National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Mehat Kovaçi started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 6th minute Marko Ruskov 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. After a defensive mix-up in Albania's zone, Marko Ruskov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marjus Laçka came out of the goal and Marko Ruskov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Marjus Laçka showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Naycho Dotzov in the 14th minute of the match. Bulgaria were awarded a corner in the 15th minute after Albania's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Lachezar Kavaldzhiev took the corner. In the 20th match minute, Bulgaria was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lachezar Kavaldzhiev to maneuver through the defense. Hristofor Borchev made an important save on a dangerous shot by Mehat Kovaçi in the 26th minute. Marko Ruskov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marjus Laçka read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 28th minute of play. In the 31st minute, Marko Ruskov made a precise shot to the right of Marjus Laçka. Albania's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. 34 minutes into the match, Bulgaria's goalkeeper Hristofor Borchev had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Mehat Kovaçi. Marjus Laçka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marko Ruskov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Marko Ruskov in the 38th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marjus Laçka saved Albania from getting behind. Hristofor Borchev made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aulin Janku in the 41st minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Marko Ruskov in the 43rd minute of play forced Albania's goalkeeper Marjus Laçka to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Hristofor Borchev made a fantastic save in the 46th minute, when Mehat Kovaçi sent off a good shot on target.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Marko Ruskov was the one to do the kick off. After having played for 51 minutes, Naycho Dotzov managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Bulgaria's supporters crossed their fingers, but Naycho Dotzov was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Naycho Dotzov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 64 minutes into the match, Bulgaria's goal looked a bit too open when Mehat Kovaçi came free, but Hristofor Borchev reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Hristofor Borchev made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mehat Kovaçi in the 66th minute of play. Deyan Petrinski kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. Albania made a substitution. Fatbardh Malko replaced Nertil Ramos. Bulgaria's Ignat Nozharov was substituted for Lachezar Kavaldzhiev. Albania's Ilmi Duka was substituted for Mehat Kovaçi. In the 71st minute, Deyan Petrinski hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Marko Ruskov struck a weak shot in the 74th minute. Marjus Laçka didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bulgaria. After 83 minutes of play, Albania's Aulin Janku made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Hristofor Borchev was left in no man's land by his defense there! If Martin Petkov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Marjus Laçka made an important save on a dangerous shot by Martin Petkov in the 88th minute. In the 90th minute of the game Përparim Bajraktari made a throw-in which Ilmi Duka played forward. Marjus Laçka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Naycho Dotzov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.