Futsal Planet

Albania vs Algeria

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by Damon Shaw from Tripoli

Albania took 11th place from Algeria, despite having a depleted squad due to their infighting after yesterday’s game. Algeria put up a good fight but will rue their lack of clinical finishing in a game they would have thought they could have won.

In the first five minutes Albania had hit the wood work twice and then took the lead through captain, Zamir Lumanaj from a well worked corner. With the score line at 1-0 the game started to open up and Algeria could have and probably should have equalised but Zahir Meghzili failed to control as his team mate played the ball square taking the keeper out the picture. His failure to control allowed the defenders to get back in position and snuff out the attack.

Albania doubled their lead when Fisnik Bllaca ran through the Algerian defence unopposed and shot past the goalkeeper. It was a fantastic run in and out of players who didn’t seem to want to challenge him. He made it 2-0 and the Albanians were in control, but with their limited subs, could they keep it up?

Boulem Melab was the first to really come close to opening Algeria’s account and he broke down the right and shot. The ball hit the bottom of the right hand post before bouncing across the goal and out for a goal clearance. He did get on the score sheet moments later though and it was an unstoppable finish past the flailing goalkeeper. It was 2-1 and Algeria were getting a hold of the game.

Albania almost got their two goal advantage back but a good save from Bendida from Dajko’s shot and the crossbar for Neziri’s first time follow up thwarted their efforts and on the stroke of half time, Albania held out themselves when the referee awarded a 6 metre penalty for a foul inside the area. Illies Chelali stepped up, and on a day of a lot of penalties this was one of the few that were saved! And it was saved well by Bledar Hackaj to keep the score at 2-1 at half time.

Shortly after the interval and Albania had a 6 metre penalty of their own when Farid Tifrani was adjudged to have fouled Fisnik Bllaca. He duly stepped up and was able to convert to make it 3-1. Algeria pressed but couldn’t find a way through and with around eight minutes remaining Tifrani became active in the game as a flying goalkeeper.

It gave Algeria possession high up and they fashioned several chances for shots, but Albania were defending deep and compact so all shots were either from wide or distance. The time ticked away and Algeria couldn’t get the lucky break they needed. Tifrani was dictating play, but he also fell foul of the rule that stopped a goalkeeper receiving the ball back ANYWHERE after a goal clearance. It must be touched by an opposition player before the goalkeeper can play it, even if he is in the opposition half.

This means a team cannot play with a flying goalkeeper direct from a goal clearance and must try to play with only 4, until it is touched by an opponent.

Albania saw the game out with some resolute defending and took revenge on Algeria and claimed 11th place, Algeria finishing in 12th.

Fisnik Bllaca came away with the Futsal Planet MVP award for his contribution to a tough game that was made even tougher by the fact that Albania were missing some key players.

Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com