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 coachIlir Biturku
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

2009 Mediterranean Games
Main article: Football at the 2009 Mediterranean Games

Group D
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Spain 211052+34
 Tunisia 211043+14
 Albania 200215-40
27 June 2009 2009 Mediterranean GamesAlbania 1 – 2 TunisiaPescara, 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 GamesSpain 3 – 0 AlbaniaPescara, Italy
17:00 CET Kike  11'
Aarón  12'
Botía  77'		 Report Stadium: Stadio Valle Anzuca, Francavilla al Mare
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro)

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 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

Preliminary round - Group A
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:
19 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean GamesTurkey 2–0 AlbaniaMersin, Turkey
21:45 CET Aydın  10'
Sazdağı  86'		 Report Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Italy)
21 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean GamesAlbania 2–2 Bosnia and HerzegovinaMersin, 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 GamesMorocco 2–1 AlbaniaMersin, 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
25 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean GamesAlbania 1–2 (a.e.t.) North MacedoniaMersin, 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
26 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean GamesAlbania 1–3 ItalyMersin, Turkey
18:00 CET Hyseni  82' Report Canotto  20'
Bollino  47'
Gomez  54' (pen.)		 Stadium: Tarsus Şehir Stadı, Tarsus
Referee: Khalid Ennouni (Morocco)

Players

Current squad

Manager: Ilir Biturku

The following players were called up for the friendly match against Croatia on 16 November 2019

Caps and goals as of 11 November 2019

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Arlis Shala {{{age}}} 0 0 Flamurtari
1GK Kristi Qarri {{{age}}} 0 0 Vllaznia
2DF Elmir Lekaj (Captain) {{{age}}} 0 0 Vllaznia
2DF Masimiliano Doda {{{age}}} 0 0 Sampdoria
2DF Enes Isufi {{{age}}} 0 0 Luftëtari
2DF Rezart Rama {{{age}}} 0 0 Nottingham Forest
2DF Adolf Selmani {{{age}}} {{{caps}}} 0 Kastrioti
3MF Dean Lico {{{age}}} 0 0 Perugia
3MF Erald Lakti {{{age}}} 0 0 Fiorentina
3MF Eslit Sala {{{age}}} 0 0 Valletta F.C.
3MF Arbër Daija {{{age}}} 0 0 Sabah FC
3MF Tedi Cara {{{age}}} 0 0 Besa
3MF Mehdi Coba {{{age}}} 0 0 Sabah FC
3MF Albion Marku {{{age}}} 0 0 NK Lokomotiva
3MF Sidrit Vukaj {{{age}}} 0 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
3MF Roy Syla {{{age}}} 0 0 Barnet
4FW Aldrit Oshafi {{{age}}} 0 0 Luftëtari
4FW Arbër Mehmetllari {{{age}}} 0 0 NK Lokomotiva
4FW Ardit Murati {{{age}}} 0 0 SønderjyskE
4FW Marlon Marishta {{{age}}} 0 0 Bohemians

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 Erzeni Shijak v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Angelo Tafa (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 1 0 AEK Athens v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Gentian Selmani (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 0 0 Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
DF Irlian Ceka (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 1 0 Sambenedettese v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Amer Duka (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 1 0 Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Ded Bushi (1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 1 0 Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Agim Zeka (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 1 0 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 Vejle Boldklub v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Marco Hoxha (1998-09-22) 22 September 1998 1 0 ArzignanoChiampo v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Sherif Kallaku (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 0 0 Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
MF Aleksandro Zaimaj (1998-01-19) 19 January 1998 0 0 PAE Kerkyra v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
FW Valdrin Mustafa (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 1 0 FC Kaiserslautern v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Rubin Hebaj (1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 1 0 Domžale v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Armend Aslani (1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 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

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

FIFA U-20 World Cup
Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
1977Did 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 To be determined
Total[5]0/23000000

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

See also

References
  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. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  5. "FIFA U-20 World Cup". FIFA.com.
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