National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Mehat Kovaçi took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 3rd minute Nderim Pepo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ter Stegen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Vibar Vërçuni charged in rather forcefully in the 5th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Vibar Vërçuni the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Vibar Vërçuni kicked well hit freekick during the 5th minute of the match. Lúcio da Silva received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Marjus Laçka came out and tried to block the shot, but Lúcio da Silva slotted it home off the left post making it 1-0 in the 6th minute. Ter Stegen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mehat Kovaçi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Through an outstanding action, after 16 minutes, Marjus Laçka successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. The audience thought a goal was coming when Lúcio da Silva got free with Marjus Laçka in the 19th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Kristi Koçiu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 23rd minute. Ter Stegen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 27 played minutes Albania got a freekick which was hit by Nertil Maldini. After some fancy dribbling in the 28th minute, Ebelegbulam Hajto managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ireland's supporters rose to their feet, but Ebelegbulam Hajto 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 Albania's Nderim Pepo in the 30th minute got a chance for a shot 30th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ireland's goalie prevented a goal. After 30 minutes, Nderim Pepo made it 1-1 with a short kick to the right side. Ireland's Ter Stegen tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nderim Pepo in the 34th minute of play forced Ireland's goalkeeper Ter Stegen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gordon Harkin in the 39th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marjus Laçka saved Albania from getting behind. A collision led to Albania getting a freekick after 39 minutes play. Nertil Maldini hit a great ball. 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.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Gordon Harkin was the one to do the kick off. Ter Stegen made an important save on a dangerous shot by Mehat Kovaçi in the 55th minute. Nderim Pepo's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 56thth minute, Ter Stegen skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. A hard shot by Vibar Vërçuni from long distance, 58 minutes into the match, got Ter Stegen's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. The audience was convinced that Gordon Harkin's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Marjus Laçka was relentless in the 59th minute of the game. Ter Stegen made a fantastic save in the 62nd minute, when Mehat Kovaçi sent off a good shot on target. Ireland made a substitution. Patty Hutton replaced Gordon Horgan. When the match had gone on for 74 minutes, Patty Hutton put it in 2-1 from a short distance just to the right of Marjus Laçka. Marjus Laçka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Gordon Harkin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nertil Maldini in the 85th minute of play forced Ireland's goalkeeper Ter Stegen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ter Stegen showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nderim Pepo, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. 89 minutes into the match, Albania's goal looked a bit too open when Gordon Harkin came free, but Marjus Laçka reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 95 minutes into the match, Ireland's goalkeeper Ter Stegen had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Mehat Kovaçi. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The Ireland fans cheered their team off the field, for while Albania had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.