Albania lost again on Wednesday amidst the rain at “Loro Borici” which had been the “lucky” stadium since the victory against Russia four years ago in Hans Peter Briegel’s debut. The dense rain did not prevent many fans from supporting their team but they left the stadium with frowns on their faces. Again!
The game began with a minute of silence in honor of Arben Minga, who passed away on Saturday.
At the start of the match the guests attacked Beqaj’s goal often and consistently, while the Albanians appeared uninspired, uncoordinated and generally unprepared. The team was tactically out of position and as a result was punished by the Macedonians in the 33rd minute with Ristic.
Even the substitutions did not change the Albanian’s fortunes and the only clear scoring opportunity came with Dallku who alone in front of Nikollovski managed to fail after a brilliant pass by Duro.
Wednesday’s match serves many lessons that Albania will hopefully draw on. First off they need to stop pointing fingers at one another and start thinking of how to best position the players that are available instead of speculating on who and why did not agree to play. Whoever happens to be behind the decision-making of this team needs to think long and hard about where this team is headed and what this team is going to look like in the future.
Albania – Macedonia 0-1
Stadium “Loro Boriçi” , Shkodër
Scorer – Ristic 33′
Albania – Arjan Beqaj, Elvin Beqiri, Armend Dallku, Altin Haxhi, Nevil Dede, Altin Lala, Besnik Hasi, Devis Muka, Edmond Kapllani, Debatik Curri, Igli Tare – Coach: Otto Bariç
Macedonia – Jane Nikoloski, Nikolce Noveski, Goce Sedloski, Igor Mitreski, Robert Popov, Velice Sumulikoski, Aleksandar Mitreski, Vlatko Grozdanovski, Vlade Lazarevski, Stevica Ristic, Goran Pandev – Coach: Sreçko Katanec
Refere – Paulo Bertini (Itali)
Yellow Card – Pollozhani
Substitutes – 33′ Berisha – Tare , 46′ Duro – Muka,46′ Bogdani- Kapllani , 46’Ervin Bulku – Altin Lala / 46′ Pollozhani – Novevski , 46’Tashevski – Grozhdanovski , 62′ Maznov – Ristic , 75′ Jançevski – Sumilokoskit
