Prishtina has scored valuable victories, but not enough to remain in the Europa League qualifiers.
On Thursday night at “Fadil Vokrri”, Prishtina won 2:1 against the great Moldovan team, Sheriff Tiraspol. But it is Sheriff that advances to the second qualifying round of the Europa League, thanks to a 4:0 victory in the first leg in Tiraspol.
Prishtina, however, continues in European competitions. They will move to the Conference League, while they will appear in the second qualifying round. In the Conference League, the Prishtina team faces Larne of Northern Ireland.
The Europa League is the second tier of continental competitions, while the Conference League is the third tier.
All three goals in Thursday's match were scored in the second half. After a serious error in Prishtina's defense, Sheriff scored for 1:0 in the 51st minute. Artur Serobyan was the scorer.
But the Kosovar team came back. In the 56th minute, Hamdi Namani scored to make it 1:1. He scored with a powerful header, after a corner kick.
Prishtina coach Arsim Thaqi meanwhile made a few substitutions. And one of the players activated as a substitute, Rin Ahmeti, scored the winning goal 2:1. The 16-year-old talent scored in the 65th minute with a precise shot from the area. He took advantage of a rebound after Ardian Muja's shot was blocked.
Prishtina played significantly better than in the first match and as a result scored a victory. From the beginning of the match, Prishtina asked for a penalty, but the referee did not think so. Hamdi Namani and Valmir Veliu were then not accurate, while Veliu missed the best chance in the extra minutes. His shot stopped on the goal line.
Pristina won't have much time to "mourn" the elimination by Sherif.
The first leg is against Larne, in Northern Ireland, on July 24. The return leg is on July 31 in Pristina.
Full match:
Rin Ahmeti: Indescribable feeling
Pristina's 16-year-old talent, Rin Ahmeti, said it was an indescribable feeling after scoring a goal for Pristina in the Europa League.
"It's an indescribable feeling because it's the first goal. I feel very good to have scored, especially against a great team. I hope we can continue with this performance and have success in the Conference League," he said.
Arsim Thaqi: We were not lucky
Pristina coach Arsim Thaqi said that they were not lucky enough to score more goals against Sheriff Tiraspol.
Prishtina won 2:1, but it was not enough to advance after losing 4:0 in the first leg. They will now play against Larne in the Conference League.
"If our players repeat today's performance, I am sure we will advance to the Conference League. Luck is very important in football. We had no luck tonight or in the previous match. I congratulate the players for their approach to the match, their character and tactical discipline. It is very important to maintain this pace, this intensity. As a team, we must at least get past our first opponent in the Conference League," he said.
Pristina in the lead, 16-year-old talent scores
Prishtina has taken a 2:1 lead over Sheriff.
16-year-old Rin Ahmeti scored in the 65th minute.
He entered the game as a substitute.
Ahmeti scored after a long Prishtina move. Ardian Muja's shot was initially blocked.
VIDEO:
Prishtina draws
Prishtina tied the score in the match against Sheriff.
Hamdi Namani scored in the 56th minute.
He scored with a header from close range after a corner kick.
VIDEO:
Sheriff scores, Prishtina on the verge of elimination
Prishtina has conceded a goal to Sheriff Tiraspol and is on the verge of elimination from the Europa League qualifiers.
The guests scored through Artur Serobyan in the 51st minute for 0:1, after a mistake by Pristina center back Boueye.
Sheriff is leading with an overall score of 5:0.
VIDEO:
No goals were scored in the first half of the match Prishtina – Sheriff
The first half of the match between Prishtina and Sheriff Tiraspol has ended.
The Pristina team started the match better and tried to score quickly. However, this did not happen, although several half-chances were created.
The first half ended goalless.
Blend Baftiu had the best chance in extra time.
Pristina has the initiative in the match with Sheriff
20 minutes of the match between Pristina and Sheriff Tiraspol have already been played.
Pristina is dominating in terms of initiative, but the score remains 0:0.
From the start, the team from Pristina requested a penalty, but the referee thought differently. Afterwards, the players of the Kosovo team created several other half-chances.
Prishtina plays with three attackers against Sheriff
Captain Leotrim Kryeziu will appear in the center of the attack, while alongside him in the left will be Valmir Veliu and Blend Baftiu.
Prishtina's starting lineup for the match against Sheriff Tiraspol is midfielder Gjelbrim Taipi. Hamdi Namani and Ardian Muja will also be in the midfield. The back four is made up of Ardian Limani, Philippe Boeye in the center, while Ramiz Bytyqi will be on the right wing of the defense. Ron Raçi is on the left wing, while Agron Kolaj is in goal against Sheriff.
The match Prishtina – Sheriff Tiraspol, will be played tonight from 20:00 at “Fadil Vokrri”. It is the return match of the first qualifying round of the Europa League. The first match in Tiraspol, Sheriff won 4:0 against Prishtina.
