by Albania emerged victorious over the Faroe Islands by 3 – 0 in front of a boisterous crowd. Fortesa Berisha gave Albania an early lead with her first goal in country-colours, before Djellza Istrefaj and Armera Tukaj wrapped up the win in the second half. Coaches Armir Grimaj and Signe Pries Andersen gave their assessments, together with Albania’s Fortesa Berisha & first-time skipper Sara Maliqi.
Team Selections
Albania’s Armir Grimaj opted for Antigona Hyska in goal. Arbiona Bajraktarii and Armera Tukaj partnered each other in defence, with Matilda Gjergji and Sara Maliqi providing the width. Captain Ezmiralda Franaj started in midfield alongside Alma Hilaj. Lucija Gjini and Arbenita Curraj started on the flanks, while Eriola Deliaj supported Fortesa Berisha in attack.
Signe Pries Andersen continued to to trust Oluva Joensen in goal. She was protected by the trio of Durita Hummeland, Birita Ryan and Torunn Hojgaard Joensen. Captain Asla Johannesen and Malena Olsen started as the wing-backs, with Eydvor Klakstein and Runa Jacobsen in the centre of the park. Sunniva Willemoes Dal Christiansen and Heidi Sevdal supported Rebekka Fjallsa Benbakoura in attack.
Albania Seize Lead
The Albanian side were keen to show their stature between the two teams. It took just two minutes for Fortesa Berisha to be released behind the defence, forcing a save from Oluva Joensen and winning her team a corner. However, Birita Ryan headed out before Heidi Sevdal put distance into the clearance.
The Faroe Islands sought to get some footing in the match through a free-kick but were successfully thwarted by the Albanian defence. Albania made the pressure pay to nudge in front in the 8th minute. Twenty-year old Fortesa Berisha was released behind and fired into the far top right corner of the goal to put her team in front and earn her first goal in national team colours at senior level. The goal sent the already loud Albanian support to a new level.
The team in red pressed high, clearly on the search for more, with Berisha involved in another attack but pulling the shot just wide of the far corner. Instead the Faroe Islands responded with a chance of their own. Eydvor Klakstein glided forward in midfield, before spreading it wide to Asla Johannesen who darted inward toward goal. However, she pulled the low shot wide of the far corner.
The Faroe Island captain was again involved to create another half-chance, crossing toward Rebekka Fjallsa Benbakoura, but Sara Maliqi made an expertly timed tackle to deny her the space for the shot.
Albania came very close to doubling their lead in the 25th minute as Fortesa Berisha crossed toward Arbenita Curraj who arrived at the far post but headed into the post.
Both teams had opportunities to try to create something form set-pieces, with tackles flying from both sides. Matilda Gjergji landed herself in the book for a clattering challenge into Sunniva Willemoes Dal Christiansen. However, neither side were able to trouble the goalkeeper, with the defences coming out on top.
Half-Time Score: Albania 1 – 0 Faroe Islands
Albania Extend Lead
Albania’s Armir Grimaj made two changes at the break, bringing on Gresa Berisha in a straight swap with Eriola Deliaj. Meanwhile, Djellza Istrefaj took to the pitch on the left wing, instead of Arbiona Bajraktari. Istrefaj’s appearance resulted in Arbenita Curraj moving into left-back, while Sara Maliqi shifted to centre-back.
The Faroe Islands started the stronger of the two with captain Asla Johannesen being well found by Malena Olsen in the box. The skipper struck first time with the right boot to force a save from Antigona Hyska, winning a corner. Albania’s skipper Ezmiralda Franaj attempted to clear but found Eydvor Klakstein who fired first time from distance but over the bar.
Asla Johannesen whipped a cross into the danger area, but it was not attacked by anyone, before delivering another one close to the goalkeeper Antigona Hyska who fumbled the clearance for a corner. Albania countered with precision to develop one of their major opportunites, but one which they were not able to take. Sara Maliqi cleared at the near post, before finding Ezmiralda Franaj who released Fortesa Berisha. The youngster sped away from the defence, but fired with her left boot at a comfortable height for Oluva Joensen who saved comfortably.
Berisha continued with her bright appearance for the team, making another dart up the right wing and crossing into Gresa Berisha, but she was unable to make the connection. Despite this, the team doubled their lead on the hour mark. Substitute Djellza Istrefaj looped a header into the net, converting the cross from Ezmiralda Franaj.
Signe Pries Andersen responded with her first changes of the match, bringing on Fridrikka Klementsen and Mona Rasmusdottir in straight swaps with Heidi Sevdal and Rebekka Fjallsa Benbakoura.
However, Albania did not give them much time to settle, instead firing in the third in the 65th minute. The Faroe Islands failed to clear effectively from a corner, with the ball landing at the feet of Armera Tukaj who dinked it into the far right corner from just inside the box. The player was engulfed by her teammates while the Albanian supporters were in full voice, certain of their victory.
More changes ensued, from both teams. Malena Olsen gave way to Jensa Kannuberg Torolvsdottir in the 70th minute. On the other hand, Fortesa Berisha was replaced by Valentina Troka, while Nora Dedgjonaj took to the pitch instead of Arbenita Curraj. Dedgjonaj slotted at centre-back, pushing Sara Maliqi back into left-back.
A final double-switch was made by the Albanian dugout for the final ten minutes. Klaudia Borci took to the pitch instead of Lucije Gjini, while captain Ezmiralda Franaj was replaced by Mikaela Metalla. Franaj placed the captain’s armband to Sara Maliqi for the final ten minutes, marking her first time as skipper with the national team, against the backdrop of the Albanian support shouting Maliqi’s name.
The Faroe Islands developed another major chance in the final throes of the game Jensa Kannuberg Torolvsdottir crossed into her skipper, Asla Johannesen, who fired a right boot at it but it flew over the bar. Jensa Kannuberg Torolvsdottir struck a low shot with the outside foot shortly after testing Antigona Hyska once more who made the save but could not hold it, allowing the Faroe Islands to win a corner. Despite this, the team was unable to convert.
Albania had one final opportunity through a free-kick after Sara Maliqi was clattered into on the left wing. Gresa Berisha attempted to curl one from distance, but Oluva Joensen was untroubled.
Final Score: Albania 3 – 0 Faroe Islands
Post-Match Reactions
Fortesa Berisha expressed her joy at getting her first goal for Albania, “I’m very happy for the win, and I’m very happy to score my first ever goal for Albania. It’s a privilege to score for this great team.”
Sara Maliqi was a rock at the back for the team and asked to assess the performance she said, “I’m very happy to have had a good match, but also for the team to get this win.” Probed about taking the captain’s armband, Maliqi continued, “It was a great joy to get the chance to be the captain for the first time.”
Both Berisha and Maliqi nodded to the loud support who travelled to Malta and were behind their team from start to finish. Berisha said, “It was amazing to have their support. I don’t know when they came here but it’s great to have this support and I’m really grateful for this.” Maliqi echoed her teammate, “It was the first time to see this many supporters. It was great because to see those numbers so far from home makes it even more special.”
Albania’s coach Armir Grimaj spoke of the winning performance, “We were prepared to win the match. I was particularly happy with three girls and it’s in our interest to have girls playing even better football for the future.”
Faroe Islands’ coach Signe Pries Andersen gave her assessment of the team’s performance, “The beginning of the game was difficult because we struggled with the wind and to get up the pitch. Once we did, we had some big chances but we could not score. We were almost getting into the game, but then they scored with a couple of set-pieces so it was tough for us.”
Grimaj praised the overall tournament experience in regard to preparing for the upcoming competitive fixtures, “The aim of these matches (against Belarus & the Faroe Islands) were to get ready for the European Qualifiers. The tournament was very helpful for us, the organisation was good. We hope to continue having more competitive fixtures and more good matches for our team.”
Asked about the overall tournament experience in terms of preparing for the upcoming competitive fixtures, Faroe Islands’ coach Signe Pries Andersen said, “It was a good preparation. We tried a new system, some different players, different positions. Overall, it was very interesting to see how we compare to these teams (Malta & Albania).”
Lead Images: Dorienne Grech
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[…] the Visit Malta International Friendlies tournament, following the earlier contest between Albania and the Faroe Islands. Players will return to their clubs, while coaches take stock of their showings until the UEFA […]