Albania national under-20 football team

Albania under-20
Nickname(s) Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Association Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Alban Bushi
Captain Shaqir Tafa
Most caps Amir Rrahmani (5)
Aldo Teqja
Marvin Turtulli
Klaudio Hyseni
Ilir Kastrati
Enis Gavazaj
Maldin Ymeraj
Valon Ahmedi
Erion Hoxhallari
Arben Muskaj
Top scorer Ardit Shehaj (1)
Amir Rrahmani
Marvin Turtulli
Klaudio Hyseni
Ilir Kastrati
Klodian Gino
Home stadium Elbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA code ALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours

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.

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

2009 Mediterranean Games

Group D

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Spain 211052+34
 Tunisia 211043+14
 Albania 200215-40

Squad

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 Albania Flamurtari Vlorë
12 1GK Ibrahim Bejte (1989-09-15)15 September 1989 (aged 19) 0 0 Albania Lushnja

4 2DF Klodian Samina (1989-01-19)19 January 1989 (aged 20) 2 0 Bulgaria Belasitsa Petrich
2 2DF Indrit Hithi (1990-02-05)5 February 1990 (aged 19) 2 0 Albania Partizani Tirana
3 2DF Ditmar Bicaj (1989-02-26)26 February 1989 (aged 20) 1 0 Bulgaria Belasitsa Petrich
13 2DF Renato Malota (Captain) (1989-06-24)24 June 1989 (aged 20) 2 0 Albania Partizani Tirana
11 2DF Arsen Sykaj (1990-04-11)11 April 1990 (aged 19) 1 0 Albania Vllaznia Shkodër

7 3MF Sokol Cikalleshi (1990-07-27)27 July 1990 (aged 18) 2 0 Albania Besa Kavajë
5 3MF Ganiol Kaçuli (1989-09-22)22 September 1989 (aged 19) 2 0 Albania Elbasani
18 3MF Orgest Gava (1990-03-29)29 March 1990 (aged 19) 2 0 Albania Elbasani
14 3MF Erjon Vuçaj (1990-12-25)25 December 1990 (aged 18) 2 0 Albania Vllaznia Shkodër
8 3MF Sabien Lilaj (1989-02-10)10 February 1989 (aged 20) 2 0 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë
6 3MF Elham Galica (1989-01-30)30 January 1989 (aged 20) 0 0 Albania Flamurtari Vlorë
16 3MF Orjan Xhemalaj (1989-06-07)7 June 1989 (aged 20) 0 0 Albania Teuta Durrës

17 4FW Bekim Balaj (1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (aged 18) 0 0 Albania Vllaznia Shkodër
10 4FW Vilfor Hysa (1989-09-09)9 September 1989 (aged 19) 2 0 Albania Teuta Durrës
9 4FW Ardit Shehaj (1990-09-23)23 September 1990 (aged 18) 2 1 Albania Flamurtari Vlorë
15 4FW Alban Dashi (1989-09-25)25 September 1989 (aged 19) 2 0 Albania Partizani Tirana

2013 Mediterranean Games

Preliminary round - Group A

Nation PLD W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Morocco 330072+59
 Turkey 320184+46
 Albania 301236–31
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3012410–61

Classification stage - 5–8 matches

Classification stage - 7th place match

Squad

COACH: Albania Skënder Gega

The following players were called up and participated in the 2013 Mediterranean Games football tournament, which began on 19 June in Mersin, Turkey.[3]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Aldo Teqja (Captain) (1995-05-04) 4 May 1995 5 0 Cyprus Anorthosis Famagusta
12 1GK Marsel Çaka (1995-03-31) 31 March 1995 1 0 Albania Tirana
1GK Thomas Strakosha (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 - - Italy Lazio

4 2DF Amir Rrahmani (1994-02-24) 24 February 1994 5 1 Albania Partizani Tirana
5 2DF Marvin Turtulli (1994-10-17) 17 October 1994 5 1 Albania Dinamo Tirana
3 2DF Erion Hoxhallari (1995-10-15) 15 October 1995 5 0 Albania Tirana
2 2DF Arben Muskaj (1994-06-27) 27 June 1994 5 0 Greece PAS Giannina
13 2DF Kristi Marku (1995-04-13) 13 April 1995 2 0 Albania Teuta Durrës
14 2DF Rexhep Memini (1994-04-10) 10 April 1994 2 0 Albania Teuta Durrës
15 2DF Melsen Shkreta (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 2 0 Albania Dinamo Tirana
2DF Amir Bilali (1994-04-15) 15 April 1994 - - Italy Lazio

16 3MF Klaudio Hyseni (1994-07-15) 15 July 1994 5 1 Albania Teuta Durrës
17 3MF Ilir Kastrati (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 5 1 Greece Panathinaikos
7 3MF Enis Gavazaj (1995-03-21) 21 March 1995 5 0 Belgium Gent
10 3MF Maldin Ymeraj (1995-03-06) 6 March 1995 5 0 Greece Panathinaikos
6 3MF Ermir Rezi (1994-05-12) 12 May 1994 4 0 Albania Teuta Durrës
8 3MF Klodian Gino (1994-02-13) 13 February 1994 3 1 Greece Olympiacos
3MF Liridon Latifi (1994-02-06) 6 February 1994 - - Kosovo Prishtina

18 4FW Valon Ahmedi (1994-10-07) 7 October 1994 5 0 Italy Südtirol
11 4FW Arlind Ferhati (1994-01-20) 20 January 1994 3 0 Albania Dinamo Tirana
9 4FW Mateus Shkreta (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 2 0 Czech Republic Teplice

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

2017

2018

Players

Current Squad

COACH: Albania Alban Bushi

The following players were called up for the double friendly match against Azerbaijan on 21 & 26 January 2018.[4]

Caps and goals as of 14 November 2017

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Klevis Hasanbelli (1997-06-30) 30 June 1997 0 0 Albania Kukësi
1GK Jorgo Muça (1998-02-18) 18 February 1998 0 0 Greece PAOK

2DF Shaqir Tafa (Captain) (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 1 0 Italy Monopoli
2DF Leonardo Maloku (1998-05-18) 18 May 1998 1 0 Italy Santarcangelo
2DF Kristian Bushaj (1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 1 0 Greece Panionios
2DF Rei Nuriu (1998-10-16) 16 October 1998 1 0 Albania Dinamo Tirana
2DF David Domgjoni (1997-05-21) 21 May 1997 0 0 Kosovo Liria Prizren
2DF Ymer Shaba (1998-07-21) 21 July 1998 0 0 Albania Dinamo Tirana
2DF Arbnor Mucolli (1999-09-15) 15 September 1999 0 0 Denmark Vejle Boldklub

3MF Arber Basha (1998-01-13) 13 January 1998 1 0 Albania Kamza
3MF Nazmi Gripshi (1997-07-05) 5 July 1997 0 0 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë
3MF Fabio Sakaj (1998-02-02) 2 February 1998 0 0 Italy Racing Fondi
3MF Anxhelo Mumajesi (1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 0 0 Albania Kamza
3MF Xhonatan Lajthia (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 0 0 Albania Teuta Durrës
3MF Glejdis Ndraxhi (1998-05-08) 8 May 1998 0 0 Germany SV Arminia Hannover
3MF Dionis Çikani (1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 0 0 Spain Torre Levante
3MF Brajan Tola (1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 0 0 Albania Korabi Peshkopi
3MF Belajdi Pusi (1998-01-23) 23 January 1998 0 0 Albania Vllaznia Shkodër
3MF Klevis Përkeqi (1998-03-06) 6 March 1998 0 0 Albania Partizani Tirana
3MF Kevin Cela (1998-05-20) 20 May 1998 0 0 Greece Xanthi
3MF Erjon Dragoj (1999-09-06) 6 September 1999 0 0 Albania Laçi

3MF Erisildo Smaçi (1998-07-15) 15 July 1998 0 0 Albania Laçi

Recent call-ups

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 1 0 Albania Erzeni Shijak v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Angelo Tafa (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 1 0 Greece AEK Athens v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Gentian Selmani (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 0 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE

DF Irlian Ceka (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 1 0 Italy Sambenedettese v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Amer Duka (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 1 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Ded Bushi (1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 1 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017

MF Agim Zeka (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 1 0 Portugal Varzim v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Emir Sahiti (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 1 0 Unattached v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Agon Mucolli (1998-09-26) 26 September 1998 1 0 Denmark Vejle Boldklub v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Marco Hoxha (1998-09-22) 22 September 1998 1 0 Italy ArzignanoChiampo v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Marlon Marishta (2000-06-11) 11 June 2000 1 0 Republic of Ireland Home Farm v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Sherif Kallaku (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 0 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
MF Aleksandro Zaimaj (1998-01-19) 19 January 1998 0 0 Greece PAE Kerkyra v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE

FW Valdrin Mustafa (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 1 0 Germany FC Kaiserslautern v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Rubin Hebaj (1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 1 0 Slovenia Domžale v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Armend Aslani (1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 1 0 Denmark 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

Current coaching staff:[5]

Position Name
Head CoachAlbania Alban Bushi
Assistant CoachAlbania Arjan Bellaj
Goalkeeping CoachAlbania Alfred Osmani
Athletic CoachAlbania Iris Selimi
Team DoctorAlbania Erald Derveni
PhysiotherapistsAlbania Gledi Rexha
PhysiotherapistsAlbania Edison Koçi
Base materialsAlbania Roland Rarani

Tournament history

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
Tunisia 1977Did not qualify
Japan 1979
Australia 1981
Mexico 1983
Soviet Union 1985
Chile 1987
Saudi Arabia 1989
Portugal 1991
Australia 1993
Qatar 1995
Malaysia 1997
Nigeria 1999
Argentina 2001
United Arab Emirates 2003
Netherlands 2005
Canada 2007
Egypt 2009
Colombia 2011[6]
Turkey 2013
New Zealand 2015
South Korea 2017
Poland 2019
Total[7]0/22000000

Mediterranean Games - Football

Football at the Mediterranean Games record
Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
Italy 2009Group stage10th200215
Turkey 2013Group stage8th5014511
Total0/2Best: 8th7016616

See also

References

  1. "NDESHJET E NËNTORIT PËR U-21 DHE U-20" (in Albanian). FSHF. 24 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. Lojërat Mesdhetare: Shqipëria merr pjesë me 75 sportistë (Lista e plotë) Archived 2016-05-13 at the Wayback Machine. aSport.al
  4. "KOMBËTARJA U-20, DY NDESHJE MIQËSORE ME AZERBAJXHANIN, TRAJNERI ALBAN BUSHI SHPALL LISTËN!" [U-20 NATIONAL TEAM, TWO FRIENDLIES WITH AZERBAIJAN, COACH ALBAN BUSHI ANNOUNCES THE LIST!] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  5. Kombëtarja U-21 (Albania national under-21 team) FSHF.org
  6. "FIFA U-20 World Cup - Previous Tournaments". FIFA.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  7. "FIFA U-20 World Cup". FIFA.com.
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