MALTA                 1
NORWAY             2

Malta: H. Bonello, S. Borg (F. Apap 74’), A. Agius, J. Mbong, P. Fenech, M. Mifsud, K. Nwoko, R. Muscat (N. Muscat 70’), D. Vella (A. Effiong 61’), J. Zerafa, Z. Muscat

Norway: O. Nylan, K. Ajer, T. Reginiussen, J. King (F. Ulvestad 89’), I. Fossum, A. Sorloth, S. Berge, J. Svensson (T. Elyounoussi 65’), B. Meling, M. Henriksen, M. Daehli (O. Elabdellaoui 46’)

Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)

Ass. Referee: Zeynal Zeynalov, Akif Amirali

Fourth Official: Rauf Jabarov (Azerbaijan)

Scorers: J. King 6’, P. Fenech 40’, A. Sorloth 62’,

Yellow cards: S. Borg 55’, Z. Muscat 66’,

Malta lost its last match in the European qualifiers going down fighting against Norway. After the debacle against Spain Farrugia wanted a different Malta and in long stretches of the match the boys in red were surely a transformed lot.

However the Norwegians found their way past the Malta defence, especially on the left flank, with relative ease and this was mainly our downfall yesterday, with both goals and the penalty action coming from identical moves.

The Norwegians surely deserved their victory, even missing a penalty, with Bonello, arguably the best player on the field of play, making a great save. The Maltese gave their all but in the end they had to leave the field of play again empty handed.

Looking back on the whole group experience in these qualifiers, one can easily say that the biggest disappointment remains the opaque and negative performance in Torshavn against the Faroe Islands where we missed a golden opportunity to avoid the last placing in the group.

As anticipated coach Ray Farrugia made four changes from the side that played against Spain in Cadiz four days ago. Steve Borg was back in defence after serving a one-match ban against Spain, and in attack veteran striker Michael Mifsud was included in the first eleven. The other two newcomers to the side were Valletta defender Joseph Zerafa and Balzan midfielder Paul Fenech.

The start could’nt have been worse for the locals as Norway took the lead after only six minutes in their first real attack. A gaping hole in the left flank of the Malta defence with Daehli passing towards King who had the better of Bonello from less than two meters.

This goal did matters worse for the Maltese as Norway completely dominated the first part of the match with frequent moves, practically always on the left flank of the Maltese rearguard where the Norwegians had a field day.

Half way through the first half the Maltese started to come to grips with their opponents, pressing high and venturing forward, but on 27 minutes the Malta defence was caught on the wrong foot but Joshua King’s shot slightly missed the base of the upright. On the half hour Nwoko powered his way on the left flank with his low shot hitting the side netting.

On 40 minutes Malta drew level with a well taken goal. Michael Mifsud’s inch-perfect cross was met by Paul Fenech who first-timed home from close range.

On the resumption Norway pushed forward but the Maltese were now a different lot, playing good possession football and creating some good opportunities in fast breaks. But against the run of play Norway regained the lead with Berge again easing his on our left flank and crossing towards Sorloth who easily slotted home from close range.

Four minutes later a similar action with the ball towards Sorloth who was fouled by Zach Muscat on the point of shooting, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. But from eleven meters Joshua King’s low drive was brilliantly saved by Bonello who kept the Malta side in the game.  

However the Maltese lost some of their flair and Ray Farrugia was forced to make the third change with Steve Borg limping off and Ferdinando Apap taking his place. Malta tried in vain to get the equaliser only going close with an Andrei Agius header.