Kurti reacts after Kosovo’s draw with Austria

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has reacted after Kosovo’s 1:1 draw with Austria, praising the “Dardanians'” performance and saying the result did not reflect what was seen on the pitch.

Kurti said Kosovo played better than Austria, while the opponent, in his view, had more luck to take a point.

“Kosovo played better than Austria. Austria had more luck than Kosovo. The 1:1 draw did not reflect what we saw,” Kurti wrote.

He singled out the performance of the Kosovo footballers, saying they showed dedication and presented themselves as a united team.

“Our footballers shone as a team with dedication. They seem to be getting better and better, and the potential ahead is greater than the level we have now,” Kurti declared.

The prime minister also stressed the chances Kosovo created during the match, saying the team had at least three other good opportunities to score.

“There were at least three other chances for a goal, the kind that left us breathless,” he wrote.

Kurti said Kosovo should show more attention and confidence in the opponent’s area in the coming matches, especially in the two November fixtures against Israel and Ireland.

“Perhaps the opponent’s penalty box — our finishing, that is — needs a little more attention and confidence ahead of the next two matches in November, with Israel and Ireland,” Kurti wrote.

He closed his reaction with a greeting for Kosovo: “Congratulations, Kosovo!”

Kosovo will return to Pristina on November 14, when it hosts Israel, then travel three days later to Ireland, where it will close the Nations League qualifying cycle, as Telegrafi reports.