National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Januz Oparaku started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. If Januz Oparaku had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Stepan Firago showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aulin Janku, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 14th minute, Nderim Pepo managed to get in a good position for a shot. Albania's supporters rose to their feet, but Nderim Pepo was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Stepan Firago breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Marjus Laçka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Svetaslav Yanchyk, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 18th minute Aulin Janku shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Stepan Firago saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Nderim Pepo's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Stepan Firago read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 20th minute of play. 20 minutes into the match, Nderim Pepo had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Stepan Firago. Belarus's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Nderim Pepo was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. 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 23rd minute of play. Marjus Laçka came out of the goal in the 25th minute to try and stop a shot by Belarus's Svetaslav Yanchyk. But to his dismay, Svetaslav Yanchyk quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. 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 29th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 30th minute, Pilip Mikhailov managed to get in a good position for a shot. Belarus's supporters rose to their feet, but Pilip Mikhailov 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. When Nester Skabelko fell near the penalty area in the 37th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Belarus's protests and gave Nester Skabelko a yellow card for diving instead. After a defensive mix-up in Belarus's zone, Isa Koliqi stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Stepan Firago came out of the goal and Isa Koliqi tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Ivan Mezin kicked well hit freekick during the 42nd minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Januz Oparaku in the 45th minute of play forced Belarus's goalkeeper Stepan Firago to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Svetaslav Yanchyk made a kick off. Stepan Firago showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Januz Oparaku in the 54th minute of the match. 61 minutes into the match, Belarus's goal looked a bit too open when Januz Oparaku came free, but Stepan Firago reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Stepan Firago stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Januz Oparaku's shot from short distance in the 63rd minute. Stepan Firago came out of the goal in the 65th minute to try and stop a shot by Albania's Nderim Pepo. But to his dismay, Nderim Pepo quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-2. With an all-out effort, Albania's Stepan Firago threw himself towards the right post 68 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Nderim Pepo, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. 70 minutes into the match, Belarus's goalkeeper Stepan Firago had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Aulin Janku. Albania's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Isa Koliqi in the 71st minute. Fatbardh Malko kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. The supporters of Albania booed when Belarus was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 75 match minutes in a wonderful position. Yuriy Ishyk didn't get a good kick on the ball. A collision led to Albania getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Nderim Pepo hit a great ball. Përparim Bajraktari made in the 79th minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by Belarus's Nester Skabelko. In the 82nd minute, Zani Xaka hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Januz Oparaku struck a weak shot in the 85th 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. With a little luck, Belarus's Stepan Firago got control of the ball when Januz Oparaku tried to sneak it across the goal line. Stepan Firago made an important save on a dangerous shot by Januz Oparaku in the 91st minute. The Albania supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Albania would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.