- Michael Hanley
- Sun, Nov 13 2016
In what was seen as the first leg of a battle to finish in third place behind Italy and Spain, Israel pulled off 3-0 win in the Balkans on Saturday night to put them in poll position for this most unfulfilling of prizes.
Nobody ever really expected a game between these two small, volatile nations to pass off peacefully: the pre match build up alone saw the game moved from the bleak northern Albanian city of Shkoder to the even bleaker surrounds of Elbasan a city 35kms outside Tirana due to police uncovering a terrorist plot to attack the Israeli team.
While thankfully affairs off the field passed without incident, the majority of the 3,500 in attendance on a grim , wet night would have went home feeling disillusioned after watching their side implode against a clinical Israeli outfit
Both sides came into the game on six points, Israel having followed up an opening day defeat against Italy in Haifa with solid wins over Liechtenstein and Macedonia, while Albania had wins over the same opposition having been defected 2-0 by Spain on matchday three.
Both teams were set up 4-3-3 and from the outset Israel set about their task with much more composure than the hosts. Israel's midlfield trio of Almog Cohen, Berbars Natcho and Dan Einbinder began to assert control quickly.
Much was made pre match of the contest between Inglostadt's Cohen and Basel's Xhaka, however it was the Bundesliga man who came out on top.
Cohen was instrumental in providing the dangerous Ben Sahar and Maccabi Tel Aviv's Tal Ben Chaim with plenty of possession and their speed had the Albanian back four on the back foot from the off as they struggled to contain Eran Zahavi (whose movement off the ball was excellent at times), who continually sought out channels to run in behind their rear guard.
Ironically, Israel's opener in the 18th minute, the result of Zehavi's continual menace, was created from a route one style punt forward by center half Eitan Tibi. Albanian central defender Berat Djimisti, who even at this early stage looked to be seriously out of his depth with Zehavi, was caught out again by the striker's movement and proceeded to take him down and give away a penalty.
Djimisti, as the last man, cut a frustrated figure as he made his way to showers after being shown a straight red card, while Zehavi expertly converted the penalty.
The remainder of the opening period saw Israel comfortably contain their hosts. Sahar was causing all sorts of issues down the left hand side of the Albanian defence as the hosts adopted a 3-3-3 formation until half time.
The industrious Xhaka worked hard in the middle the front three led by Bekim Belaj but did little to trouble David Goresh in the Israeli goal. Indeed, Cohen and Natcho were very unlucky with shots from distance towards the end of the half as the Israelis could have gone in further ahead.
Though even with 10 men, one sensed that Albania had a chance, and Israel opened the second half sitting very deep with Zehavi ploughing a lone forrow up front.
Albania's best player on the night, Ledian Memushaj, began to threaten the left side of Israel's defense, however all of his industry was undone by the fact that the Albanian attacking trio looked very flat. It was the 77th minute before Goresh had to really make a save of note from the disappointing Odiese Roshi.
The game defining moment came in the 56th minute. Zehavi, always lively and alert, ran on to a through-ball from Cohen that was collected by Etrit Berisha in the Albanian goal. Zehavi went to ground rather theatrically during the exchange gesticulating wildly to German referee Deniz Ayetekin for a penalty, Berishi took exception to this and responded by leading into Zehavi with his head. Cue more theatrics.
Mr. Ayetekin was left with no option as Berishi became the second Albanian to see a red card, Albania down to nine men, and a chance for Zehavi to double the visitor's lead from the spot.
In the chaos that followed, Giovanni Di Biasi sacrificed one of his attackers Llullaku for substitute keeper Alban Hoxha, Hoxha saved a weak effort from Zehavi and the crowd vented their anger at the Guangzhou R&F man who left Maccabi Tel Aviv for €20 million in the Summer.
With nine men, Albania, led by the plucky Memushaj, put up a spirited fight. This Israeli team have always had question marks over their defense. Eitan Tiibi, who looked very suspect in Tallaght against Dundalk in September, always looked unsure of himself and were it nor for the sheer ineptitude of the Albanian attack Israel could have been in trouble despite numerical superiority.
Whatever chance Albania had at 1-0 to salvage something were dashed in the 66th minute. Maor Buzaglo, a replacement for Ben Sahar who was on a yellow card, swung in great cross from the right. Hoxha beat Zehavi to the ball but only succeeded in punching to the advancing Dan Einbinder and the Beitar Jerusalem midfielder managed to ricochet the ball into the empty goal.
Another subsitute Eliran Atar added a third in the 84th minute to complete a good night's work for Elisha Levy's men.
Albania: Etrit Berisha; Elseid Hysaj (Edgar Cani 79), Berat Djimisti, M. Mavraj, Ansi Agoili; Taulant Xhaka (Rey Manaj 82), Burim Kukeli, Ledian Memushaj, Odiese Roshi, Bakim Belaj; Azdren Llullaku (Alban Hoxha 57).
Subs not used: Thoma Strakosha (gk), Andi Lila, Ermir Lenjani, Frederic Veseli, Migjen Basha, Jahmir Hyka, Naser Aliji, Eros Grezda, Amir Abrashi.
Booked: Azden Llullaku (31), Taulant Xhaka(49)
Sent off: Berat Djimisti (13), Etrit Berisha (55)
Israel: David Goresg (GK), Eli Dasa, Shir Tzedek, Eitan Tibi, Rami Gershon, Almog Cohen, Berbars Natcho, Dan Einbinder (Tomer Hemed 70), Tal Ben Chaim (Eliran Atar 75), Eran Zahavi, Ben Sahar (Maor Buzaglo 64).
Subs not used: Daniel Amos (gk), Omri Glazer (gk), David Keltjens, Taleb Twatha, Dor Miha, Michael Ohana, Omri Ben Harush, Neta Lavi.
Booked: David Goresh (40'), Ben Sahar(61'), Maor Buzaglo (80')
Sent off: None.
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany)
Attendance: 3,500 (estimate)
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Almog Cohen (Israel).
