Albania keep Euro hopes alive with win over Russia

Albania 3 Russia 1

Midfielder Altin Lala dribbled past half the Russian defence to put the home side 2-1 in front on 80 minutes before Russia’s goalkeeper Sergei Ochinnikov failed to hold an Igli Tare header and the forward stuck the loose ball into the net.

Albania’s victory closes the gap on second-placed Russia to just two points and the Albanians could go above the Russians if they beat Ireland on Wednesday in Tirana.

Ochinnikov saved a penalty from Albania's Klodian Duro before Albania striker Altin Raklli opened the scoring on 20 minutes after the goalkeeper deflected a shot from Ervin Skela.

Russia’s strikers, especially Alexander Kerzhakov, squandered chances until the 77th minute when substitute Andrei Karayka fired home from a perfect pass inside the area.

Just when it looked like Albania would let the game slip away, Lala gave them the lead and Tare soon added their third.

Albania’s German coach Hans-Peter Briegel was pleased with the response of his players after his first match in charge.

“The team deserved to win because theydid not lose heart after throwing away a penalty.”

Albania showed a vast improvement from their 4-1 thrashing by Russia in Volgograd, but the former Germany international cautioned that they must now concentrate on Brian Kerr’s men.

“As the team of a small country we should not be looking at the overall situation of the group but the next match with Ireland, who have got some stronger points than the Russians.”

Played in the northern town of Shkoder on the pitch where Albania played their first international against Russia in 1947, the victory delighted the 16,000 crowd and government leaders.

ALBANIA: Strakosha; Cipi, Beqiri, Aliaj, Lala, Duro, Skela, Hasi, Murati, Tare, Rraklli.

RUSSIA: Ovchinnikov, Nizhegorodov, Ignashevic, Smertin, Semak, Berezutsky, Aldonine, Gusev, Tochilin, Loskov, Kerzhakov.