Malta’s national team is relishing the opportunity to face Luxembourg in a decisive Nations League play-off, with promotion to League C at stake in what is being described as one of the most important matches in the country’s recent football history.
In the build-up to the match, the Malta Football Association organised a training session open to the public at the newly inaugurated National Football Centre, an initiative aimed at generating more interest around the game while strengthening the bond between players and supporters.
The association has also been actively promoting the match over the past two months, underlining the importance of the occasion for Maltese football.
This has been Malta’s fourth participation in the Nations League, and the team now has a fresh opportunity to write a new chapter in the local game after coming close to promotion in previous editions.
Defender Zach Muscat, who has been part of the Malta squad in every Nations League campaign so far, admitted that past disappointments still linger in the back of the players’ minds, but believes those experiences have helped the team grow.
“We did not think about the previous editions, at least not actively. Obviously, it stays a bit in the back of your mind, but we can look at those moments in a good way, seeing them as part of the growing journey that has led us to this moment,” Muscat told the Times of Malta.
Now playing with Portuguese second-tier side Chaves, Muscat is confident Malta can rise to the occasion.
“It is a historic game for us. It will definitely bring the best out of all of us. It is a crucial match because it can bring more exposure to the Maltese game, both at individual and collective level. It’s a game with high stakes that we need to think about, but in a positive way, without putting too much pressure on ourselves.”
Muscat also spoke about the challenge posed by Luxembourg, noting the progress they have made in recent years, particularly with many of their players competing in stronger leagues abroad.
However, he believes Malta has also improved and can build on the encouraging performances shown in the recent World Cup qualifiers.
“Luxembourg have players who play in better leagues than ours, especially in recent years. In our last meeting we won, although it was a friendly. They have improved, but so have we, individually and collectively, and it helped us to have played them before. Like them, we are a small country, but given their influx of imported players, we might grasp the concept of national identity better, and hopefully that can help us give our best.”
Meanwhile, one of the new faces in the Malta squad is Keyon Ewurum, who is at the beginning of his international career after already being capped under Emilio De Leo.
The Valletta product is currently on loan at Torino, where he is featuring in the Primavera championship and has already found the net.
Speaking about his first months in Italian football, Ewurum said he has adapted quickly and believes the experience is helping him grow both as a player and as a person.
Turning his attention to the national team, Ewurum highlighted the hard work being done within the squad and said he is proud to be part of the group as Malta looks to secure promotion.
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