Mitch Mallia - who many will remember from his spells with Sydney FC and Perth Glory in the A-League - has been a perrennial NPL force between drinks. 

In 78 appearances for Blacktown City, interrupted by a year with Kenny Lowe's Glory, Mallia has scored a whopping 28 goals. 

The former Central Coast Mariners youth is one of many who excels at NPL level, yet is regarded as a step below the A-League.

However, a call-up to the Maltese national side for friendlies against Luxembourg and Finland is vindication for his efforts.

In the Maltese squad, he'll link up with record-goalscorer and former Melbourne Heart forward Michael Mifsud - another former A-League player with mixed success in Australia, who went on to a highly successful career for the national side.

Former Mariner John Hutchinson and Manny Muscat have also made international appearances for Malta.