Albania national under-20 football team

Albania under-20
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachIlias Haxhiraj
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 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 2 1 1 0 5 2 +3 4
 Tunisia 2 1 1 0 4 3 +1 4
 Albania 2 0 0 2 1 5 -4 0
Albania  v  Tunisia
27 June 2009 2009 Mediterranean Games Albania  1 – 2  Tunisia Pescara, Italy
17:00 CET Shehaj 23' Report Ben Messaoud 27'
Ayari 35'		 Stadium: Stadio Valle Anzuca, Francavilla al Mare
Referee: Fırat Aydınus (Turkey)
Spain  v  Albania
29 June 2009 2009 Mediterranean Games Spain  3 – 0  Albania Pescara, 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 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

Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 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: [citation needed]
Turkey  v  Albania
19 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Turkey  2–0  Albania Mersin, Turkey
21:45 CET Aydın 10'
Sazdağı 86'		 Report Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Italy)
Albania  v  Bosnia and Herzegovina
21 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Albania  2–2  Bosnia and Herzegovina Mersin, Turkey
18:00 CET Turtulli 61'
Rrahmani 73'		 Report Bajić 44' 52' Stadium: Tarsus Şehir Stadı, Tarsus
Referee: Baris Simsek (Turkey)
Morocco  v  Albania
23 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Morocco  2–1  Albania Mersin, 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

Albania  v  North Macedonia
25 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Albania  1–2 (a.e.t.)  North Macedonia Mersin, 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

Albania  v  Italy
26 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games Albania  1–3  Italy Mersin, 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

  • The following players were called up for the friendly match.
  • Match date: 12 June 2021
  • Opposition:  Montenegro
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Leonard Kacaj (2003-03-19) 19 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Albania Vllaznia Pozheran
12 1GK Simon Simoni (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 19) 1 0 Albania Shënkolli
23 1GK Mario Mara (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Albania Erzeni
2 2DF Usni Ismaili (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0
3 2DF Omar Musaj (2002-04-15) 15 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Albania Tirana
4 2DF Kesli Shani (2002-12-16) 16 December 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Croatia Lokomotiva Zagreb
5 2DF Mikel Nuhaj (2002-04-01) 1 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Netherlands Roda JC
6 2DF Petro Memushi (2002-01-15) 15 January 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Italy Arezzo
11 2DF Geralb Smajli (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Albania Vllaznia Pozheran
13 2DF Reild Kurti (2002-10-17) 17 October 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Albania Korabi Debar
14 2DF Ergi Goga (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Albania Akademia e Futbollit
21 2DF Klaudio Bardhi (2002-04-08) 8 April 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Albania Akademia e Futbollit
22 2DF Arsen Elbasani (2002-02-28) 28 February 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Albania Vllaznia Pozheran
7 3MF Flamur Ruçi (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Albania Bylis
9 3MF Rubin Zijaj (2002-03-11) 11 March 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Albania Apolonia Fier
10 3MF Xheron Osma (2003-08-20) 20 August 2003 (age 20) 1 0 Albania Kukësi
15 3MF Albnor Kaba (2002-11-24) 24 November 2002 (age 21) 1 0 North Macedonia Shkëndija
8 4FW Aldi Gjumsi (2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Albania Tirana

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 (age 25) 1 0 Albania Erzeni Shijak v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Angelo Tafa (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 (age 23) 1 0 Greece AEK Athens v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
GK Gentian Selmani (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
DF Irlian Ceka (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Italy Sambenedettese v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Amer Duka (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
DF Ded Bushi (1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Agim Zeka (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Portugal Varzim v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Emir Sahiti (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Unattached v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Agon Mucolli (1998-09-26) 26 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Denmark Vejle Boldklub v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Marco Hoxha (1998-09-22) 22 September 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Italy ArzignanoChiampo v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
MF Sherif Kallaku (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Albania Laçi v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
MF Aleksandro Zaimaj (1998-01-19) 19 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Greece PAE Kerkyra v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE
FW Valdrin Mustafa (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Germany FC Kaiserslautern v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Rubin Hebaj (1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Slovenia Domžale v.  Georgia, 14 November 2017
FW Armend Aslani (1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 25) 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:[3]

Position Name
Head coach Albania Ilir Biturku
Assistant coach Albania Arjan Bellaj
Goalkeeping coach Albania Alfred Osmani
Athletic coach Albania Iris Selimi
Team doctor Albania Erald Derveni
Physiotherapists Albania Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapists Albania Edison Koçi
Base materials Albania Roland Rarani

Tournament history

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Year Round GP W D* L GS GA
Tunisia 1977 did 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[4]
Turkey 2013
New Zealand 2015
South Korea 2017
Poland 2019
Indonesia 2021 Cancelled
Argentina 2023 did not qualify
Total[5] 0/23 0 0 0 0 0 0

Mediterranean Games - Football

Football at the Mediterranean Games record
Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
Italy 2009 Group stage 10th 2 0 0 2 1 5
Turkey 2013 Group stage 8th 5 0 1 4 5 11
Total 0/2 Best: 8th 7 0 1 6 6 16

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. Archived from the original on June 3, 2007. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  5. ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009.

External links

  • FIFA U-20 World Cup website
  • Official FA Albania site
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