Whenever the national anthem is played out before an international game, Michael Mifsud places his right hand on his heart while his steely look exudes concentration and determination.

The Malta captain is widely expected to repeat that ritual this evening before the World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic but he will be forgiven if emotions get the better of him as this will be no ordinary occasion.

Already the country’s leading scorer with 37 goals, Mifsud will further cement his status as one of our all-time greats today as he is set to earn his 100th cap.

“It’s an honour and a great satisfaction,” Mifsud told Times of Malta.

“Every player wants to reach 100 appearances for the national team but for me it’s a game like the others. I’m thinking about it like I do before every match and I will go out on the pitch to give my 100 per cent as I always do.”

Mifsud made his international debut in a home game against Albania on February 10, 2000.

At the time, he was regarded as a precocious young talent.

The nimble striker has gone on to justify all the hype about his potential not only because of his exploits with a host of overseas clubs, most notably Norway’s Lillestrom and English team Coventry City, but also through his achievements with the national team.

Given that he was only 18 when he made his bow for the national team, Mifsud was always likely to reach the 100-cap milestone but he never imagined that he would come this far.

We are capable of playing good football like all the other teams but sometimes we lack self-belief

“No, I take it one game at a time,” Mifsud replied when asked if he thought about the prospect of playing so many games in a national team shirt.

“I don’t really think about these statistics... I only focus on the next game.”

Like every Maltese player, Mifsud has experienced more lows than highs during his international career but has been one of the main architects of the positive results achieved by the national team in the last decade.

He was instrumental in our 2-1 home victory over Hungary in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and last June, he scored the winner in the historic 1-0 win over Armenia.

“There have been many important periods in my career with the national team, especially every time we gained a good result,” Mifsud said.

“Those are memorable occasions you never forget. Then there are also the individual highlights, beautiful moments you only experience once.

“I remember the games against Hungary (2-1), Turkey (2-2) and our last win over Armenia... so many nice memories.

“There were also games that we lost but the team left the field with heads held high.”

A positive result for Malta today would provide a fitting celebration of Mifsud’s milestone.

As is his wont, Mifsud is approaching the game in a confident mood.

“I have confidence in myself and the team,” he commented.

“We have a good squad. We had fine performances in our last two games despite the fact that we lost. Personally, I believe that we can always get a positive result. I go out to win. The game always starts at 0-0, then it’s up to us to deliver.”

“We are capable of playing good football like all the other teams but sometimes we lack self-belief,” he added.

“If we play with more confidence, I’m sure we will do better.”

Fifth centurion

Mifsud is poised to become only the fifth Maltese player to join FIFA’s century club, following in the footsteps of four other stalwarts of Maltese football.

David Carabott leads the way with 122 appearances followed by Gilbert Agius on 119, Carmel Busuttil 113 and Joe Brincat 103.

“I’m honoured to be joining a small group of such great players,” Mifsud said.

“I have great respect for all four of them. I must say that I’ve learnt a lot from playing with them in my career.”

Asked whether he has an ambition to eclipse Carabott’s record, Mifsud replied: “It’s difficult for me because of where I’m playing now (Australia).

“There will be some games I will probably have to miss but as long as I’m fit and healthy I will continue to make myself available for the national team.”

Now 32, Mifsud has taken up a new challenge in his club career after joining A-League club Melbourne Heart last month.

Having settled in nicely at his new club, Mifsud can’t wait to make his debut.

“I’ve been warmly received by my team-mates,” Mifsud said of his early days Down Under.

“I feel like I’ve been there for years. I’m happy and looking forward to playing my first competitive game for Melbourne Heart.

“Unfortunately, due to my presence here, I’m going to miss the first two games. It’s a new adventure, in a far country, but as I said I’m very much looking forward to it.”

With the 2013/14 Australian A-League kicking off today, Mifsud is coming from three weeks of pre-season training under John Aloisi, the Melbourne Heart coach.

“Physically, I’m in good shape,” Mifsud said.

“There’s lot of monitoring as the set-up at Melbourne Heart is very professional. We do a lot of tests and the training is very intense.”

The challenge of earning a regular place in a new team is one that doesn’t faze Mifsud.

“It’s a challenge and I’m not taking anything for granted,” he said.

“I will give my 100 per cent to establish myself with Melbourne Heart.”

Finally, Mifsud expressed his gratitude for his family and his personal sponsors, TeamSport, for their constant support.

“I would like to say a big thank you to my wife and my family for their backing,” he said.

“I’m also grateful to TeamSport as they have been behind me, always providing me with the latest football boots.”

Record is hard to beat says coach

Malta coach Pietro Ghedin paid tribute to Michael Mifsud ahead of his 100th appearance for the national team.

Having described the striker as “the history of Maltese football”, Ghedin said Mifsud’s achievements for Malta will be hard to equal.

“Michael is going to reach 100 games for the national team,” Ghedin said.

“Congratulations to him. He’s the top scorer for Malta and certainly a big part of the history of Maltese football.

“It will be difficult to beat his scoring record because to score 37 goals at this level is incredible, almost unthinkable for a country like Malta.

“Very few players have managed to score that amount of goals for their country.”