The U-21 national team draws with Ukraine, Dodaj and Maksuti the protagonists of the match

Albania U21 drew 2-2 in the friendly match with Ukraine U21, in the match played at the “Szentmarjay Tibor Városi Stadion” in Eger, Hungary. The red-and-black team played a very positive match, dominating for most of the encounter.

Coach Endri Zjarri started the match with this line-up: Alain Taho, Aurel Marku, Ervin Bashi, Numan Ajeti, Arlind Kurti, Etnik Brruti, Mattia Huqi, Luan Simnica, Omer Bajraktari, Ermir Rashica and Kevin Dodaj. In the second half, Samuel Sina, Krist Gecaj, Aidon Shehu, Gabriel Kulla, Ergis Arifi, Erald Maksuti, Fabjan Përndreca and Benjami Dibrani were also brought on.

The match started well for the red-and-blacks, who had several good scoring chances. In the 18th minute, Albania found the way to the net through Kevin Dodaj. The first half was dominated by Zjarri’s team, which could have scored even more.

In the second half, precisely in the 55th minute, Ukraine won a penalty, which Oleksii Talpa converted into a goal. Just two minutes later, Dmytro Bohdanov overturned the result, giving Ukraine the lead.

But Albania did not give up and, after several chances in a row, in the 90th minute Erald Maksuti converted a cross from a corner into a goal, restoring the balance. The red-and-blacks could have scored in stoppage time through Kulla as well, but in the end everything closed in a 2-2 draw.

A good test for Albania U21, which continues its work for the finals of the U21 European Championship, which will be held next year in our country.