National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Mehat Kovaçi made the kick off which started today's match. After some fancy dribbling in the 5th minute, Marko Livaja managed to get in a good position for a shot. Croatia's supporters rose to their feet, but Marko Livaja 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. In the 14th minute Roy Makaay shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marjus Laçka saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Croatia's Roy Makaay in the 16th minute got a chance for a shot 16th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Albania's goalie prevented a goal. When the match had gone on for 16 minutes, Roy Makaay put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Marjus Laçka. Nebojša Jerić made an important save on a dangerous shot by Aulin Janku in the 22nd minute. In the 22nd minute, Roy Makaay ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Marjus Laçka was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-2. After some fancy dribbling in the 25th minute, Roy Makaay managed to get in a good position for a shot. Croatia's supporters rose to their feet, but Roy Makaay 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. 27 minutes into the match, Croatia's goalkeeper Nebojša Jerić had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ilmi Duka. When the match had gone on for 28 minutes, Aulin Janku took a quick shot and it went in 1-2 without a chance for Nebojša Jerić to make any attempt to save it. Nebojša Jerić showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mehat Kovaçi in the 32nd minute of the match. After 34 minutes of play, Albania's Ilmi Duka made it 2-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Nebojša Jerić was left in no man's land by his defense there! Marjus Laçka showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Roy Makaay in the 41st minute of the match. Nebojša Jerić made a fantastic save in the 44th minute, when Aulin Janku sent off a good shot on target. Nikola Haramina hit a great freekick 47 minutes into the match. In the 49th minute, Nikola Haramina hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 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.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Roy Makaay to strike the kick off in the second half. Marjus Laçka made an important save on a dangerous shot by Roy Makaay in the 54th minute. 57 minutes into the match, Croatia's goal looked a bit too open when Aulin Janku came free, but Nebojša Jerić reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Croatia's Nebojša Jerić played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Aulin Janku in the 57th minute of play. Marjus Laçka showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nikola Vlašić, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. Marjus Laçka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Roy Makaay, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marjus Laçka showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Roy Makaay, who was totally free with the ball in the 65th minute. The audience was convinced that Roy Makaay's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Marjus Laçka was relentless in the 66th minute of the game. The Croatia fans' excitement grew in the 66th match minute when Croatia's Roy Makaay looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 2-3 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Marjus Laçka made a fantastic save in the 69th minute, when Roy Makaay sent off a good shot on target. Marjus Laçka had great luck who in the 70thth minute grab hold of the ball when Roy Makaay from a short distance tried to put the ball inside the right post. Nebojša Jerić took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aulin Janku, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Albania's Mitat Shaho was substituted for Fisnik Qiraxhi. In the 77th minute, Iljaz Përbindeshi hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a defensive mix-up in Croatia's zone, Aulin Janku stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nebojša Jerić came out of the goal and Aulin Janku tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 81st minute, Ilmi Duka made a precise shot to the right of Nebojša Jerić. Croatia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-3. With 92 minutes on the clock, Iljaz Përbindeshi commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. After 91 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Albania! Marjus Laçka had in the 93rdth minute some difficulties stopping John Terry's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. John Terry took the ball and in the 93 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Marjus Laçka. Marjus Laçka dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-4. After 96 played minutes Croatia got a freekick which was hit by Valter Malekin. In the 97th minute, Ilmi Duka left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Albania fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 4-4. Neither set of supporters seemed pleased with the draw, but both teams had played equally well today.