Slovenia 2
Malta 0
Slovenia: J. Oblak, N. Skubic M. (Palcic), A. Delamea, R. Krhin, J. Ilicic, J. Kurtic, R. Beric (M. Novakovic), B. Jokic, R. Bezjak (N. Omladic), M. Mevlja, B. Verbic.
Malta: A.Hogg, A. Muscat, Z. Muscat, A. Agius, S. Borg (S. Magri), C. Failla; R. Fenech, S. Pisani, B. Kristensen; A. Schembri (M. Mifsud), A. Effiong.
Referee: Lee Evans (Wales).
Asst refs: P. Thomas, D. Beckett (Wales).
4th official: IA Griffith (Wales.
Scorers: J. Ilicic 45, Novakovic 84,
Yellow cards: S. Pisani, A. Effiong, C. Failla, R. Fenech, Novakovic
Slovenia moved temporarily into second place in Group F yesterday after defeating a gallant Malta side 2-0 yesterday in Ljubljana.
The three points kept them just three points adrift of group leaders England, held to a 2-2 draw by Scotland yesterday.
It was Malta’s sixth consecutive defeat in this qualifying group as hopes of winning a first point were dashed by the goals scored by Ilicic in first half added time and a second by Noakovic six minutes from the end.
Both teams had some players missing through suspension, among them Malta’s Jean Paul Farrugia and Slovenia’s Walter Birsa who plays for ChievoVerona in Italy.
As was expected Slovenia quickly took the initiative and penned Malta in their own half for most of the time in the first half.
They dominated, mostly thanks to the ever present Josip Ilicic of Italian club Fiorentina, but Malta was a well organised side with the defence never collapsing under the home side’s pressure until added time when the Slovenians struck to take the lead.
That proved to be a demoralising moment for the Malta side to suffer a goal at that juncture after having contained their superior opponents quite comfortably and confidently.
Malta was given little space where to manoeuvre, but on one occasion, Alex Muscat also had a good scoring chance, with a Slovenian defender clearing in extremis.
In the second half, there was no change in tactics, even if Malta were slightly more advanturous as they moved upfield more frequently.
But Slovenia were still very much in command and only on one other occasion, our players - through Effiong - threatened the opposing goalie Oblak.
The Slovenians assured themselves of the important three points with a second goal six minutes from the end.
The match had a quiet start with Slovenia dominating possession, but rarely proving themselves dangerous in front of goal.
The first shot went Malta’s way with Clayton Failla firing well wide of the Slovenian posts from around 30 metres. At the other end, a dangerous low Verbic cross was intercepted confidently by the diving Andrew Hogg.
On 17 minutes, Hogg again dived to save an Ilicic freekick.
Four minutes later, Malta had a good chance to score when Alex Muscat was through in the area, but a timely tackle avoided an awkward situation for Slovenia goalie Oblak.
At the other end, it was Failla who cleared to corner a dangerous Verbic cross.
Slovenia went close on the 28th minute when Beric’s header went just over the bar. At the other end, an Effiong cross to Andre Schembri saw goalie Oblak anticipating the Malta striker.
In the 34th minute, Slovenia should have taken the lead, but fortunately for Malta, Verbic hit the ball wide with only Hogg to beat after advancing unhindered in the Malta area.
Malta appeared to have been lucky not to concede a penalty when Effiong seemed to have floored Delamea-Mlinar in the area, but the Welsh official ignored the Slovenian protests for a penalty.
In the 44th minute, Hogg was called into action, denying Verbic from a close-in header.
In added time, Slovenia took the lead. It was Ilicic who received the ball on the left, entered the Malta area and scored with a superb curling effort that beat Hogg all ends up.
On 51 minutes, Effiong was involved in an amazing run from midfield. He bypassed two defenders and advanced towards goal, but goalie Oblak rushed out of his charge to clear the ball on the edge of the area and therefore deny the Reds a good chance to level matters.
On 57 minutes, with goalie Oblak out of position, Ryan Fenech tried his luck from the distance, but the ball went wide.
On the 68th minute, Verbic was allowed some space on the edge of the area, but his shot was excellently turned to corner by the diving Hogg. From the resultant cornerkick, Krhin had a header going inches wide.
Omladic then had an effort hitting the side rigging.
As Slovenia continued to press, in the 74th minute, it was again Hogg who miraculously saved the Malta fort off substitute Novakovic.
Slovenia sealed their win in the 84th minute with a second goal. It was Ilicic who set Novakovic who planted the ball past a helpless Hogg and into the net from close in.
In added time, Ilicic was denied another goal by Hogg who turned to corner.