Balkan deepened the Pristina crisis even further on Sunday, and strengthened its position at the top of the Kosovo Super League football table.
With a 3:1 victory on Sunday at the city stadium in Suhareka, Balkan now leads the standings with 32 points. It has four more points than second-placed Dukagjini and five more than third-placed Prishtina, which has one less game to play, against Drita.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeThe 17th round derby in Suhareka was decided in the first half.
Prishtina, led by coach Afrim Tovërlani, took the lead first with Gentri Salihu's goal in the 13th minute.
But then coach Mislav Karoglan's Balkans came back strongly, scoring three goals.
Bleart Tolaj scored for 1:1 in the 22nd minute.
Salihu then scored an own goal for 2:1 in favor of Suharekë in the 31st minute.
As the teams headed towards the break between halves, Valentin Serebe appeared on the scene. After a lost ball from Pristina, Walid Hamidi took advantage, who with a perfect assist found Serebe. The fast-footed striker passed goalkeeper Altin Gjokaj and won a penalty. He executed it correctly and secured full points for Balkan. For Serebe, it was the 13th goal in the current edition.
Before the match between Balkan and Prishtina started, a minute of silence was held in honor of Dren Ferataj. Ferataj died days ago, while he was a member of the staff of FC Prishtina. Players of Prishtina, Balkan and the referees of the match, wore shirts with his photo. "Always in our hearts, Dren," Prishtina wrote.
It was the fourth consecutive victory for Balkan. They defeated Drita, Prishtina e Re and Prishtina now in the Super League, while they beat Rilindja 1974 in the Kosovo Cup.
Prishtina, on the other hand, remains winless in the Super League since October 25, when they won 2:0 against Dukagjini. They were then defeated by Llapi, Malisheva, Prishtina e Re and now by Balkan, while they drew with Gjilan and Ferizaj in the previous round.
Super match in Suhareka, Balkan in the lead after the first half
A very strong match, with four goals scored in the first half, took place at the city stadium in Suhareka.
The first half of the Balkan - Prishtina match ended 3:1 in favor of the team from Suharekë.
This confrontation belongs to the 17st round of the Kosovo Super League in football.
Prishtina took the lead first with Gentri Salihu's goal in the 13th minute. Then for Balkan, Bleart Tolaj scored in the 22nd minute, Salihu scored an own goal for 2:1 in the 31st minute and Valentin Serebe in the first minute of added time of the first half. Serebe scored from the penalty spot and it was his 13th goal this season.
Before the match between Balkan and Prishtina started, a minute of silence was held in honor of Dren Ferataj. Ferataj died days ago, while he was a member of the staff of FC Prishtina. Players of Prishtina, Balkan and the referees of the match, wore shirts with his photo. "Always in our hearts, Dren," Prishtina wrote.