The age national teams start the season with a win, the success from the friendlies hope for the future

National age teams are trying to succeed in international competitions, but so far they have not excelled. But there are quality elements and they are a guarantee for the great National Team. Meanwhile, Albania U-21 won 2-1 in the friendly played in Turkey. The Reds of Alban Bush triumphed over their peers from Azerbaijan, while they will also play against Poland (March 27). Steven Shpendi unlocked the challenge at the end of the first half. It was the 43rd minute when the talented 19-year-old who plays with Cezena in Serie C, scored a beautiful goal. Azerbaijan equalized the match as soon as the second half started (46') thanks to Kamalov's goal, but our team quickly regained the lead. Adrion Pajaziti, who is active with Haugesund in Norway, where he is on loan from Fulham, used a ball coming from the right wing. The 20-year-old struck correctly and started the party with his teammates. Alban Bushi started the meeting with this formation: Simoni, Mjaki, Buxhelaj, Gjini, Mitaj, Ismaili, Kurtulan, Berisha, Pajaziti, Shpendi, Toçi. In four days, the next friendly against Poland will be played. Albania U-21 is part of group E in the Euro U-21 qualifiers, along with Romania, Finland, Switzerland and Montenegro.

Cungu's U-19 shows potential for the future

The Albanian U-19 national team triumphed with a score of 2-0 against Malta, in the first friendly match scheduled for this month against the Maltese representative. In the match held in Malta, the red boys led by coach Armando Cungu made a very good appearance, which is also shown by the final result of this first friendly meeting. The winning goals were scored by Gent Elezaj and Ardit Nuredini, while all the players gathered for these two matches were activated in this challenge. Albania started the match with this formation: Tomas Kiri (GK), Lindon Ajeti, Elton Fikaj, Ervin Bashi, Ardit Nuredini, Arlind Kurti (C), Erald Krasniqi, Gent Elezaj, Smail Kadrijaj, Lorent Talla and Skerdi Xixho. The match starts balanced by both teams, as the red and blacks are more demanding and circulate the ball well. The first chance for the boys coached by Armando Cungu was exactly in the 12th minute, with Gent Elezaj, who beautifully receives a ball inside the opposition area, turns and shoots hard, with the Maltese player deflecting the ball into the net. The Reds try and create a few more chances in this first half, but everything ends with the result 1-0. In the second half of the game, coach Cungu decides to make a total of 7 substitutions in his team, testing all the players gathered for these friendlies. The boys, led by Armando Cungu, create several clear chances to score, but do not finish. But, in the 81st minute, Ardit Nuredini finds the best opportunity and doubles the numbers for Albania U-19, after a beautiful shot from outside the area, bringing the numbers to 2-0, which is also the final result of the match. . The second friendly against Malta is scheduled to be played 3 days later, on March 26 at 11:00. The friendlies against Malta are seen as very important by the U-19 national team staff, to consolidate the squad and test the new players coming into the U-19 national team.