Albania play Portugal in key qualifier for group lead
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By Ervin Lisaku
Albanian striker Bekim Balaj celebrates after scoring a winning volley in the September 2014 opening qualifier away to Portugal
TIRANA, Sept. 7 - Albania will play at home to Portugal this evening in a key Euro 2016 qualifier after getting a priceless point from a goalless draw away to rivals Denmark last weekend in their bid for a first-ever qualification in a major football competition.
Albania play Group I leaders Portugal at Elbasan Arena in an effort to repeat the historic 1-0 away victory last year in the opening qualifier which is the only 'shock' defeat the Portuguese have suffered in their first five qualifiers.
With three matches to go, Albania currently rank third in Group I with 11 points, level with Denmark which hold an advantage only thanks to an away goal to Albania in last October's qualifier despite Albania having one game at hand.
Having already mathematically secured a place in the play-offs, a home victory against group leaders Portugal will be decisive for Albania's dream to achieve a direct qualification.
However, Monday evening's match will be more difficult for the national side as Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will be starting for Portugal after missing in the home match.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Albania's coach Italian Gianni De Biasi jokingly threatened to vote for Ronaldo's rival, Argentinean Lionel Messi, in the next FIFA Golden Ball if the Portuguese scores in Albania.
“I hope he has a change of heart because I voted him for the Ballon D'or. Otherwise... I will vote for Messi," said De Biasi.
Portugal play Albania after losing 1-0 in a friendly against Euro 2016 hosts France and four consecutive victories in the qualifiers.
"This match is important to us for three reasons. Firstly, because we confirm our shape and results we have achieved, secondly because we are in a decisive stage of the qualifiers and thirdly because we play against a big opponent which leads our qualifying group," said De Biasi.
Portugal's coach Fernando Santos described the qualifier with Albania as tough, but not decisive for a mathematical qualification.
"Albania is an equal opponent. They have a motivated team and are very close to a historic achievement of qualifying for the European championship. They are an aggressive team but we will try playing our game," Santos said in a press conference in Tirana.
Albania suffered a lot in the qualifier against Denmark, but defended well until the end of the match and could have even won the game at stoppage time when substitute winger Roshi squandered a good scoring opportunity.
Albania has only one victory and a draw from six international meetings with Portugal.
Remaining unbeaten in five qualifiers, including two friendlies with France, Albania will look to prove that their shock victory to Portugal in their opening qualifiers was no coincidence.
Second-placed Denmark will play away to Armenia who were beaten 2-0 by Serbia last weekend in a match behind closed doors.
Albania’s qualifying campaign will close with a delicate home match against bottom Serbia on October 8 before travelling to Armenia three days later.
For the very first time, Albania’s national football team has made it to the world’s top 30 following a surprise positive performance in its Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Albania climbed 14 places to a historic high of 22nd in the August FIFA Men’s ranking after Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport gave Albania a 3-0 victory in last October’s abandoned match away to Serbia in a final decision ending a legal battle which reversed a previous ruling by Europe’s football governing body. Albania had previously beaten Euro 2016 hosts France 1-0 in a home friendly. In the September ranking Albania, lost three places ranking 25th.
Meanwhile, Albania will face a tough race in the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers after being drawn against four-time World Cup winners Italy and 2010 winners Spain in Group G.
