Watch: Facing Italy and England will generate more interest in national team says Malta FA head

Malta FA president Bjorn Vassallo admitted that the national team were handed a very tough draw in the Euro 2024 qualifiers when they were pitted against European champions Italy and England in the qualifying draw held on Sunday.

However, the MFA supremo said that the opportunity to play against two countries that are not only among the best teams in the world but more importantly boast so much popularity in Malta will excite the Maltese fans and increase their interest in the national team.

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Malta were drawn in Group C alongside Italy, England, Ukraine and North Macedonia, with the first matches scheduled for March 23-24, 2023.

“This is without doubt an historical draw for the Maltese national team,” Vassallo said in his first comments to the Malta Football Association website.

“The fact that our national team has been drawn to face Italy and England, two teams who enjoy a high pedigree in international football, inevitably provides us with a very tough draw from a sporting aspect.

“However, if you look at the level of interest this draw will generate in the Maltese public, it is surely a draw that motivates our fans to look forward to the next few months where they will have the opportunity to see top-level opposition.

“In fact, we will have the chance to watch two of the best teams in the world coming to play at the National Stadium, and at the same time our national team will travel to play in some of the most prestigious football stadiums in the world.

“I have no doubt that this qualifying campaign will help the Maltese national team to continue to build on all the good work done in recent years, and provide our players with the necessary experience so that we will be better prepared for our future commitments.”