Albania U-21 shines in Armenia, the Reds and Blacks start the qualifiers with a win

2023-09-08 19:20:00, Sport CNA

Albania U-21 starts the 2025 European Championship qualifying campaign for this age group with a 1-2 victory over Armenia. The goals scored by Steven Shpendi and Arlind Rexhepi decided the fate of this important challenge for the Red and Black hopes.

Coach Alban Bushi fielded the starting 11: Simoni; Ismaili, Bajrami, Dajko, Buxhelaj; Berisha, Pecani, Bibo; Kurtulan, Shpendi, Rexhepi.

Since the first half, the red and black team led by coach Bushi were clearly superior, trying to score a goal in the opponent's goal in the first few minutes. Berisha had a good opportunity in the 12th minute, after a nice assist from Arda Kurtulan. The midfielder strikes with his left with the ball going next to the post. Shpendi then has a good opportunity to put the Reds and Blacks ahead, but is blocked by the Armenians.

In the 28th minute comes Albania's first goal. Stiven Shpendi undertakes a personal incursion on the left wing, hitting the goalkeeper's second post with his inside, thus giving the Reds and Blacks the advantage.

Nine minutes later, it is Arlind Rexhepi who doubles the numbers for Albania. Pecani takes a corner kick, sending the ball into the opponent's area. At this moment, Arlind Rexhepi takes advantage, who takes the ball into the net.

The first half ends with a 2-0 advantage for Albania led by Alban Bushi. With the start of the second half of the game, the Albanian coach makes a substitution on the field of play, throwing Enis Asani on the field instead of Steven Bibo.

So, during the second half there was also a power outage that lasted almost 10 minutes. In the 75th minute, the game started again. Coach Bushi makes three more substitutions in the ranks of the Reds and Blacks, putting Agan Mjakin, Cristian Shpendi and Klevi Qefalijan on the field instead of Ismail, Kurtula and Asan.

Tarakhchyan narrows the numbers for the Armenians, after a quick counterattack by the Iskenderian midfielder. 1-2 match result in the 88th minute. The challenge referee grants 14 extra minutes due to the interruption of the match.

The match ends with the result 1-2, with Alban Bush's Reds and Blacks getting off to a good start in this elimination campaign in Armenia. On September 12, Albania will host Romania at the 'Elbasan Arena' stadium with the match scheduled to start at 18:30.