A solitary goal scored early in the second half was enough for Slovenia to beat Malta in a match valid for the qualifying round of the 2018 World Cup. It was the fourth successive defeat for the boys in red after losses to Scotland, England and Lithuania.
Slovenia were the better team in the opening stages with Ilicic shooting wide after a Camilleri wrong pass, while goalkeeper Hogg was perfect on three successive chances to keep the Slovenians at bay.
Little by little, Malta picked up some courage and after Gambin shot wide on a Schembri cross, the same Schembri missed a sitter when he shot high on an Oblak save off a Gambin shot.
But within one minute after the break, Slovenia scored what was to be the winner when Verbic back-heeled home past a helpless Hogg.
The match offered little from then onwards, with the Slovenians happy to control the situation while the Maltese side was unable to test Oblak again.
Photos Domenic Aquilina