National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Bressail McIan kicked off to start the match. In the 3rd minute, Brendanus McMichel ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Fotaq Strakosha was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. Berrach Dalton struck a weak shot in the 5th minute. Fotaq Strakosha didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ireland. Fotaq Strakosha stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Bressail McIan's shot from short distance in the 9th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bressail McIan in the 11th minute of play forced Albania's goalkeeper Fotaq Strakosha to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Bressail McIan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 15th minute Bressail McIan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fotaq Strakosha saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Albania's Fotaq Strakosha played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Hayes Byrne in the 18th minute of play. In the 27th minute Bressail McIan shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fotaq Strakosha saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 29thth minute of the game Bressail McIan who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Albania's Fotaq Strakosha was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 30th minute of the match Ireland got a corner. Albania's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Hayes Byrne ran over to the corner to take the kick. Ireland's Corey Ryan was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Fotaq Strakosha in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 32nd minute Ireland were awarded a corner. Hayes Byrne went to the cornerflag to take it. Corey Ryan was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. Fotaq Strakosha showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Bressail McIan in the 34th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edi Berisha in the 38th minute of play forced Ireland's goalkeeper Shea Ryan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Ireland's Fintan Rogers got a free kick in the 39th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edi Berisha in the 41st minute of play forced Ireland's goalkeeper Shea Ryan to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bressail McIan in the 48th minute of play forced Albania's goalkeeper Fotaq Strakosha to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After the first half Ireland were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

53 minutes into the match, Bressail McIan notched a goal, 0-3, to the right of Albania's Fotaq Strakosha. Fotaq Strakosha was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Fotaq Strakosha made a fantastic save in the 57th minute, when Corey Ryan sent off a good shot on target. 57 minutes into the match, Corey Ryan had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Fotaq Strakosha. Albania's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Corey Ryan was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-4. Ireland made a substitution. Peter Bayes replaced Bressail McIan. Ireland made a substitution. Scott Callaghan replaced Alan Prunty. Albania's Redion Muça was substituted for Ditjon Çinari. Shea Ryan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Kristaq Jashellari in the 64th minute of play. 66 minutes into the match, Hayes Byrne dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Fotaq Strakosha, 0-5. With a little luck, Albania's Fotaq Strakosha got control of the ball when Corey Ryan tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 74 played minutes Albania got a freekick which was hit by Hekuran Naço. Ireland's Peadar Kelly was substituted for Brendanus McMichel. The supporters of Ireland booed when Albania was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hekuran Naço didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 76th minute, Hayes Byrne got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Fotaq Strakosha showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Peter Bayes in the 81st minute of the match. Fotaq Strakosha made an important save on a dangerous shot by Peter Bayes in the 82nd minute. Fotaq Strakosha made an important save on a dangerous shot by Corey Ryan in the 84th minute. Albania's Fotaq Strakosha played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Peadar Kelly in the 92nd minute of play. 94 minutes into the game, Ireland's Peadar Kelly nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Fotaq Strakosha made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-6. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Ireland walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.