Two quick goals mid-way through the first half paved the way for Norway to register their first win in Group H of the EURO 2016 qualifiers as the beat Malta 3-0.
UK-based duo Joshua King of Blackburn and Mats Møller Daehli of Cardiff did most of the harm with King being a constant menace, scoring two goals and Daehli having a number of shots at goal apart from putting Per-Mathias Høgmo’s side ahead.
As expected, Ghedin made just one change from the team which lost to Croatia as Roderick Briffa replaced the suspended Steve Borg. Hogg started in goal with Zach Muscat, Andrei Agius and Ryan Camilleri, Roderick Briffa and Clayton Failla on the flanks, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat and Ryan Fenech in midfield with Andre Schembri supporting Michael Mifsud in attack.
The visitors threatened the Maltese rear-guard on the 3rd minute with Mats Møller Daehli testing Andrew Hogg with a shot from the left which was neutralised by the Maltese custodian. Malta replied with a cross from the right by Schembri for Failla who however hit well over the bar.
Norway forged ahead on 22 minutes. Joshua King released Mats Møller Daehli on the left and the latter slotted the ball past Hogg.
Three minutes later, Malta lost the ball in midfield and Joshua King First sped past Andrei Agius and then rounded Zach Muscat before hitting past the Malta goalkeeper.
Malta’s reaction consisted of a rising shot by Michael Mifsud on 41 minutes which was saved in two attempts by Nyland.
Four minutes in the second half, Norway scored the third goal. Joshua King was the scorer With a fine header off a cross from the right by Skjelbred.
Tarik Elyounoussi Could have added another two minutes later but his diagonal shot was deflected by Hogg.
Andrew Hogg then managed to block a good run inside the area by King on the 58th and five minutes later, performed another good save on Daehli.
Deep into added time, Norway could have added another through Nielsen but Andrei Agius anticipated him, clearing the ball into a corner.
MALTA Andrew Hogg, Zach Muscat, Paul Fenech, Andrei Agius, Ryan Fenech (71′ Bjorn Kristensen), Clayton Failla, Roderick Briffa (71′ Justin Grioli), Michael Mifsud, Rowen Muscat, Andre Schembri (85′ Terence Vella), Ryan Camilleri.
NORWAY Ørjan Håskjold Nyland, Alexander Tettey (77′ Harmeet Singh), Håvard Nordtveit, Joshua King (75′ Håvard Nielsen), Stefan Johansen, Tarik Elyounoussi, Omar Elabdellaoui, Per Ciljan Skjelbred (62′ Jone Samuelsen), Martin Linnes, Mats Møller Daehli, Vegard Forren.
Referee: Antony Gautier (FRA)
Assistant Referees: Michael Annonier, Philippe Jeanne (FRA)
Additional Assistant Referees: Benoit Bastien, Sebastien Desiage (FRA)
Fourth Official: Eric Danizan (FRA)
Attendance: 8,076