Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1039277
28 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 OCTOBER 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMENIC AQUILINA/MFA FOOTBALL Dominant Kosovo beat ten men Malta Malta's starting eleven SPORTS WARREN ZAMMIT MALTA faced Kosovo at the Vadil Fokkri Stadium in Koso- vo. This was the first match in which the two nations played against each other. The Mal- tese national team were com- ing from a 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan and a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Faroe Islands. On the other hand, Kosovo shared the spoils with Azer- baijan in a goalless draw dur- ing the opening game. Days later, they registered their first win against the Faroes. Malta had an uphill ahead of them as Kosovo possess a number of players who play competitive football in es- tablished leagues. Their most high profile player is Valon Berisha who at the moment plays for Italian side Lazio. Kosovo controlled posses- sion from the early stages of the match. In fact, they were superior throughout the first half and gave the Maltese players no chance. The group leaders threat- ened Malta on the 11th min- ute. Edon Zhegrova made space for himself and drilled a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area that forced a good save from Andrew Hogg. The home side kept on in- sisting and created another opportunity on the 27th min- ute. Arber Zeneli went past Jo- seph Mbong and hit a low shot that was neutralised by Hogg. Hogg had to be on the alert once more on the 29th min- ute. Vedat Muriqi was played through on goal and attempt- ed to lob the ball past the Mal- tese goalkeeper; however, the latter remained on his feet and stopped him in his tracks. Malta's custodian could not do anything a minute later as Kosovo scored the opening goal. Berisha played Benjamin Kololli through down the left side and the Zurich midfielder placed the ball inside the net. Muriqi nearly added another for Kosovo on the 36th min- ute. The twenty-four-year-old forward received an excellent pass from Herolind Shala that put him face to face with Hogg. Again, Malta's goalkeeper ran forward and blocked his final effort. Malta finally had a chance on goal three minutes later. Mi- chael Mifsud attempted a shot from distance that was saved by Samir Ujkani. The post denied Kosovo from scoring their second goal on the 42nd minute. Edon Zhegrova went inside the pen- alty area past Steve Borg be- fore firing a powerful shot that stamped off the woodwork. Kosovo lost another golden opportunity one minute prior to half-time. Shala delivered a cross towards the unmarked Muriqi who headed the ball off target in front of an open goal. Malta started the second half looking to react and managed to equalise on the 51st minute. Clayton Failla's cross from a corner was met by Andrei Agius whose powerful header gave Ujkani no chance. Kosovo immediately re- gained control as they were looking to score again. They went close through Arber Ze- neli on the 54th minute. The young midfielder received the ball inside the penalty area and hit a shot that took a de- flection off Mbong and went out for a corner. Zhegrova was denied by the post on the 65th minute. Genk's forward made space In a match they dominated, Kosovo registered a 3-1 win over Malta to make sure that they will remain on top in Group 3 for himself inside the penalty area and sent a shot that was parried towards the post by Hogg. Another defensive mistake paved the way for a Kosovo goal three minutes later. Mal- ta's defenders failed to clear their marks as the ball ended up in the path of Muriqi who slotted it past Hogg. Things went from bad to worse for Malta on the 70th minute as Michael Mifsud was given his marching orders by the referee after being shown his second yellow card follow- ing a foul inside the centre of the pitch. Hogg produced an excellent save to deny Kosovo on the 78th minute. Substitute Milot Rashica fired an angled shot that brought the best out of the Maltese goalkeeper. Kosovo sealed the issue on the 81st minute. Rashica de- livered the ball towards Ko- lolli whose effort went behind Hogg. During the remaining min- utes, Kosovo remained in control; however, they had no urge to go forward as they sealed another three points that consolidate their place at the top of the table. Malta will now have to re- group as they will face Azer- baijan today. Kosovo starting line-up: Samir Ujkani, Fidan Aliti, Herolind Shala, Mirlind krye- ziu, Arber Zeneli, Amir Kadri Rrahmani, Valon Berisha, Mergin Vojvoda, Benjamin Kololli, Vedat Muriqi, Edon Zhegrova Malta starting line-up: An- drew Hogg, Joseph Mbong, Steve Borg, Andrei Agius, Paul Fenech, Michael Mifsud, Andre` Schembri, Rowen Muscat, Clayton Failla, Juan Corbalan, Ferdinando Apap Referee: Tamas Bognar (Hungary) Assistant Referees: Balázs Buzás, Theodoros Georgiou Additional Assistant Ref- erees: Ferenc Karakó, Peter Solymosi Fourth Official: Péter Kóbor Kosovo Malta 3 1