Malta raises interest in Blacktown City's Mallia

Mitch Mallia has played for Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners, but it's with his current club Blacktown City that his name is being mentioned in international circles.

At 25 years of age Mitch Mallia has already played for two A-league clubs.  

He's now in a rich vein of form for Blacktown City. His grandfather is Maltese and it's that European heritage that could unlock an international career.

"Playing for the Maltese national team would be a great honour," he told SBS World News.

Mitch Mallia and his parents. His father's Maltese heritage could pave the way for an international debut. Source: Supplied

Blacktown City is on another great run in the FFA Cup for the second year running. 

Last year they went to the last eight only to be stopped by Sydney FC. 

Mallia is well qualified to pass judgement on the relative strengths of the A-league and the second-tier National Premier League, in which Blacktown plays.

He believes promotion of some teams to the A-league, and relegation of others to the NPL, would be as successful as the FFA Cup has proven.

"It would attract more fans to the game and that is what we want in this country."

Mallia was part of the Sydney FC side when Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero was the big star of the A-league.

Now he's got one eye on Europe with a view to representing Malta at international level, and his Blacktown coach Mark Crittenden says the team would throw a party to watch him make his debut if that happens.

"I really hope it happens for him," he said.

(L to R) Mitch Mallia alongside Sydney FC teammates (L to R) Ranko Despotovic and Ivan Necevski at a recovery session at Bondi Beach in 2014. Source: AAP

Blacktown City takes on fellow National Premier League club APIA on August 29, and if it wins, the Demons will have reached the last eight of the FFA Cup for the second year running.