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By:
Tahir Sopi
- April 7, 2022 11:00 am
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Llapi's team is aiming to defend the Kosovo Cup trophy in football. And to do this, it must first overcome the reigning champion, Pristina, in the semi-finals. In fact, last season, Llapi eliminated Pristina at this very stage, before defeating Dukagjini in the final to win the first Kosovo Cup trophy in history. The coach of Llapi, Tahir Batatina, has said that his team intends to eliminate Pristina this season as well to reach the third final of this competition in the last four seasons. Llapi plays the first semi-final match on Thursday. Prishtina is a guest at the "Fadil Vokrri" stadium and coach Batatina says that in this match he aims for a favorable result before the return match that will be played in Podujevë. Batatina admitted that it won't be easy, but insisted that his team deservedly reached this point and certainly wants the final.
"It is a difficult match, as two strong teams face each other. Naturally, both teams aim to advance further in the Cup to achieve their goals. We are very close to the final and of course we want to go to the third final in the last four years which would be a great achievement. However, the desire is to defend the trophy and we will do everything possible for this success", said Batatina. "In the first match, the aim is to get a favorable result for the second leg. As a meritorious team, we have come this far after eliminating strong teams. This edition too, we will play with Pristina in the semi-final series and the aim is to advance further".
Prishtina also aims to win this trophy, as it can save the season after failing to defend the title. Prishtina is fifth in the Superliga with 35 points collected, six less than Llapi which ranks fourth. These two teams met last weekend in the 27th round, where Pristina won in the capital with the result 2:1. The coach of Pristina, Abdullah Ibrakovic, said that his team will enter for victory, but admitted that it will not be easy due to the lack of players.
"It is a very important and demanding match because we are missing some players. However, we play in our stadium and with the support of the fans, I hope we will win this match. Of course, the goal is to win this trophy after we have reached this far", said Ibrakovic.
On Thursday at the same time, the other semi-final match is played, the one between Drita and Ramiz Sadik. This duel is played on the field with synthetic grass in the city of Gjilan. Drita is seen as the absolute favorite against Ramiz Sadik, which is the only team from the First League that has reached the semi-finals of the Kosovo Cup. Drita takes second place in the Superliga with 49 points, six less than Balkan, which is the leader. Meanwhile, Ramiz Sadiku is fourth in Group B of the First League with 30 points collected, 13 less than Ferizaj who leads the table. The second leg of the semi-final of the Kosovo Cup will take place in a week.
Thursday (14:00)
also
Llapi aims to defend the Cup, Drita to return it after more than two decades
Prishtina - Llapi
Light – R. Sadiku
