National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Svetaslav Yanchyk got the match started through his kick off. Stepan Firago showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Januz Oparaku, who was totally free with the ball in the 2nd minute. 3 minutes into the match, Albania's goal looked a bit too open when Svetaslav Yanchyk came free, but Marjus Laçka reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Marjus Laçka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Vadim Borisenko, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Belarus were awarded a corner in the 8th minute after Albania's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Nester Skabelko took the corner. Përparim Bajraktari tried to clear up in front of the goal, but didn't succeed and rather the ball rolled into the own goal to the right of a despaired Marjus Laçka. An unnecessary self made goal, 0-1 in the 8th minute. When Yuriy Ishyk fell near the penalty area in the 10th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Belarus's protests and gave Yuriy Ishyk a yellow card for diving instead. After 10 played minutes Belarus got a freekick which was hit by Yuriy Ishyk. Stepan Firago took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Januz Oparaku, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Yuriy Ishyk kicked well hit freekick during the 12th minute of the match. Belarus's Stepan Firago played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nderim Pepo in the 13th minute of play. Albania were awarded a corner in the 14th minute after Belarus's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Isa Koliqi took the corner. Marjus Dragoti made a great header on Albania's corner, it was just that Belarus's Stepan Firago managed to reach the ball for a save. Januz Oparaku who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 14thth minute tested the skills of Stepan Firago when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Januz Oparaku received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Stepan Firago tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marjus Laçka made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Svetaslav Yanchyk in the 21st minute of play. Stepan Firago took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nderim Pepo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 28th minute, Marjus Dragoti fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. Nderim Pepo struck a weak shot in the 30th minute. Stepan Firago didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Albania. Aulin Janku was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 31st minute. Albania's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. The supporters of Belarus booed when Albania was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 35 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fatbardh Malko didn't get a good kick on the ball. Nderim Pepo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Belarus's Yuriy Ishyk got a free kick in the 39th minute. Stepan Firago made a fantastic save in the 39th minute, when Januz Oparaku sent off a good shot on target. Januz Oparaku did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-1 to the left of a surprised Stepan Firago 47 minutes into the match. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

Svetaslav Yanchyk sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nderim Pepo in the 60th minute of play forced Belarus's goalkeeper Stepan Firago to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Belarus's Stepan Firago played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Januz Oparaku in the 62nd minute of play. Stepan Firago came out of the goal in the 69th minute to try and stop a shot by Albania's Aulin Janku. But to his dismay, Aulin Janku quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 2-1. Nderim Pepo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 71st minute. Stepan Firago tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 76th match minute, Albania was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fatbardh Malko to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 77th minute, Yuriy Ishyk managed to get in a good position for a shot. Belarus's supporters rose to their feet, but Yuriy Ishyk was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marjus Laçka breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Marjus Laçka stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Svetaslav Yanchyk's shot from short distance in the 79th minute. After 83 minutes of play, Albania's Nderim Pepo made it 3-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Stepan Firago was left in no man's land by his defense there! Përparim Bajraktari made in the 90th minute of the game a fairly good throw-in which was taken care of by Januz Oparaku. After a defensive mix-up in Belarus's zone, Januz Oparaku stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Stepan Firago came out of the goal and Januz Oparaku tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play.