Kosovo national football team

Kosovo
Nickname(s) Dardanët (Dardanians), Djelmoshat e Artë (Golden Boys)
Association Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK)
Confederation UEFA
Head coach Albert Bunjaki
Captain Samir Ujkani
Most caps Shpëtim Hasani (6)
Top scorer Albert Bunjaku
Mërgim Brahimi (2)
Home stadium Pristina City Stadium
Olympic Stadium Adem Jashari
FIFA code KOS
First colours
Second colours
Elo ranking
Current 112[1]
Highest 100[1] (14 February 1993[1])
Lowest 122[1] (June–July 2014[1])
First international
Official (Permitted by FIFA)
Kosovo Kosovo 0–0 Haiti 
(Mitrovica, Kosovo; 5 March 2014)
Unofficial
 Albania 3–1 Kosovo Albania
(Tirana, Albania; 14 February 1993)
Biggest win
Official (Permitted by FIFA)
Kosovo Kosovo 2–0 Equatorial Guinea 
(Pristina, Kosovo; 10 October 2015)
Unofficial
United Nations Kosovo 7–1 Monaco 
(Cap d'Ail, France; 22 April 2006)
Biggest defeat
Kosovo Kosovo 1–6 Turkey 
(Mitrovica, Kosovo; 21 May 2014)

The Kosovo national football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja kosovare e futbollit) represents Kosovo in international men's football. It is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo,[2] the governing body for football in Kosovo. They have been a member of UEFA since May 2016, but are only de facto recognised by FIFA.[3] The team is coached by Albert Bunjaki,[4] who took charge in May 2009.

History

The national team was formed following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, and has played a number of friendly matches. Most of these friendly matches were played against football clubs, although a number were played against national teams of other countries. On 6 May 2008, Kosovo applied for FIFA membership. Kosovo's application was discussed at the FIFA Congress in Zurich, in October 2008 when Kosovo was rejected membership in FIFA and could not play friendly matches as it was deemed it did not comply with article 10 of the FIFA statutes, that only "an independent state recognised by the international community" may be admitted into FIFA.[5][6] FIFA reverted that decision on 22 May 2012, stating that Kosovo may play other countries in international friendlies according to Article 79 of the FIFA Statutes.[7]

In September 2012, Albanian international Lorik Cana, along with Swiss internationals Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Valon Behrami (all of them with Kosovar Albanian origin) wrote a declaration to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, asking him to allow the Kosovo national team to be allowed to play friendly matches. The declaration was also signed by eight other Albanian footballers, hailing from Kosovo: Lorik Cana, Armend Dallku, Mërgim Mavraj, Samir Ujkani, Alban Meha, Burim Kukeli, Etrit Berisha, and Ahmed Januzi.[8] In a meeting held in May 2012, FIFA decided to allow friendly matches to be played, a decision it later revoked following a protest issued by Football Association of Serbia. A new meeting was planned to be held at FIFA on 27 and 28 September in which the Kosovo issue was again planned to be discussed, which was then postponed until December.[9][10] In February 2013, FIFA announced that they would allow Kosovo to play against other nations in non-official competitions providing that they did not display national symbols.[11]

On 13 January 2014, the national team was given permission by FIFA to play against FIFA member associations in international friendlies, with the notable exception of "representative teams of countries of the former Yugoslavia". Even club teams would be allowed to play friendlies after a FIFA Emergency Committee meeting. However, it was stipulated that "clubs and representative teams of the (Football Federation of Kosovo) may not display national symbols (flags, emblems, etc.) or play national anthems." The go-ahead was given after meetings between the Serbian Football Association and Blatter. Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi welcomed the decision and expressed his hope that the country would be a full member of FIFA and UEFA in the near future.[12][13] Following FIFA's ruling, it was announced that Kosovo's first officially sanctioned international match would be against Haiti on 5 March in Mitrovica.

In March 2015 Michel Platini, UEFA's president, declared that Kosovo will be likely accepted in UEFA in 2016.[14]

In September 2015 at an Executive committee meeting in Malta, UEFA approved the request from the federation to the admission in UEFA to the next Ordinary Congress to be held in Budapest on 3 May 2016.[15] At the Ordinary Congress on 3 May 2016, Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28-24 in favor of Kosovo.[16]

Match record

Kosovo has played a number of unofficial international friendlies. The first one was against Albania on 14 February 1993, lost 1–3. The line-up of that match was: Ahmet Beselica (Afrim Tovërlani), Fadil Berisha, Isa Sadriu (Nushi), Bardhyl Seferi, Gani Llapashtica, Selaudin Jerlini (Osmani), Kushtrim Munishi, Sadullah Ajeti (Ramiz Krasniqi), Muharrem Sahiti (Abdullah Rafuna), Genc Hoxha [c] (Idrizi) and Ardian Kozniku.[17]

One of the most important international matches was a 1–0 win over Saudi Arabia,[18] played in Ankara, Turkey, on 15 June 2007. It was the first time that Kosovo played a team that has taken part in the FIFA World Cup and the winning goal was scored by Kristian Nushi from the penalty spot on the 84th minute. The biggest win for Kosovo is the 7–1 defeat of Monaco,[19] who hosted the event on 24 April 2006. The team that played against Monaco was led by the former Kosovo national team coach, Muharrem Sahiti, who after the match stated that: "I am very pleased with the team's performance even though we had predicted a stronger opponent. However, I want to emphasize that our players have been fantastic. The fact that we do not play many international matches may have inspired the players to give it their all this time".[20]

In 2005 they participated in the KTFF 50th Anniversary Cup in Northern Cyprus, finishing second out of three. They lost 1–0 against the host and won 4–1 against Sàpmi.

On 5 March 2014, Kosovo played its first international friendly against Haiti. The match ended in a 0–0 draw.[21] Before the match, a selection of Kosovo players posed with guns at a shooting range, causing a stir in Serbia.[22] On the eve of the match, Kosovo supporters burned the flag of Serbia.[23][24] This incident prompted the FSS to request that FIFA revoke Kosovo's right to play international friendlies.[25] On 14 October 2014 the Kosovo, has played another unofficial international test match against the Swiss team FC Wil 1900 at IPG Arena, Wil, and won 1–0 which was scored by Kushtrim Lushtaku at the 77' minute.[26] On 24 March 2015 the Kosovo, has played another unofficial international test match against the German team courses equated with Eintracht Frankfurt with score 0–0 and the date 27 March 2015, lost from Werder Bremen with score 2–0

Tournament record

Kosovo has so far only participated in one international tournament, the KTFF 50th Anniversary Cup, held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Northern Cyprus Football Federation.[27]

KTFF Cup

Year Round Position Matches Wins Draws* Losses Goals Scored Goals Against
KTFF 50th Anniversary CupGroup stage Runners-up210142

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

List of matches

The following is a list of matches of Kosovo since 1993.[28]

1993–2010

2014

2015

2016

Players

Current squad

The following 20 players were called up for the friendly match against Albania on 13 November 2015.[31]
[32] Caps and goals as of 13 November 2015.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Samir Ujkani (Captain) (1988-07-05) 5 July 1988 4 0 Italy Latina
1GK Visar Bekaj (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 1 0 Kosovo Prishtina
2DF Fanol Perdedaj (1991-07-16) 16 July 1991 5 0 Germany Frankfurt
2DF Loret Sadiku (1991-07-28) 28 July 1991 4 0 Turkey Mersin İdmanyurdu
2DF Ilir Berisha (1991-06-25) 25 June 1991 3 0 Albania Flamurtari Vlorë
2DF Leart Paqarada (1994-10-08) 8 October 1994 3 0 Germany SV Sandhausen
2DF Avni Pepa (1988-11-14) 14 November 1988 3 0 Iceland ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar
2DF Denis Markaj (1991-02-20) 20 February 1991 2 0 Switzerland Lugano
2DF Alban Pnishi (1990-10-20) 20 October 1990 1 0 Switzerland Grasshopper
3MF Enis Alushi (1985-12-22) 22 December 1985 4 0 Germany St. Pauli
3MF Eroll Zejnullahu (1994-10-19) 19 October 1994 3 0 Germany Union Berlin
3MF Mërgim Brahimi (1992-08-08) 8 August 1992 2 2 Switzerland Grasshopper
3MF Bersant Celina (1996-09-09) 9 September 1996 2 1 England Manchester City
3MF Bernard Berisha (1991-10-24) 24 October 1991 2 0 Russia Anzhi Makhachkala
3MF Besar Halimi (1994-12-12) 12 December 1994 2 0 Germany Frankfurt
3MF Valmir Sulejmani (1996-02-01) 1 February 1996 1 0 Germany Hannover
3MF Hekuran Kryeziu (1993-02-12) 12 February 1993 1 0 Switzerland Luzern
4FW Shpëtim Hasani (1982-08-10) 10 August 1982 6 1 Sweden Sundsvall
4FW Elba Rashani (1993-05-09) 9 May 1993 1 1 Norway Rosenborg

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Bajram Jashanica (1990-09-25) 25 September 1990 2 0 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë v.  Equatorial Guinea, 10 October 2015
MF Imran Bunjaku (1992-10-18) 18 October 1992 3 1 Switzerland Grasshopper v.  Equatorial Guinea, 10 October 2015
MF Liridon Krasniqi (1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 3 0 Malaysia Kedah FA v.  Equatorial Guinea, 10 October 2015
MF Leonit Abazi (1993-07-05) 5 July 1993 1 0 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë v.  Equatorial Guinea, 10 October 2015
MF Shkëlqim Pacolli (1994-02-28) 28 February 1994 0 0 Kosovo Hajvalia v.  Equatorial Guinea, 10 October 2015
FW Erton Fejzullahu (1988-06-09) 9 June 1988 1 0 China Beijing Guoan v.  Equatorial Guinea, 10 October 2015

Stadium

Main stadium of Kosovo national team is Pristina City Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi i Qytetit), a multi-purpose stadium based in Pristina.

Also, the second used stadium is Olympic Stadium Adem Jashari (Albanian: Stadiumi Olimpik Adem Jashari), a multi-use stadium in Mitrovica, Kosovo[a].

Kit history

The Kosovo kit has been mostly red and black before the declaration of independence in 2008 with few changes throughout the years. After the independence kits are mostly blue and white.

Kit suppliers

Kit provider Period
Germany Adidas 1993–2013
Italy Legea 2013–2015
Germany Puma 2015
United States Nike 2016–present

Managerial history

This is a chronological list of the managers who have guided Kosovo since 1993.

Individual all-time records

Below are two lists of the top 10 players with the most caps and goals for Kosovo.

As of 13 November 2015.[17][33][34][35][36][37]
  Active players are highlighted

Appearances records

# Name Career Caps Goals
1
Shpëtim Hasani
 2005, 2010, 2014– 6 1
2
Kristian Nushi
 2007–2014 5 1
Fanol Perdedaj
 2014– 5 0
4
Kushtrim Mushica
 2005, 2010, 2014– 4 0
Anel Raskaj
 2010, 2014– 4 0
6
Ilir Nallbani
 2005–2010 3 0
Yll Hoxha
 2010, 2014– 3 0
Samir Ujkani
 2014– 3 0
Albert Bunjaku
 2014– 3 2
Imran Bunjaku
 2014– 3 1
Enis Alushi
 2014– 3 0
Faton Toski
 2014– 3 0
Dardan Rexhepi
 2014– 3 0
Shkodran Metaj
 2014– 3 0
Liridon Krasniqi
 2014– 3 0
Loret Sadiku
 2014– 3 0

Top goalscorers

# Name Career Goals Caps
1
Albert Bunjaku
 2014– 2 3
Mërgim Brahimi
 2015– 2 1
3
Kushtrim Munishi
 1993 1 1
Shpëtim Hasani
 2005, 2010, 2014– 1 6
Kristian Nushi
 2007–2014 1 5
Dukagjin Gashi
 2007–2010 1 2
Imran Bunjaku
 2014– 1 3

Head-to-head records against other countries

As of 14 November 2015
Opponent Games Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Goal Differential Reference
 Albania 401359−4 [33][38][39][40]
 Equatorial Guinea 1100202 H2H results
 Haiti 1010000 H2H results
 Monaco 1100716
 Northern Cyprus 100101−1
 Oman 1100101 H2H results
 Saudi Arabia 1100101 [35]
 Senegal 100113−2 H2H results
 Turkey 100116−5 H2H results
9 Countries 12 4 2 6 18 20 −2 All results at EU-Football.info

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Kirill. "Eloratings.net". Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  2. ↑ Kosovo national team info by FFK
  3. ↑ Kosovo ready to play their first Fifa-sanctioned international football match The National
  4. ↑ coach of Kosovo Kent national football team (AlbaniaSoccer)
  5. ↑ "FIFA's finances solid". FIFA. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  6. ↑ Fifa rejects Kosovo football body application – Sport The Sofia Echo
  7. ↑ "FIFA ExCo makes reform progress and Audit and Compliance Committee appointment". Media Release. FIFA.com. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  8. ↑ Shaqiri Xhaka Cana & Co deklarate per Kosoven ne FIFA
  9. ↑ "Cana, Šaćiri, Džaka i Behrami pisali Blateru zbog Kosova" (in Serbian). Sportski žurnal. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Vokri: FIFA i UEFA imaju dvostruke standarde" (in Serbian). Sportski žurnal. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA.com. 6 February 2013.
  12. ↑ http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/13/uk-soccer-fifa-kosovo-idUKBREA0C1G620140113
  13. ↑ "FIFA Emergency Committee confirms friendly matches involving clubs and representative teams of Kosovo". FIFA.com. 13 January 2014.
  14. ↑ Koha Jone UEFA, Platini: Kosova do të pranohet brenda një viti
  15. ↑ "Kosovo hopeful Uefa admission can lead to place in 2018 World Cup qualifying". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  17. 1 2 1993 MATCHES, Match #6 at RSSSF
  18. ↑ Kosovo 1:0 Saudi Arabia (Futbolli.com) Archived 30 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ Kosovo defeated Monaco by a score of 7–1 (AlbaniaSoccer) Archived 22 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  20. ↑ AlbaniaSoccer (2006). "Salihi's statement after the Monaco friendly". Archived from the original on 29 October 2007.
  21. ↑ "Kosovo footballers draw with Haiti in Mitrovica debut". BBC. 5 March 2014.
  22. ↑ "Kosovo national team cause a stir by posing with guns before first ever international fixture". Independent. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  23. ↑ "Zapaljena zastava Srbije" [Serbian flag burned] (in Serbian). B92. 5 March 2014.
  24. ↑ "Navijači Kosova zapalili zastavu Srbije" [Kosovo supporters burn the Serbian flag] (in Bosnian). Oslobođenje. 5 March 2014.
  25. ↑ "FSS traži opoziv FIFA za Kosovo" [The FSS seeks that FIFA recall Kosovo] (in Serbian). B92. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "Navijači Kosova test in Switzerland" [Kosovo supporters burn the Serbian flag] (in Albanian). Oslobođenje. 14 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "Tr Northern Cyprus – 50 Years Anniversary Cup 2005". Rssf.com. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  28. ↑ Kosovo matches per eloratings.net
  29. ↑ http://koha.net/?id=6&l=111043
  30. ↑ http://koha.net/?id=6&l=111043
  31. ↑ Bunjaku zyrtarizon listën, ja futbollistët e ftuar ndaj Shqipërisë Panorama Sport
  32. ↑ http://www.ffk-kosova.com/federata/?p=10402
  33. 1 2 Kosovo vs. Albania (0:1) National Football Teams
  34. ↑ Kosovo (2005) National Football Teams
  35. 1 2 Kosovo (2007) National Football Teams
  36. ↑ Kosovo (2010) National Football Teams
  37. ↑ Kosovo international footballers of all-time EU-Football.info
  38. ↑ International Matches 1993 – Europe, January–March RSSSF
  39. ↑ Koha shtesë ia siguroi fitoren Shqipërisë – Sport plus Bota Sot
  40. ↑ Miqësorja vëllazërore në barazim 2–2, Prishtina e tëra në festë Telesport

External links

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