Norway coach Per-Mathias Hogmo expected a defensive approach from Malta but was delighted that his team’s tactics and movement produced two goals and a host of other scoring chances at the Ullevaal Stadium, on Saturday.

“We wanted to use the wide players, the full-backs and wingers, to get around the Maltese defence and get crosses into the box,” Hogmo told Times of Malta.

“With five at the back, you only have one player defending the wing and our aim was to get our players to push up the flanks and create two-against-one situations.

“Another key factor for us on Saturday was that we pressed Malta high up the pitch to regain possession quickly and deny them the opportunity to attack us.”

Norway will surely be siding with Malta tomorrow, hoping that the group minnows cause an upset and deny Croatia from victory.

Decisive encounter

Hogmo knows that the prospect of Malta drawing or winning their final qualifier is remote but he believes that Pietro Ghedin’s team can give the Croatians a tough ride.

“What has impressed me most about Malta is the way they played against Italy in this group,” Hogmo said.

“They really defended well and Italy only won by one goal in both games. The thing about Malta is that they don’t give away too many goals and at home they always gave the possibility of gaining a result.”