FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
In the 18th minute, Latvia won a penalty. After a quick counterattack by the home team, Gutkovskis was brought down in the penalty area after a contact with Kumbulla and the referee signaled from the penalty spot.
3 minutes later, Strakosha saved Ikaunieks' shot.
After the draw with Serbia, the Rossoneri must defeat the home team at all costs in order to defend second place behind England. To do this, the Rossoneri must achieve their first ever victory over Latvia, with whom all 5 previous meetings have ended in a draw.
Our boys have managed to score 6 goals, while conceding the same number of goals. Both teams are at a moment where every point has extraordinary value for the final objective: historic qualification to the World Cup, a dream that neither Latvia nor Albania have ever experienced.
The historical balance is rare to see in modern football: five matches, five draws. From 1992 to 1999, every match between Albania and Latvia has produced only a draw. Even the last match, in September 1999 at “Qemal Stafa”, ended with a spectacle of goals, but a 3-3 draw. Every attempt to upset this balance has failed. In Riga, one of the two national teams has a historic chance to change this unusual chapter and get the first victory.
The group statistics speak in favor of Albania: the Rossoneri have scored 3 goals in these qualifiers, with a strong defense, which has only conceded 2 goals (from England). Latvia, on the other hand, has scored only one goal and conceded 3. Moreover, the difference in the FIFA rankings is noticeable: Albania is positioned in 66th place, while Latvia is ranked 138th.
Now is the time to break the balance and take the big step towards the big dream.
Coach Silvinjo has made two forced changes in defense for this match, activating Ismajli and Kumbulla for Gjimshiti and Ajeti, who are missing for today's match. But in the meantime, he has made another tactical change on the right wing, putting Balliu on the field instead of Hysaj.
The rest of the team does not change compared to the match played against Serbia a few days ago in Tirana.
Lini një Përgjigje