Norway too strong for Malta in Euro 2016 qualifier

Norway's Joshua King scores two in easy 3-0 victory against Malta in Euro 2016 qualifier

Norway's Joshua King scored a brace in Norway's comfortable victory against Malta (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
Norway's Joshua King scored a brace in Norway's comfortable victory against Malta (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
Malta's Clayton Failla attempts to keep possession of the ball (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
Malta's Clayton Failla attempts to keep possession of the ball (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
Forward Andre Schembri trying to breach Norway's defence (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
Forward Andre Schembri trying to breach Norway's defence (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
Blackburn Rovers striker Joshua King going past Andrew Hogg to score Norway's second (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
Blackburn Rovers striker Joshua King going past Andrew Hogg to score Norway's second (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
The Maltese starting XI (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)
The Maltese starting XI (Photo: James Galea/MediaToday)

Two goals in the first 25 minutes helped Norway register an easy win against Malta in yesterday’s Euro 2016 qualifier.

Malta started brightly but Blackburn Rovers forward Joshua King scored a brace and Cardiff’s Mats Møller Daehli grabbed another as Norway won their first match in Group H.

Malta’s coach Pietro Ghedin made just one change from the team which lost to Croatia in their opening game, with Roderick Briffa replacing the suspended Steve Borg.

Andrew 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.

Norway who lost the opening qualifier against Italy 2-0 at home were soon in control at the Ta'Qali national stadium.

After a positive opening when goalkeeper Andrew Hogg was called into action more than once, the visitors took the lead on 21 minutes when Mats Moller Daehli converted a low cross from King.

King made it 2-0 soon after when he sprinted into the left side of the Malta penalty area before slotting home.

Malta tried to react as Clayton Failla and Michael Mifsud both tested Norway goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold.

However, there was no comeback for Malta as King headed in a third goal at the start of the second half from a deep cross by captain Per Ciljan Skjelbred.

Hogg denied King his hat-trick with a couple of good saves before the striker went off during the closing stages as Norway made a couple of changes - but left 15-year-old Stromsgodset winger Martin Odegaard on the bench as an unused substitute and still awaiting his competitive debut.