Kosovo national football team

Kosovo
Nickname(s) Dardanët (Dardanians)
Association Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Kosovo Albert Bunjaki
Asst coach Sweden Tord Grip
Captain Anel Raskaj
Most caps Imran Bunjaku (4)
Kristian Nushi
Enis Bunjaki
Top scorer Albert Bunjaku (2)
Home stadium Pristina City Stadium
Olympic Stadium Adem Jashari
FIFA code KOS
Elo ranking 117[1]
Highest Elo ranking 100[1] (February 14, 1993[1])
Lowest Elo ranking 122[1] (June–July 2014[1])
First colours
Second colours
First international
Official —
Permitted by FIFA
Kosovo Kosovo 0–0 Haiti 
(Mitrovica, Kosovo; 5 March 2014)
Unofficial
 Albania 3–1 Kosovo Albania
(Tirana, Albania; 14 February 1993)
Biggest win
Official —
Permitted by FIFA
Kosovo Kosovo 1–0 Oman 
(Pristina, Kosovo; 7 September 2014)
Unofficial
United Nations Kosovo 7–1 Monaco 
(Cap d'Ail, France; 22 April 2006)
Biggest defeat
Official —
Permitted by FIFA
Kosovo Kosovo 1–6 Turkey 
(Mitrovica, Kosovo; 21 May 2014)
Unofficial
 Albania 3–1 Kosovo Albania
(Tirana, Albania; 14 February 1993)

The Kosovo national football team represents the Republic of Kosovo[a] in international men's football. Controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo,[2] the governing body for football in Kosovo, they are neither a member of FIFA nor of UEFA. The team is coached by Albert Bunjaki,[3] who took charge in May 2009.

History

The national team was formed following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, and has played a number of friendly matches. Most of these friendly matches were played against football clubs, although a number were played against national teams of other countries. On 6 May 2008, Kosovo applied for FIFA membership. Kosovo's applications was discussed at the FIFA Congress in Zurich, in October 2008 when Kosovo was rejected membership in FIFA and could not play friendly matches as it was deemed it did not comply with article 10 of the FIFA statutes, that only "an independent state recognised by the international community" may be admitted into FIFA.[4][5] FIFA reverted that decision in 22 May 2012, stating that Kosovo may play other countries in international friendlies according to Article 79 of the FIFA Statutes.[6]

In September 2012, Albanian international Lorik Cana, along with Swiss internationals Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Valon Behrami (all of them with Kosovar Albanian origin) wrote a declaration to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, asking him to allow the Kosovo national team to be allowed to play friendly matches. The declaration was also signed by eight other Albanian footballers, hailing from Kosovo: Lorik Cana, Armend Dallku, Mërgim Mavraj, Samir Ujkani, Alban Meha, Burim Kukeli, Etrit Berisha, and Ahmed Januzi.[7] In a meeting held in May 2012, FIFA decided to allow friendly matches to be played, a decision it later revoked following a protest issued by Football Association of Serbia. A new meeting was planned to be held at FIFA on 27 and 28 September in which the Kosovo issue was again planned to be discussed, which was then postponed until December.[8][9] In February 2013, FIFA announced that they would allow Kosovo to play against other nations in non-official competitions providing that they did not display national symbols.[10]

On 13 January 2014, the national team was given permission by FIFA to play against FIFA member associations in international friendlies, with the notable exception of "representative teams of countries of the former Yugoslavia". Even club teams would be allowed to play friendlies after a FIFA Emergency Committee meeting. However, it was stipulated that "clubs and representative teams of the (Football Federation of Kosovo) may not display national symbols (flags, emblems, etc.) or play national anthems." The go-ahead was given after meetings between the Serbian Football Association and Blatter. Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi welcomed the decision and expressed his hope that the country would be a full member of FIFA and UEFA in the near future.[11][12] Following FIFA's ruling, it was announced that Kosovo's first officially sanctioned international match would be against Haiti on 5 March in Mitrovica.

Match record

Kosovo has played a number of unofficial international friendlies. The first one was against Albania in February 14, 1993, lost 1-3. One of the most important international matches was a 1–0 win over Saudi Arabia,[13] played in Ankara, Turkey, on June 15, 2007. It was the first time that Kosovo played a team that has taken part in the FIFA World Cup and the winning goal was scored by Kristian Nushi from the penalty spot on the 84th minute. The biggest win for Kosovo is the 7–1 defeat of Monaco,[14] who hosted the event on April 24, 2006. The team that played against Monaco was led by the former Kosovo national team coach, Muharrem Sahiti, who after the match stated that: "I am very pleased with the team's performance even though we had predicted a stronger opponent. However, I want to emphasize that our players have been fantastic. The fact that we do not play many international matches may have inspired the players to give it their all this time".[15]

In 2005 they participated in the KTFF 50th Anniversary Cup in Northern Cyprus, finishing second out of three. They lost 1–0 against the host and won 4–1 against Sàpmi.

On 5 March 2014, Kosovo played its first international friendly against Haiti. The match ended in a 0–0 draw.[16] Before the match, a selection of Kosovo players posed with guns at a shooting range, causing a stir in Serbia.[17] On the eve of the match, Kosovo supporters burned the flag of Serbia.[18][19] This incident prompted the FSS to request that FIFA revoke Kosovo's right to play international friendlies.[20] In 14 October 2014 the Kosovo, has played another unofficial international test match against the Swiss team FC Wil 1900 at IPG Arena, Wil, and won 1-0 which was scored by Kushtrim Lushtaku at the 77' minute.[21] In 24 March 2015 the Kosovo, has played another unofficial international test match against the German team courses equated with Eintracht Frankfurt with score 0-0 and the date 27 March 2015, lost from Werder Bremen with score 2-0

Tournament Record

Kosovo has so far only participated in one international tournament, the KTFF 50th Anniversary Cup, held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Northern Cyprus Football Federation.[22]

KTFF Cup

Year Round Position Matches Wins Draws* Losses Goals Scored Goals Against
KTFF 50th Anniversary CupGroup Stage Runners Up210142

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

List of matches

The following is a list of matches of Kosovo since 1993.[23]

1993 - 2010

2014

Squad

Current squad

The following 20 players were called up for the friendly matches against Eintracht Frankfurt on 24 March 2015 and SV Werder Bremen on 27 March 2015.[24]
Caps and goals as of 7 September 2014.

# Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Samir Ujkani 5 July 1988 2 0 Italy Palermo
12 GK Julian Bibleka 4 May 1996 2 0 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt
22 GK Altik Muhaxhiri 9 January 1992 0 0 Kosovo Vëllaznimi
7 DF Kristian Nushi 21 July 1982 4 0 Switzerland Winterthur
8 DF Fanol Perdedaj 16 July 1991 3 0 Germany Energie Cottbus
6 DF Avni Pepa 14 November 1988 2 0 Iceland Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja
23 DF Loret Sadiku 28 July 1991 2 0 Turkey Mersin İdmanyurdu
5 DF Ilir Berisha 25 June 1991 1 0 Sweden Gefle IF
3 DF Dren Feka 9 June 1997 0 0 Germany Hamburger SV
21 MF Anel Raskaj (Captain) 19 August 1989 3 0 Norway Sandnes Ulf
19 MF Enis Alushi 22 December 1985 3 0 Germany St. Pauli
30 MF Faton Toski 17 February 1987 3 0 Germany FSV Frankfurt
27 MF Eroll Zejnullahu 19 October 1994 2 0 Germany Union Berlin
11 MF Bersant Celina 9 September 1996 1 0 England Manchester City
20 MF Besar Halimi 12 December 1996 0 0 Germany Stuttgarter Kickers
26 MF Valmir Sulejmani 1 February 1996 0 0 Germany Union Berlin
28 MF Milot Rashica 28 June 1996 0 0 Kosovo Llamkos Kosova
9 FW Erton Fejzullahu 9 June 1988 0 0 China Beijing Guoan
33 FW Bajram Nebihi 5 August 1988 0 0 Germany Union Berlin
77 FW Donis Avdijaj 25 August 1996 0 0 Austria Sturm Graz

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Kushtrim Mushica 1 May 1983 2 0 Kosovo Prishtina v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
GK Ilir Avdyli 14 April 1992 0 0 Kosovo Hajvalia v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
GK Betim Berisha 27 February 1993 0 0 Kosovo Liria v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
DF Leart Paqarada 8 October 1994 1 0 Germany SV Sandhausen v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
DF Shkodran Metaj 5 February 1988 3 0 Albania Flamurtari Vlore v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
DF Lum Rexhepi 3 August 1992 2 0 Norway Lillestrøm SK v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
DF Amir Rrahmani 24 February 1994 2 0 Albania Partizani Tirana v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
DF Debatik Curri 28 December 1984 1 0 Albania Tirana v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
DF Bajram Jashanica 25 September 1990 1 0 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
DF Mehmet Hetemaj 8 December 1987 1 0 Finland SJK v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
MF Enis Bunjaki 17 October 1997 4 0 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
MF Imran Bunjaku 18 October 1992 4 1 Switzerland Grasshopper v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
MF Ardian Gashi 20 June 1981 2 0 Norway Odd v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
MF Liridon Krasniqi 1 January 1992 2 0 Malaysia Kedah FA v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
MF Mentor Zhdrella 10 June 1988 2 0 Kosovo Prishtina v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
MF Yll Hoxha 26 December 1987 2 0 Albania Kukësi v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
MF Alban Bunjaku 20 May 1994 1 0 England Derby County v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
FW Albert Bunjaku 29 November 1983 3 2 Switzerland St. Gallen v.  Senegal, 25 May 2014
FW Flamur Kastrati 14 November 1991 2 0 Norway Strømsgodset v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
FW Kushtrim Lushtaku 8 October 1989 1 0 Albania Kukësi v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
FW Dardan Rexhepi 16 January 1992 3 0 Sweden BK Häcken v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
FW Shpëtim Hasani 10 August 1982 2 0 Poland Górnik Łęczna v.  Oman, 7 September 2014
FW Albion Avdijaj 12 January 1994 2 0 Germany Wolfsburg II v.  Oman, 7 September 2014

Kit History

The Kosovo kit has been mostly red and black before the declaration of independence in 2008 with few changes throughout the years.After the independence kits are mostly blue and white.

Kit suppliers

Kit provider Period
Germany Adidas 1993-2013
Italy Legea 2013-2015
United States Nike 2015–present

Managerial History

This is a chronological list of the managers who have guided Kosovo since 2005.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Kirill. "Eloratings.net". Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ Kosovo national team info by FFK
  3. ↑ coach of Kosovo Kent national football team (AlbaniaSoccer)
  4. ↑ "FIFA's finances solid". FIFA. 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  5. ↑ http://sofiaecho.com/2008/10/25/664220_fifa-rejects-kosovo-football-body-application
  6. ↑ "FIFA ExCo makes reform progress and Audit and Compliance Committee appointment". Media Release. FIFA.com. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  7. ↑ Shaqiri Xhaka Cana & Co deklarate per Kosoven ne FIFA
  8. ↑ "Cana, Šaćiri, Džaka i Behrami pisali Blateru zbog Kosova" (in Serbian). Sportski žurnal. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Vokri: FIFA i UEFA imaju dvostruke standarde" (in Serbian). Sportski žurnal. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA.com. 6 February 2013.
  11. ↑ http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/13/uk-soccer-fifa-kosovo-idUKBREA0C1G620140113
  12. ↑ "FIFA Emergency Committee confirms friendly matches involving clubs and representative teams of Kosovo". FIFA.com. 13 January 2014.
  13. ↑ Kosovo 1:0 Saudi Arabia (Futbolli.com)
  14. ↑ Kosovo defeated Monaco by a score of 7–1 (AlbaniaSoccer)
  15. ↑ AlbaniaSoccer (2006). "Salihi's statement after the Monaco friendly".
  16. ↑ "Kosovo footballers draw with Haiti in Mitrovica debut". BBC. 5 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "Kosovo national team cause a stir by posing with guns before first ever international fixture". Independent. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Zapaljena zastava Srbije" [Serbian flag burned] (in Serbian). B92. 5 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "Navijači Kosova zapalili zastavu Srbije" [Kosovo supporters burn the Serbian flag] (in Bosnian). Oslobođenje. 5 March 2014.
  20. ↑ "FSS traži opoziv FIFA za Kosovo" [The FSS seeks that FIFA recall Kosovo] (in Serbian). B92. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  21. ↑ "Navijači Kosova test in Switzerland" [Kosovo supporters burn the Serbian flag] (in Abanian). Oslobođenje. 14 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "Tr Northern Cyprus - 50 Years Anniversary Cup 2005". Rssf.com. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  23. ↑ Kosovo matches per eloratings.net
  24. ↑ Zyrtare: Bunjaki publikon listën e Kosovës kundër Frankfurtit dhe Werderit