With Malta’s opening 2018 World Cup Group F match against Scotland (Sept. 4) less than three months away, the Malta FA yesterday launched the Goal Card for the upcoming competition.
This is the third time in the last five years the MFA has embarked on a scheme that offers fans the chance to acquire an all-in-one ticket for Malta’s five home dates, including the much-awaited en-counter with England on September 1, 2017, at a reduced price.
“The aim is to give an incentive to those fans who follow the national team,” Bjorn Vassallo, the MFA general secretary told a news conference yesterday.
“In our country, we have different types of fans. There are the fervent ones, who only follow their clubs, those who are more interested in the national team and others who follow both.”
The presence of Euro heavyweights Italy in our 2014 World Cup qualifying group had spurred the MFA to introduce the Goal Card.
The concept was retained for Euro 2016 qualifiers, which again pitted Malta against the Azzurri and, with England drawn in the same group as Malta for the first time in many decades, the MFA are hopeful that this will lead to a significant increase in Goal Card sales between June 10 and July 17.
“Judging by the teams in Malta’s pool (England, Scotland, Slovenia, Slovakia and Lithuania), we can expect a fierce race as only the top-placed side is guaranteed a spot in the finals,” Vassallo said.
“Obviously, for us the two most important games are those against England, away in October, and the home match next year.”
The Wembley qualifier on October 8 has triggered a significant demand for tickets both from local fans planning to travel to London for the match as well as Maltese nationals residing in the UK.
“This event will also mark an important occasion as we will be renewing our strong association with the English FA with the presentation of the new FA Trophy before kick-off,” Vassallo added.
While the qualifiers against England will capture the attention of fans, Vassallo said the national team needs backing in all games.
He also commented on the nine-day training camp and two friendlies Malta had in Austria.
Describing the experience as positive, Vassallo said Malta met two teams, the Czech Republic (0-6) and Austria (1-2), whose motivation was different from that of ours as both are preparing for the Euro 2016 finals.
Norman Saliba, the MFA marketing manager, said the Goal Card for Malta’s 2018 World Cup home games is also intended to strengthen the association’s fan loyalty programme.
Previous Goal Card holders will benefit from an additional 10 per cent discount, bringing their total savings to €70, while children under the age of 12 will get a free entrance to the South Stand for all the qualifiers bar the home game against England, provided they are accompanied by an adult in possession of a Goal Card.
Goal Card prices have been set at €100 for West C Stand, €65 for the Millennium Stand and €40 for the South Stand.
Applications for the Goal Card can be made online by logging on to www.mfa.com.mt or by calling at the MFA offices on the second floor of the National Stadium’s Millennium Stand, Ta’ Qali.