Dukagjini from Klina has reached the fourth final of the Kosovo Cup after eliminating Balkan from Suhareka in the semifinals.
Dukagjini won 3:2 on Wednesday at the "18 Qershori" stadium in Klina, and eliminated Balkan with an overall score of 6:2.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeDukagjini won the first match at the city stadium in Suhareka 3:0.
The match held in Klina yielded many goals and open play.
The hosts took the lead first with captain Elton Basriu, who scored in the 23rd minute. A minute before Dukagjini's goal, Balkan's Almir Kryeziu's goal was disallowed for offside.
Balkan's problems became more difficult after the expulsion of Albert Diene. The midfielder of Suharekë was sent off with a straight red card by referee Lirim Jashari. The main referee of the match did not find a foul on Diene on Erlis Xhemajli's leg after reviewing the situation in VAR. He removed the yellow card and sent him off with a straight red card.
Despite being one player less on the field, Balkan equalized in the 36th minute through striker Bleart Tolaj.
Tolaj scored another goal in the 50th minute for 2:1 in favor of Balkan.
But the locals, led by coach Arsim Thaqi, did not give up and scored with Mërgim Pefqeli in the 64th minute for 2:2.
Dukagjini scored another goal for the victory. Dienit Isufi passed a player from the left wing and shot powerfully, four minutes before the end for 3:2.
Engjëll Ajazaj scored for Balkan in the 87th minute. However, his goal was also disallowed as he was offside during the build-up. This was confirmed by VAR.
Dukagjini has lost the past three finals. They were defeated by Prishtina in the 1994/95 edition, while they lost to Flamurtari in the 1995/96 edition.
The last final was against Llapi in the 2020/21 edition. But they were defeated in that match as well.
Meanwhile, Balkan has lost one final in the Kosovo Cup and won one trophy. It was defeated by Prishtina in the final of the 2019/20 edition, while it triumphed against the "white and blue" in the 2023/24 edition.
