Albania beats Iran 1-0

ISTANBUL, May 28 – Albania won 1-0 Sunday a friendly soccer match with Iran with Emiliano Vila scoring with a beautiful shot.
Iran’s loss to Albania will not prove well mentally, when Iran faces Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifier in just a week.
Albania finally put a number on the scoreline in the 60th minute of the match, when Emiljano Vila benefitted from Iran being unable to clear the ball just outside the box and pummeled the ball past Iranian keeper Alireza Haghighi to put the red and black Eagles ahead.
Both teams began slightly unorganized at the Inonu stadium in Istanbul, with sloppy passes and no clear tactic visible.
Albania got the game on a roll, after Elis Bakaj sent his scissors kick well over the crossbar in the 15th minute. Bakaj came close again on a dangerous free kick in the 23rd minute, curling his shot just wide of Iranian keeper Alireza Haghighi.
Just four minutes later striker Karim Ansarifard’s cross was met with a Hossein Mahini header which was blasted above the goal.
Pejman Nouri had his opportunity sent from an impressive Javad Nekounam pass, although his shot was poorly hit from less than ten yards out.
Eight minutes after the restart, Ansarifard opened the Albanian net, though the goal was disallowed by the referee as the forward’s hand deflected the ball before finishing.
Two minutes later, another golden opportunity emerged for the young Iranian striker after he beautifully dribbled past an Albanian defender but was denied in front of goal by keeper Erit Berisha.
Iran’s best chance for equalizing came when Karimi sent a powerful header at the goal, though the attempt went just centimeters wide.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz rued the many missed scoring opportunities after the 0-1 friendly match defeat to Albania on Sunday evening, however, still expressed happiness about Team Melli’s performance.
“It was a good game, which we will have to analyze in regards to our strengths and weaknesses”, Queiroz was quoted by Iranian news agency ISNA.
Albania also drew 2-2 in a U21 friendly with Macedonia.
The Macedonian U21 national team twice took the lead against its counterparts from Albania but today’s opponents responded each time and the friendly would finish 2:2.