Kosovo continued their impressive form in the UEFA Nations League with a 3-0 win over Cyprus at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium. The victory, their third in a row, puts Kosovo in a strong position to challenge for promotion to League B, with their next test against Romania in Bucharest looming large. It was another frustrating night for Cyprus as they inched closer to a relegation battle.
A Struggle for Cyprus
Cyprus entered the match hopeful after breaking a three-game losing streak with a resounding 4-0 victory over the same opponents last month. However, Franco Foda’s side could have replicated that performance back on the road and in front of a passionate Kosovo crowd. In the final third, Cyprus struggled to find fluency, and their defensive vulnerabilities were soon exposed.
Rrahmani’s Moment of Brilliance
Kosovo’s attacking efforts finally paid off in the 29th minute. Florent Muslija, brought on early due to an injury, showed his creativity by setting up captain Albion Rrahmani. The center-back, more accustomed to defending than scoring, made a slalom run through the Cypriot defense and slotted the ball home like a seasoned striker. Kosovo was 1-0 up, and the pressure began to mount on the visitors.
VAR Drama Before Half-Time
The Dardanians thought they were about to extend their lead before halftime. Stelios Andreou’s clumsy challenge brought down Liridon Krasniqi, and Kosovo was awarded a penalty. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned due to an offside in the build-up, denying Kosovo the chance to double their advantage.
Krasniqi’s Volley: A Stunning Second
Head coach Franco Foda, nothing short of a revelation since his appointment in February, saw his team come out in the second half with renewed energy. Just six minutes after the restart, Kosovo found the back of the net again. A speculative strike from Muharrem Jashari took a fortunate deflection and landed perfectly for Krasniqi, who unleashed a composed volley into the far corner. Kosovo’s dominance was now clear, and the scoreline reflected their superiority.
Sahiti’s Impact Seals the Win
As the game progressed, Kosovo showed no signs of slowing down. Foda brought on Emir Sahiti in the 66th minute, and he made his mark within four minutes. Rrahmani’s initial shot was blocked, but Sahiti reacted quickest to curl a stunning effort past the despairing dive of Dimitris Dimitriou, making it 3-0. The Cypriot defense was in tatters, and Kosovo looked set for an easy finish.
Cyprus’ Misery Continues
Pieros Sotiriou’s night was summed up when he had a late goal ruled out by VAR, adding to Cyprus’ frustrations. This newest loss means that Cyprus has conceded 14 goals in just four meetings against Kosovo, leaving them in a precarious position. With relegation to League D a real possibility, Temur Ketsbaia’s men face an uphill battle to turn their fortunes around.
Kosovo’s Promotion Hopes Alive
For Kosovo, the win keeps their hopes of promotion to League B alive. Sitting just behind Romania in the group standings, they know that victory in their final match against Romania will give them a shot at leapfrogging their opponents. Confidence is high in the camp, and with Foda at the helm, Kosovo’s resurgence in European football continues.
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Conclusion
Kosovo’s 3-0 victory over Cyprus was a testament to their growing strength under Franco Foda. With the UEFA Nations League promotion race heating up, Kosovo will look to finish strong against Romania. On the other hand, Cyprus has plenty of work to do if they hope to avoid the drop. This match was a clear reminder for Kenyan football fans that even the most challenging battles can be won with teamwork and tenacity. Keep your eyes on Kosovo—they’re a team on the rise!