- Michael Hanley
- Mon, Jun 12 2017
By Mike Hanley in Tel Aviv
On a sweltering night in Haifa, a composed Albanian side cruised to a 3-0 win over a poor and disjointed Israeli team who were devoid of any attacking creativity.
The result will have little impact on group G with Spain and Italy in the vanguard as they approach the business end of the qualifiers in the Autumn.
As a reward for their win Albania climb to third place, seven points behind the leading duo and ahead of Israel on goal difference.
Both teams have been less than impressive of late as a run of five straight defeats, culminating in a 2-1 reversal at lowly Luxembourg last week, had Albania's Italian coach Giovanni Di Biasi under serious pressure to get a result and avenge the 3-0 defeat to tonight’s hosts in Elbasan last November.
Elisha Levy’s charges stumbled to a draw at home to Moldova in their most recent outing that saw veteran playmaker Yossi Benayoun openly attack the attitude of some of the team’s more influential players in the local media.
Israel started the more brightly with Bibras Natcho prominent in the opening exchanges from midfield. A speculative effort from 30 yards and an exquisite curling shot from outside the box from the CSKA Moscow player tested Thomas Strakosha in the Albanian goal.
Three corners inside the opening 15 minutes were a sign of the intent that Elisha Levy’s men brought to the game, though all were dealt comfortably by the Albanian rearguard in which captain Mergim Mavraj and Berat Xhimisti were commanding throughout.
The first warning sign for Israel came after 15 minutes. The imposing Armando Sadiku was given too much space by Tibi and Shir Tzedek outside the Israeli box and he had a shot on the turn easily gathered by Goresh.
As the half went on, Albania began to assert total control on proceedings. The very impressive Memushaj was the fulcrum of their attack, with Napoli’s Hysaj and Odiese Roshi from Terek Grozny prominent on both flanks and the brilliantly composed Jahmir Hyka working midfield.
Albania broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, as once again Sadiku found himself in acres of space outside the Israeli box and was allowed to turn and shoot inside Goresh’s right hand post.
Israel, to their credit, tried to respond. Dasa and industrious Rafaelov worked hard to create openings but Sahar and Zehavi struggled to find any space inside a very composed Albanian back three.
Albania controlled affairs and, just before the break, Sadiku struck again with a virtually identical strike to his opener from 25 yards after excellent approach play by Hysaj on the right.
Gaining possession outside the Israeli box, the man who scored his country’s most famous goal in their victory over Romania at last season’s European Championships was allowed all the time he required to turn, compose himself and execute a fine right footed strike past the despairing Goresh to send de Biasi’s charges in buoyant to the dressing room. Jeers greeted the locals as they left the pitch.
After the interval, a brief opening salvo where Albania sat too deep saw the hosts create a few half chances. Zahavi's unlucky scuffed shot that hit the post was a notable moment but one could sense Albania’s menace on the counter.
The excellent Hyka, now operating on the left hand of midfield, had Eli Dasa in trouble and it was only a lack of composure that prevented Sadiku from completing his hat trick before the hour.
Israel made a few changes to little effect. Benayoun replaced the frustrated Sahar and every touch the veteran player made was roundly booed by the Haifa crowd after his comments post the Moldova game.
The final act of consequence was in the 71st minute when the brilliant Ledlan Memushaj finished with aplomb from close range after excellent approach play by Hysaj on the Albanian right hand side: a clinical breakaway goal in every sense of the word.
The game petered out thereafter as Israel tried in vain to make an impression but, in truth, Strakosha was rarely troubled in the Albania goal.
The final whistle was celebrated wildly by the raucous group of Albanians in the corner.
One wonders however where do Israel go from here as they face into games against Spain and Italy in the Autumn, where performances such as tonight will be punished even more severely.
Israel : David Goresh (gk), Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Shir Tzedek, Taleb Twatha Eyal Golasa (tay shecter 53), Almog Cohen, Bibras Natcho, Lior Rafaelov (idan Vered 57), Ben Sahar (yossi benayoun 67), Eran Zahavi.
Albania: Thomas Strakosha (gk), Buram Kukeli (Frederic Vesili, 82), Berat Xhimshiti, Mergim Mavraj, Elseid Hysaj, Naser Aliji, Jahmir Hyka, Ledlan Memushaj, Odiese Roshi (Andi Lila , 53), Armado Sadiku (Sokol Cikalleshi, 70), Amir Abrashi
Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Ledlan Memushaj (Albania).
