World Cup Qualifier Preview: Israel -v- Albania

Back in November these two sides met on a chaotic occasion in the dreary Albanian industrial city of Elbasan.  In a game overshadowed by security issues surrounding the Israeli team, you can read our report from that encounter here. We will also be present in Haifa tonight in slightly warmer conditions as Albania and the locals meet in an encounter with the prize of finishing in third place behind Spain and Italy all that is realistically on offer.

ISRAEL

After an opening day defeat at home to Italy, Elisha Levy’s charges accumulated nine points from nine  with wins over Lichtenstein, Macedonia, and tomorrow night’s opponents Albania before normal service was resumed rather emphatically as Israel crashed to a 4-1 defeat to Spain in Gijon last March.

A 90^th minute Ben Sahar penalty was required to salvage a draw at home to lowly Moldova in a friendly game played in Netanya stadium last week in an uninspiring performance that drew the ire of supporters and former players like Yossi Benayoun
 

At this evening’s pre match press conference at the Sami Ofer stadium in Haifa, captain Eran Zahavi referred to Benayoun’s criticisms when questioned about morale in the camp.
 

“The energy between the players are good, we will come as ready as possible and play for each other”.
Zahavi, with 20 goals in 25 games for Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese SuperLeague after a 12.5 million euro transfer from Maccabi Tel Aviv last Summer was questioned also about his own contribution to the national team.
 

"I bring my abilities and strength to the fore when the team plays better, I'm not a player who comes and takes the ball alone and wins the game.”

Coach Elisha Levy also referred to the game against Moldova and criticism that his team lacked confidence going forward
 

“We were not aggressive enough against Moldova, we created few opportunities but it was an excellent training game and there were many positives that I tool from it.
 

“It's true that we suffered against Moldova and against Spain, but I think we’re progressing.
The trick is that when you attack, you have to take advantage of numbers and make the right move. I always tell our players to play with confidence and I do not limit them. On the contrary, I demand as many players as possible to go forward, we are an attack minded team.
 

“The crowd must be with us,“ stressed Levy a number of times over the course of the press briefing.

Israel have injury concerns over veteran central defender Tal Ben Haim. The Maccabi Tel Aviv stalwart who has played for an incredible nine English Premier League teams did train on Saturday but it is unlikely he will start tomorrow night. Eyal Golassa is expected to be favored to Brighton’s Beram Kayal in midfield and upfront Levy can choose from Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s Ben Sahar, Brighton’s Tomer Hemed and Lior Rafaelov of Club Brugge to partner Zehavi
 

ALBANIA

Exactly 12 months to the day on a hot afternoon in Lens, Albanian football was on the crest of a wave as Gianni Di Biasi’s men made their debut in the Balkan nation’s first major international football tournament taking on Switzerland. A 5^th minute Fabian Schar goal was enough for the Swiss that day to emerge victorious on an emotional occasion for the Balkan nation that contained many sublplots notably their influential midfielder Taulant Xhaka lining out against his brother Granit.

Fast forward one year and the situation is not looking as positive, a 2-1 reversal at lowly Luxembourg in a friendly game last week was Albania’s fifth successive defeat. With four goals in their last six internationals, two of those coming in a win over group minnows Lichtenstein it is clear that this is an area that Albania are lacking.

Di Biasi’s squad that arrived in Haifa on Thursday only have two recognized strikers. One of these, Lugano’s Armando Sadiku who scored the nation’s most famous goal in their 1-0 victory over Romania at last year’s European Championships is expected to lead the line on his own.

He will be reliant on service from Ledlan Memushaj and Odiese Rioshi, the former who plys his trade with Pescara relegated to Seria B in Italy this season was the team’s most impressive performer in the capitulation against Israel in Elbasan last November.

At the back, Di Biasi will look to Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj and Torino’s Arlind Ajeti to keep Eran Zehavi and Ben Sahar in check. Last November’s encounter between the sides saw goalkeeper Etrit Berisha and central defender Berat Djimisti sent off before the hour mark in a chaotic night for the Albanian rearguard. Last week’s defeat to Luxembourg doesn’t inspire confidence however that the defensive ills are close to been rectified
 

Taulant Xhaka was not listed in the squad for this game due to an injury sustained playing for Basel at the end of the season

Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (BLR)

PREDICTION
Israel 1 Albania 0

Israel
injured: None
Doubtful: Tal Ben Haim
Suspended: None

Albania
injured: Taulant Xhaka
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Ansi Agolli

We will be live from Israel with live updates, reports and post match this evening. View Mike Hanley's live updates here.