly.
But it is not only Ilic's fault. The MFA must assume its responsibilities.
It should start helping the national team more and, if necessary,
reflect for a while on other ideas that, although good as they might
be are not as important as our pride. Yes, a stand might be good
for Ta'Qali stadium. Yes, money from TV rights is good for local
football but that is not solving the problem. This is not bringing
back the thousands at the turnstiles. Paying Lm35 in appearance
money to the national players for a match against Bayern Munich
is little more than a farce.
Yes, I believe everyone should love the Maltese jersey because playing
for your country is something that anyone should be proud of. But
paying them Lm35 is like giving a boy a cent to buy a bar of chocolate.
Meanwhile, I was inundated by calls from Danish fellow journalist
prior to the match against Denmark.
They were baffled about how Malta is the only country that does
not issue the squad (not the line-up) during the week. Local and
foreign journalists had to literally run after Ilic and co. at 10pm
and even later on a Wednesday to get some information.
The Danes were even asking questions such as why is Malta the only
nation that doesn't hold a press conference on the eve of the match.
Practically all nations issue their squad on a Wednesday and co-operate
fully with journalists.
On a positive note, the Under 21 Malta side under the guidance of
Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, drew 0-0 with Denmark at the Hibs ground. Yes,
again the young ones did us proud.
Players such as Michael Mifsud, Michael Galea, Antoine Zahra, Claude
Mattocks, Adrian Mifsud etc. should have gained some valuable experience.
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