The rise of the Maltese National Team and the progress in Maltese clubs

 Finally, after more than 10 years, the Maltese national team are on the rise. With a 5 game unbeaten streak , there is happiness on the face of the Maltese nation where their success being mentioned worldwide. The introduction of Devis Mangia, former   headcoach of the U21 italian national team, was seen as one of the best managerial appointments made by the malta football association since John Buttigieg. 

Mangia's approach to games was seen as a key factor that changed his players philosophy drastically. In recent years, Malta's philosophy was avoid a humiliating defeat, sit deep and break on the counter. This manager's attacking minded tactics have changed the whole dynamic of their game, the players are not scared anymore to attack the opposition's box. 

The introduction of new players being called to the national side have made a huge difference to the team. In recent years, former Maltese national team head coach Ray Farrugia, never intended to call up new players to the side that could have had an impact on the pitch, which is why there was no success under his management at that time. 

The involvement of new players, such as Teddy Theuma, Matthew Gulliamier, Kurt Shaw and Luke Gambin have left an undoubtedly huge effect on the players such as an increase in confidence and determination in their mind-sets. Finally, there is now a sense of things coming together elsewhere on the pitch too. The compactness in the defense, the passion and determination in midfield, and the fire power in the attack was a recipe that has been missing in years.

Inspired from the Maltese National Team, last week, I visited Ghaxaq training grounds, where I watched and analysed every part of their training session. With my first point of view, I saw the hunger on the players faces to turn things around immediately after some poor performances lately in the BOV Challenge League. Determination is the key for success but also togetherness is another strength that must be implied.

Asked about their recent performances in the league, Ghaxaq's headcoach Mario Mifsud response was that the team is capable of turning things around and the most important is mental strength. When conceding, the ability to regain focus and try to get a result is a main factor for success.

Also asked about the Maltese National Team success, Mifsud said ''The national team has made a lot of progress-especially in these last 2 years, there was a change in mentality, now we are more offensive because in recent years we used to sit deep and defend a lot- now we try to contribute to the game and whatever happens is a risk, but at least we are seeing some character from the players.'

Ghaxaq football club are currently sitting in the bottom of the 3rd division table, where previous results have been a huge disappointment for the club. I thought it would be a good idea to make a visit at another local club but playing in Malta's top division. I was given permission from Tarxien Rainbows football club to watch and observe their training closely , and identify the strengths and weaknesses during their training session.

Tarxien are another club fighting to stay in the top division. All the players are united and ready to turn things around. The players are pleased with the way that their head coach Winston Muscat is approaching every game and want his players to give their best in every match.

Muscat's approach to any particular game is quite interesting. He analyses his opponent 2-3 games before playing against them, look's for the style of play that they normally play with and identify their strengths and weaknesses to see from where he can penetrate them from. Muscat separates the training session in two parts, first he works on the system and style that they are approaching in the game, again they go through their opponents and explain the game situation knowing their style of play, as mentioned before.

Also asked about the progress of the national team, Tarxien Rainbows Winston Muscat '' In my opinion ,our local league is changing due to an increase in foreigners but there is no continuation in every team as there are a lot of changes happening all the time.''

'' In the national team we have to wait because the last results were with teams of inferior rankings, our test can be measured in the coming qualifiers, I expect an improvement knowing how much the MFA is investing and spending a lot of money but improvement was made since Ray Farrugia was replaced''