Wikipedia

Albania national under-20 football team

The Albania national under-20 football team, also known as Albania U20(s), is the national under-20 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania.

Albania under-20
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachIlias Haxhiraj
CaptainElmir Lekaj
Most capsAmir Rrahmani (5)
Aldo Teqja
Marvin Turtulli
Klaudio Hyseni
Ilir Kastrati
Enis Gavazaj
Maldin Ymeraj
Valon Ahmedi
Erion Hoxhallari
Arben Muskaj
Top scorerArdit Shehaj (1)
Amir Rrahmani
Marvin Turtulli
Klaudio Hyseni
Ilir Kastrati
Klodian Gino
Home stadiumElbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours

The under-20 squad is often cited as a feeder squad to the under-21 squad. Most of the player picked for this team are U-21 internationals already.

Because there is no under-20 competition at UEFA level, Albania's under-20 side has generally only competed when it has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every 2 years. Qualification for this competition is achieved in view of performance at the preceding summer's UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship.

Albania have never played a game with the U-20 squad and the team was only formed after an invitation to play in 2009 Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Then Albania under-20 participated in the next tournament 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin, Turkey.

In 2017 the Albanian Football Association decided to "reborn" the under-20 side by assigning a Friendly match against Georgia under-20 side on 14 November 2017 at David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.[1]

History edit

2009 Mediterranean Games edit

Main article: Football at the 2009 Mediterranean Games

Group D edit

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Spain 2 1 1 0 5 2 +3 4
  Tunisia 2 1 1 0 4 3 +1 4
  Albania 2 0 0 2 1 5 -4 0
27 June 2009 2009 Mediterranean Games Albania   1 – 2   Tunisia Pescara, Italy
17:00 CET Shehaj   23' Report Ben Messaoud   27'
Ayari   35'		 Stadium: Stadio Valle Anzuca, Francavilla al Mare
Referee: Fırat Aydınus (Turkey)
29 June 2009 2009 Mediterranean Games Spain   3 – 0   Albania Pescara, Italy
17:00 CET Kike   11'
Aarón   12'
Botía   77'		 Report Stadium: Stadio Valle Anzuca, Francavilla al Mare
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro)

Squad edit

The following players were called up and participated in the 2009 Mediterranean Games football tournament, which began on 25 June in Pescara, Italy.[2]

COACH: Artan Bushati

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Shpëtim Moçka (1989-10-20)20 October 1989 (aged 19) 2 0   Flamurtari Vlorë
12 1GK Ibrahim Bejte (1989-09-15)15 September 1989 (aged 19) 0 0   Lushnja
4 2DF Klodian Samina (1989-01-19)19 January 1989 (aged 20) 2 0   Belasitsa Petrich
2 2DF Indrit Hithi (1990-02-05)5 February 1990 (aged 19) 2 0   Partizani Tirana
3 2DF Ditmar Bicaj (1989-02-26)26 February 1989 (aged 20) 1 0   Belasitsa Petrich
13 2DF Renato Malota (Captain) (1989-06-24)24 June 1989 (aged 20) 2 0   Partizani Tirana
11 2DF Arsen Sykaj (1990-04-11)11 April 1990 (aged 19) 1 0   Vllaznia Shkodër
7 3MF Sokol Cikalleshi (1990-07-27)27 July 1990 (aged 18) 2 0   Besa Kavajë
5 3MF Ganiol Kaçuli (1989-09-22)22 September 1989 (aged 19) 2 0   Elbasani
18 3MF Orgest Gava (1990-03-29)29 March 1990 (aged 19) 2 0   Elbasani
14 3MF Erjon Vuçaj (1990-12-25)25 December 1990 (aged 18) 2 0   Vllaznia Shkodër
8 3MF Sabien Lilaj (1989-02-10)10 February 1989 (aged 20) 2 0   Skënderbeu Korçë
6 3MF Elham Galica (1989-01-30)30 January 1989 (aged 20) 0 0   Flamurtari Vlorë
16 3MF Orjan Xhemalaj (1989-06-07)7 June 1989 (aged 20) 0 0   Teuta Durrës
17 4FW Bekim Balaj (1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (aged 18) 0 0   Vllaznia Shkodër
10 4FW Vilfor Hysa (1989-09-09)9 September 1989 (aged 19) 2 0   Teuta Durrës
9 4FW Ardit Shehaj (1990-09-23)23 September 1990 (aged 18) 2 1   Flamurtari Vlorë
15 4FW Alban Dashi (1989-09-25)25 September 1989 (aged 19) 2 0   Partizani Tirana

2013 Mediterranean Games edit

Main article: Football at the 2013 Mediterranean Games – Men's tournament

Preliminary round - Group A edit

Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
  Morocco 3 3 0 0 7 2 +5 9
  Turkey 3 2 0 1 8 4 +4 6
  Albania 3 0 1 2 3 6 −3 1
  Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 0 1 2 4 10 −6 1
Source: [citation needed]
19 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Turkey   2–0   Albania Mersin, Turkey
21:45 CET Aydın   10'
Sazdağı   86'		 Report Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Italy)
21 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Albania   2–2   Bosnia and Herzegovina Mersin, Turkey
18:00 CET Turtulli   61'
Rrahmani   73'		 Report Bajić   44'   52' Stadium: Tarsus Şehir Stadı, Tarsus
Referee: Baris Simsek (Turkey)
23 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Morocco   2–1   Albania Mersin, Turkey
21:45 CET Khaloua   33' (pen.)
El Hassouni   58'		 Report Gino   47' Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium
Referee: Alain Bieri (Switzerland)

Classification stage - 5–8 matches edit

25 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Albania   1–2 (a.e.t.)   North Macedonia Mersin, Turkey
21:00 CET Kastrati   85' (pen.) Report Kostovski   50'
Imeri   6' (extra time)		 Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium
Referee: Nikola Popov (Bulgaria)

Classification stage - 7th place match edit

26 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Albania   1–3   Italy Mersin, Turkey
18:00 CET Hyseni   82' Report Canotto   20'
Bollino   47'
Gomez   54' (pen.)		 Stadium: Tarsus Şehir Stadı, Tarsus
Referee: Khalid Ennouni (Morocco)

Players edit

Current squad edit

  • The following players were called up for the friendly match.
  • Match date: 12 June 2021
  • Opposition:   Montenegro
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Leonard Kacaj (2003-03-19) 19 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Vllaznia Pozheran
12 1GK Simon Simoni (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 19) 1 0   Shënkolli
23 1GK Mario Mara (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Erzeni
2 2DF Usni Ismaili (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0
3 2DF Omar Musaj (2002-04-15) 15 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Tirana
4 2DF Kesli Shani (2002-12-16) 16 December 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Lokomotiva Zagreb
5 2DF Mikel Nuhaj (2002-04-01) 1 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Roda JC
6 2DF Petro Memushi (2002-01-15) 15 January 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Arezzo
11 2DF Geralb Smajli (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Vllaznia Pozheran
13 2DF Reild Kurti (2002-10-17) 17 October 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Korabi Debar
14 2DF Ergi Goga (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Akademia e Futbollit
21 2DF Klaudio Bardhi (2002-04-08) 8 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Akademia e Futbollit
22 2DF Arsen Elbasani (2002-02-28) 28 February 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Vllaznia Pozheran
7 3MF Flamur Ruçi (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Bylis
9 3MF Rubin Zijaj (2002-03-11) 11 March 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Apolonia Fier
10 3MF Xheron Osma (2003-08-20) 20 August 2003 (age 20) 1 0   Kukësi
15 3MF Albnor Kaba (2002-11-24) 24 November 2002 (age 21) 1 0   Shkëndija
8 4FW Aldi Gjumsi (2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 22) 1 0   Tirana

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have been called up for Albania U20 squad within the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Mario Dajsinani (1998-12-23) 23 December 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Erzeni Shijak v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Angelo Tafa (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 (age 23) 1 0   AEK Athens v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Gentian Selmani (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Laçi v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
DF Irlian Ceka (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0   Sambenedettese v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Amer Duka (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Laçi v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Ded Bushi (1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Laçi v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Agim Zeka (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Varzim v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Emir Sahiti (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Unattached v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Agon Mucolli (1998-09-26) 26 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Vejle Boldklub v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Marco Hoxha (1998-09-22) 22 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0   ArzignanoChiampo v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Sherif Kallaku (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Laçi v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
MF Aleksandro Zaimaj (1998-01-19) 19 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0   PAE Kerkyra v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
FW Valdrin Mustafa (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0   FC Kaiserslautern v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Rubin Hebaj (1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Domžale v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Armend Aslani (1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Akademisk Boldklub v.   Georgia, 14 November 2017
Notes
  • INJ Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET Retired from international football
  • SUS Suspended from national team

Coaching staff edit

Current coaching staff:[3]

Position Name
Head coach   Ilir Biturku
Assistant coach   Arjan Bellaj
Goalkeeping coach   Alfred Osmani
Athletic coach   Iris Selimi
Team doctor   Erald Derveni
Physiotherapists   Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapists   Edison Koçi
Base materials   Roland Rarani

Tournament history edit

FIFA U-20 World Cup edit

Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
  1977 did not qualify
  1979
  1981
  1983
  1985
  1987
  1989
  1991
  1993
  1995
  1997
  1999
  2001
  2003
  2005
  2007
  2009
  2011[4]
  2013
  2015
  2017
  2019
  2021 Cancelled
  2023 did not qualify
Total[5] 0/23 0 0 0 0 0 0

Mediterranean Games - Football edit

Football at the Mediterranean Games record
Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
  2009 Group stage 10th 2 0 0 2 1 5
  2013 Group stage 8th 5 0 1 4 5 11
Total 0/2 Best: 8th 7 0 1 6 6 16

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "NDESHJET E NËNTORIT PËR U-21 DHE U-20" (in Albanian). FSHF. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017. Sektori i Ekipeve kombëtare në FSHF ka tashmë zyrtare edhe daten për ndeshjen miqësore të skuadrës kombëtare U-20, që përfshin lojtarë të datëlindjes U-20, përkatësisht me Gjeorgjinë.
  2. ^ Peskara 2009, Shqipëria zbardh listën e futbollistëve - 2009-06-17 Gazeta Start
  3. ^ Kombëtarja U-21 (Albania national under-21 team) FSHF.org
  4. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup - Previous Tournaments". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  5. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009.

External links edit

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