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Girls' Nations League/ Albania unlucky, defeated by Cyprus

2025-10-24 20:25:00, Sport CNA

Albania played its first match against Cyprus this afternoon, valid for the UEFA Nations League play-out phase. In the match held at the “Antonis Papadopoulos” stadium, the red and black girls were defeated with the final score 3-2.

Coach Armir Grima fielded this lineup: Antigoni Hyska (GK), Arbiona Bajraktari, Sara Maliqi, Klea Hamonikaj, Arbenita Curraj, Ezmiralda Franja, Alma Hilaj, Megi Doçi (C), Qendresa Krasniqi, Mimoza Hamidi and Valentina Troka.

The match did not start well for the red and black girls, with the Cypriot team being the most dominant in the first minutes. Everything changed after the 15th minute, when our team started to get closer to the opposing goal, creating several dangerous chances.

In the 23rd minute, the golden opportunity for the Rossoneri to take the lead came. Megi Doçi led the ball well, entered the area and faced the goalkeeper, but her attempt was stopped. After her, Troka also attempted, but the Cypriot goalkeeper reacted correctly again, avoiding the goal.

A few minutes later, our team won a free kick after a foul near the area. Megi Doçi took over the execution and with a tokazi shot sent the ball into the net, giving Albania the lead in the 29th minute.

The goal gave encouragement to the red and black girls, who a few minutes later doubled the score again with Doçi. The red and black captain shot from a distance of about 40 meters and with a brilliant execution, surprised the Cypriot goalkeeper, bringing the score to 2-0.

In the 43rd minute, Cyprus narrowed the gap with a goal from distance, where goalkeeper Hyska could not react in time. The home team equalized at the end of the first half.

Albania was again close to a third goal in the extra minutes of the first half, but failed to make it happen. The first half ended with a score of 2-2.

The second half started well for our team, who immediately looked for the lead. Doçi made a nice assist for Hamid, but the attempt was not successful.

In the 63rd minute, Albania had another golden opportunity. Krasniqi launched a quick counterattack, giving a perfect pass to Troka, who found herself in front of the goalkeeper, but her shot ended up wide.

The Reds maintained control of the game, shifting the match almost entirely to the Cypriot half and applying constant pressure.

However, against the flow of the game, Cyprus managed to score in the 83rd minute, taking the lead again with the third goal of the match.

The match ended with a score of 3-2 in favor of Cyprus. Despite the loss, the red and black girls played a good match, creating many chances in the second half, but were stopped by a lack of accuracy in finishing.

Albania will play the return match at "Air Albania" on October 28, at 18:00, where the result will decide whether our team will continue its journey in League B or will fall to League C for the next edition of the Nations League.