2016 Albanian Cup Final

The 2016 Albanian Cup Final was a football match played on 22 May 2016 to decide the winner of the 2015–16 Albanian Cup, the 64th edition of Albania's primary football cup.

2016 Albanian Cup Final
The Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tiranë were host the final
Event2015–16 Albanian Cup
Kukësi won 5–3 on penalties
Date22 May 2016 (2016-05-22)
VenueQemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana
Man of the MatchJean Carioca (Kukësi)
Referee Marco Guida

It was won by the first time by Kukësi 5–3 on penalties after the regular and extra time finished in a 1–1.[1] Kukësi thus won its first Albanian Cup title, missing the opportunity last season where it was defeated by Laçi itself. It was the third consecutive cup final for Kukësi while Laçi had the opportunity to win the title for the third time in the last four editions. For the first time in the history of Albanian football, a cup final match was judged by foreign referees.[2]

As Kukësi won both the Albanian Cup and Skënderbeu Korçë won the 2015–16 Albanian Superliga, the 2016 Albanian Supercup will be between Skënderbeu Korçë and Kukësi.

Background

Laçi had previously played in 2 Albanian Cup finals, winning both respectively against Bylis Ballsh in 2013 and Kukësi in 2015. They were the reigning champions, having defeated Kukësi 2–1 in the previous year's final at their Qemal Stafa Stadium.[3]

Kukësi had been to two, losing both, respectively in 2014 to Flamurtari Vlorë and in 2015 to Laçi. The 2016 final was the second between the two sides.[3]

It will be the 5th consecutive final at the Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tiranë, home of Partizani Tirana.[3]

Route to the final

Laçi Round Kukësi
Opponent Result Legs Opponent Result Legs
Besa Kavajë 4–2 3–1 away; 1–1 home First round Naftëtari Kuçovë 5–4 1–3 away; 4–1 home
Bylis Ballsh 3–2 0–0 away; 3–2 home Second round Iliria Fushë-Krujë 8–1 5–0 away; 3–1 home
Partizani Tirana 2–1 0–1 away; 2–0 home Quarterfinals Teuta Durrës 2–1 0–1 away; 2–0 home
Skënderbeu Korçë 2–2a 1–0 home; 1–2 away Semifinals Flamurtari Vlorë 4–0 2–0 away; 2–0 home

Laçi

James Adeniyi was the main instrument in Laçi's run to the final, scoring five goals in three appearances, including a hat-trick in a 3–2 win over Bylis Ballsh.

Laçi, of Albanian Superliga, entered the tournament in the first round, against Besa Kavajë of Albanian First Division. The first leg in Besa Stadium, on 16 September 2015, ended in a 3–1 convincing win for Laçi, with manager Armando Cungu who used his best eleven to secure the qualify fast.[4] In the returning leg two week later, Laçi drew 1–1 by using players which were not used too much in the league. Dardan Vuthaj scored the only goal of his team in the 82nd minute.[5]

In the second round, Laçi played their fellow relegation league strugglers Bylis Ballsh. They played the first leg on 21 October which ended in a goalless draw.[6] In the returning leg, however, Laçi won 3–2 thanks to a James Adeniyi hat-trick; Stipe Buljan also scored an own goal in the first half.[7]

Laçi met Partizani Tirana in the quarter-finals, a repeat of the last year's quarter-final. On 23 January at Laçi Stadium, they won 2–0 with second-half strikes of James Adeniyi.[8] In the returning leg on 17 February, the "Red Bulls" won, 1–0, at home thanks to the goal of Xhevahir Sukaj, but Laçi managed to progress into the semi-final for the second consecutive season.[9]

In the semi-finals, Laçi met Skënderbeu Korçë, and won, 1–0, in the home leg on 6 April; Marko Ćetković scored the lone goal in the second half.[10] In the returning leg two weeks later, Skënderbeu won 2–1 but thanks to Ćetković's temporary equalizer goal, Laçi were able to secure a spot in the final thanks to the away goal rule.[11]

Kukësi

Kukësi, also in Albanian Superliga, entered at the same stage against a third-tier opponent, Naftëtari Kuçovë. In the first leg in Bashkim Sulejmani Stadium on 16 September 2015, they suffered a shock defeat 3–1 as the own goal of Gucaj was bounced by the strikes of Kopaçi and Behari;[12] in the returning leg two weeks later at the Zeqir Ymeri Stadium, Kukësi overturned the first-leg results and won 4–1 after extra time; Fjoart Jonuzi scored two decisive goals, including one in the 118th minute of the match.[13]

In the second round, Kukësi met another low-league side, Iliria Fushë-Krujë. In the first leg away on 21 October, Kukësi secured a spot to the quarter-final by scoring five times in the Iliria Fushë-Krujë net.[14] In the returning leg of Albanian Cup second round, the team overwhelmed 3–0 Iliria Fushë-Krujë at home, securing an 8–1 aggregate victory and progression to the quarter-finals. Two goals from Mateus Lima and one strike from Bledar Musolli secured the victory.[15]

In the quarter-finals, Kukësi faced Teuta Durrës. On 23 January, Kukësi was defeated 1–0 at away leg; Ardit Hila scored the lone goal in the 20th minute.[16] In the returning leg at home, Kukësi won 2–0 thanks to the goals from Ylli Shameti and Renato Malota, the centre-backs of the team.[17]

Kukësi were tasked with out of form Flamurtari Vlorë in the semi-finals. In the first leg away on 6 April, Edon Hasani scored an early goal in the 11th minute which was followed by Shameti's header nine minutes later, which almost had qualified Kukësi in the final.[18] On 20 April, in the returning leg of Albanian Cup, Kukësi recorded another 2–0 win against Flamurtari, securing a 4–0 aggregate victory and progression in the final for the second consecutive season.[19]

Pre-match

Before the final, both teams required foreign referees for the match.[2] That was more specifically the request of Kukësi rather than Laçi.[20]

Match

Laçi
Kukësi
GK1 Gentian Selmani
RB2 Ademir
CB4 Stipe Buljan
CB5 Arjan Sheta 99'
LB3 Emiliano Çela 5' 120'
RM21 Olsi Gocaj 10'
CM20 Argjend Mustafa 30'
CM28 Emiljano Veliaj (c) 74'
LM11 Taulant Sefgjinaj 68'
CF10 Marko Ćetković
CF19 Valdan Nimani 110'
Substitutes:
GK31 Miroslav Vujadinović
MF7 Albi Dosti 108' 74'
FW9 Aldo Mitraj 89' 68'
DF16 Eglentin Gjoni
FW17 Enco Malindi
MF22 Alfred Zefi 44'
FW33 Drilon Musaj
Head Coach:
Ramadan Ndreu
GK31 Enea Koliqi
RB13 Rrahman Hallaçi (c)
CB4 Ylli Shameti
CB24 Renato Malota 37'
LB7 Gledi Mici 52'
RM10 Jean Carioca 92'
CM17 Ansi Nika 73'
CM16 Edon Hasani 46'
LM23 Besar Musolli
CF21 Matija Dvorneković
CF8 Izair Emini 24'
Substitutes:
GK12 Ervis Koçi
FW11 Mario Morina
MF14 Rexhep Memini 80'
MF18 Nertil Ferraj
MF18 Felipe Moreira 77' 46' 80'
FW19 Mateus Lima
DF30 Lapidar Lladrovci
Head Coach:
Klodian Duro

Assistant referees:
Lorenzo Manganelli
Alessandro Costanzo
Fourth official:
Enea Jorgji

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if score is still level.
  • Seven named substitutes, of which up to three may be used.

References

  1. Andi Deçka (22 May 2016). "Kukesi fiton Kupën e Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  2. Erald Kodheli (19 May 2016). "Gjyqtar italian për finalen e Kupës së Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  3. "Albania – List of Cup Finals". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  4. "Besa pa objektiva, Laçi siguron kualifikimin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  5. "Laçi vs. Besa Kavajë 1 – 1". Soccerway. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  6. "Bylisi s'fiton as në Kupë, kualifikimi vendoset në Laç" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  7. Alfred Lleshi (4 November 2015). "Kupa e Shqipërisë, ja çerekfinalistët e kompeticionit" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  8. Rinald Bregasi (23 January 2016). "K. Shqipërisë, Laçi e nis me fitore vitin e ri, mposht 2-0 Partizanin" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  9. "Partizani-Laçi 1–0/ Nuk ka përmbysje, eleminohet Partizani (video)" (in Albanian). Minuta90.al. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  10. "Laçi mposht Skënderbeun në gjysmëfinalen e parë të Kupës" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  11. Edon Krasniqi (22 April 2016). "Kukësi-Laçi, finalja Kupës së Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Lajmi Sportiv. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  12. "Kukësi "bie" në Kuçovë, Naftëtari bën surprizën" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  13. Rinald Bregasi (30 September 2015). "Kupa pa surpriza, kalojnë të mëdhatë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  14. "Kukësi s'fal, shkatërron Ilirinë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  15. "Kukësi vs. Iliria Fushë-Krujë 3 – 0" (in Albanian). Soccerway. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  16. "VIDEO/ Teuta thyen Kukësin, takimin e mbyll goli i Hilës" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  17. "Kukësi vs. Teuta Durrës 2 – 0". Soccerway. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  18. "Duro: Do bëjmë maksimumin për të fituar Kupën" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  19. "Kukësi eliminoi Flamurtarin në Kupë, Gjici: Ja kur ekipi meriton notën 10" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  20. "Plotësohet dëshira e Kukësit. Gjyqtarë italianë për finalen e Kupës së Shqiperisë" (in Albanian). Info Albania. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.

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