Season 1994-95 - the ups and downs of the national team

Season 1993-94 saw a marked improvement in the standard of the game in Malta and the feelgood factor was maintained the following year.

The 1994-95 campaign was satisfactory in many aspects when compared to previous years, although there were also some upsets.

Interest in the league and FA Trophy remained alive up to the last day as the number of spectators continued to increase, proving that if the fare served is of the required standard, attendances will improve.

Season 1994-95 highlighted the importance of having clubs play week in week out. This not only helped to raise the level of the competition but also instilled a sense of professionalism in our footballers.

This wave of optimism extended to the national team. In 1994-95, Malta played three friendlies and seven competitive matches. Guided by Italian coach Pietro Ghedin, Malta drew four and lost the other six matches.

The best results came in the European Championship as Malta obtained a prestigious 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic and a 1-1 draw away to Belarus.

The national team made a very early start to the season. In the first month of the new campaign, they played three friendly matches.

Malta began with a 0-1 defeat to Armenia and drew 1-1 with Georgia in Tbilisi and 1-1 with Slovakia.

Malta opened its European Championship commitments with a devastating 1-6 defeat to the Czech Republic. A month later, however, Malta gained a creditable 0-0 draw against the same team at the National Stadium. This was definitely one of the best ever matches played by the 'boys in red' in Malta.

In the next home match, Malta lost 0-1 to Norway. Fjortoft scored the winning goal for the Scandinavians after only nine minutes.

The Maltese made a bold reaction but could not get an equaliser.

Bad luck haunted Malta in the home encounter against Luxembourg. The Maltese attacked from the word go but a defensive blunder enabled Cardone to pounce on a loose ball and shoot home.

Malta continued to attack and were even awarded a penalty. Carmel Busuttil, however, missed the chance to level the scores when he hit the upright from the spot.

On March 29, Malta lost 4-0 to Holland but in their next match they figured in a positive 1-1 draw in Belarus.

Finally, Malta wound up a hectic season with a 2-0 defeat in Oslo against Norway. This game brought to an end Ghedin's contract but the Italian agreed to stay on as Malta coach for another season.