Albania in the World Cup qualifiers, Mexico `86! (Part One)

PROLOGUE!

The `80s!
Overall, it was a golden decade for world football, where we think the “top-kembes” game reached its highest peak both technically and tactically.

Just to remind the reader of some names

Diego A Maradona, Horge Valdano, Artur A. C. Zico, Paulo R Falcao, Toninho Cereso, Leonicido Junior, Enzo Francesoli, Zbigniew Boniek, Michel Platini, Alain Girese, Jean Tigana, Carl. H Rrummenigge, Claus Allofs, Bernd Schuster, Rudi Voeller, Preben L. Elkjaer, Michael Laudrup, Alain Simonsen, Paulo Rossi, Alessandro Altobelli, Keneth Dallglish, Ian Rush, Kevin Keegan, Gary Lineker, Walter Schachner, Herbert Prohaska, Emilio Butragueno, Juan Carlos Santillana, Yugoslavian Ivica Surjak (from Croatia), Safet Susic` (from Bosnia), Greek Nikos Anastopulos (who played in Serie A with Avellino), Cameroonian football icon Roger Milla, Hungarian Lajosh Detari, Romanian Piturka, Mexican acrobat of Real M. Hugo Sanchez and later the Dutch players Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit, crazy Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov, up to the Colombian Valderama who would be called “White Gullit” … and we could go on with endless names of talented players.

Also, goalkeepers like veteran Peter Shilton, Rinat Dassaew, Tony H. Schumacher, Jean M. Pfaff, Walter Zenga, Higuita, Tomas N’Kono, Koncilia, Patt Jennings dominated the fields and occupied more and more space in the pages of the international press.

Almost every national team had star players who stood out on the international stage, not to mention clubs that had no more than 2-3 foreign players, who still maintained their national identity of origin, completely in contradiction with the rules of unlimited movement of players and their naturalization after the 2000s.

It was another time, a beautiful time, yet one that is missing now days and brings nostalgia.

What about football in Albania?

* * *
In this time frame of the `80s, there is no way that Albanian football, although of an isolated country, could be an exception.

The time when Albania, under the communist system of Enver Hoxha, was isolated and opposed to Western countries and even against the Soviet Union and to any country it considered an enemy and aggressor.

On the contrary, it may sound incredible, but precisely at the time of its isolation, football and art were flourishing and at the maximum of their production.

The Albanian representative or more precisely the representative teams, including that of the “Shpresa” Under 21, had an increase in the level of football.

The Albanian championship, which until the `70s was dominated by two or three names, now had several contenders for the title, and even in the 1983-1984 season, Labinoti of Elbasan was able to be declared champion of the country for the first time in the history of Albanian football, challenging the big names.

To the names of “Partizani”, “Dinamo”, “Vllaznia” and “17 Nentori” were added by “Flamurtari”, “Luftetari”, “Labinoti” and without forgetting the other teams considered “underdogs” (small) that were too difficult to pass especially in their fields such as “Skenderbeu”, “Beselidhja”, “Naftetari”, “Traktori”, and adding here also the rivals, the teams that were almost always ranked in the middle of the classification such as “Besa”, “Lokomotiva”, “Tomorri”, “Apolonia” and some others!

Thus, “Partizani”, “Dinamo” and “17 Nentori”, would also achieve positive results and victories in the European Cups against famous clubs such as “Celtic”, “Malmoe”, “Austria” Wien, “Carl Z. Siena”, “Larisa”, “Linfield” and some others!

So, Albanian football had shown that it was growing, this was evidenced by the fact that in 1978 and 1981 the victory of the Balkan Champions title of the “Shpresat” Under 21 team twice, and this same representative of a young group of players, in 1983 had entered the European Championship finals , for the first time in the history of Albanian football by eliminating the superpower in this sport such as West Germany.

That same year, 1983, the Albanian National Team in Saarbrucken, in an eliminatory challenge for the European Championship, France `84, performed one of the most beautiful matches in its history against a world-class team, West Germany with names like Schumacher, Briegel, the Foester brothers, Matthaeus, Littbarski, Voeller and captain Rrummenigge…

Watch the Game here: https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/1794-2/

In this match, Albania will be even the first to take the lead (22` Tomorri), and immediately afterwards with 10 players (after leaving the game with a red card, also of Genc Tomorri), will start a heroic defense, making the Germans tremble for fear of a draw, which would lead to their elimination from the European Championship finals, as had happened in 1968, also by the Albanian representative of Pano and coach Loro Borici.

The Germans of Jupp Derval, until a few minutes before the end, were watching in the mirror the reflection of the representative of Shoen, back then…
But, here is the header of the tall center defender, Gerd Strack…

“Tor”! Zwei zu Eins!

Musta (and maybe someone else) who come out victorious in every duel, up until then, did not react, on the contrary, he was as if he “felt regret” if he were the reason for the elimination of the Germans, a team that Musta himself would later testify that he always had sympathy for…
And, finally 2-1!

A victory, too difficult, that would leave room for conspiracy, especially in Albania public! Was it all the merits of the Germans themselves or at the end little help from the Albanians?…

However, the Germans, freed from the nightmare, now became part of the 8 finalist teams of the 1984 European Championship in France, an adventure that would soon end in the group matches, without being able to pass it!

* * *

Albanian National Team of early `80-ties (1980, 1981)!

For these qualifiers, the Albanian representative team led by Shyqyri Rreli and Medin Zhega had gathered the following players:

Perlat Musta (Partizani), Ahmet Çumaku (Luftetari), Kristaq Eksarko (Partizani); Arjan Hametaj (Partizani), Kastriot Hysi (Partizani), Petro Ruci (Flamurtari), Bedri Omuri (17 Nentori); Hysen Dedja (Vllaznia); Haxhi Ballgjini (Partizani); Lir Lame (Partizani), Sulejman Mema (17 Nentori), Ferid Ragami (Vllaznia), Genc Tomori (Partizani), Luan Vukatana (Vllaznia), Hasan Lika (Partizani), Arben Minga (17 Nentori).

8 players from Partizani dominated, which was rightfully the strongest team in the early 1980s and the reigning champions of the 1980-1981 season.

It was precisely this representative team, perhaps the best selection up to that time, that would take the first steps, the foundations of the formation of a mixture, or a weave that would come later.

This generation of the National Team would pave the way for a new group of players who would come from the Under 21, such as Ocelli (Partizani), Zmijani (Vllaznia), Jera (Vllaznia), Josa (17 Nentori), Demollari (Dinamo) and some others from other teams, thus creating a “Red-Black” representative team that would risk entering the World Cup in Mexico `86, which we will talk about below!

Another Albanian National team of the early 80-ties! Up from left to right: Musta,Targaj,Vukatana, Minga, Hametaj, Lame; Down from left to right: P. Ruci, Demollari, Muca, Omuri, Eksarko!

1.
It is the year 1984, when the qualifiers for the 13th World Cup in Mexico, 1986, start. Albania feels that it has achieved a quality level of football. Quality is felt in the national championship, in the Republic cups, it was felt in the players who stand out more and more in every club, even those from a small town.

Coaches Shyqyri Rreli and Medin Zhega, do not delay but work with professionalism to select the best. They merge together the National Team of the previous year 1983, with the Under 21 team that qualified for the European finals.

Of course, the goalkeeper Perlat Musta does not change, and remains more and more the strongest point of the national team.

The position of full-backs, Petro Ruci and Kristaq Eksarko, will alternate from time to time – now with the two talented players, Adnan Ocelli and Hysen Zmijani!

In the center, captain Muhedin Targaj, Skender Hodja or Arjan Hametaj. Midfielders, Ferid Rragami, Mirel Josa, Shkelqim Muca and Sulejman Demollari. In the attacking line will be Agustin Kola and Arben Minga, the goal twins of “17 Nentori” that starting from 1984, will be the first team to supply the Albanian representatives, seeing also the good shape of this team in the championship. This was more or less the starting 11, since during these qualifiers, of course from time to time, Albania will activate other players.

* * *
October 17, 1984.
At the “Heysel” Stadium in Brussels, Albania begins its qualifying adventure against the strong Belgian home team, the Red Devils.

In front of 8,978 spectators, and under the direction of a trio of Finnish referees led by Arto Ravander, both teams take to the field with these formations:

Belgium: Munaron Jacques, Grun Georges, Renquin Michel, De Vriese Dirk, De Wolf Michel (55′ in Degryse Marc) , Van Der Elst Leo, Scifo Vincenzo (, Vandereycken Rene(c), Claesen Nico, Vercauteren Frank, Czerniatynski Alexandre (80′ in Voordeckers Edouard)
Coach: Guy Thys

Albania: Musta Perlat, Zmijani Hysen, Hodja Skender, Targaj Muhedin(c) (70` Eksarko Kristaq), Omuri Bedri, Ballgjini Haxhi, Demollari Sulejman, Muca Shkelqim, Josa Mirel, Minga Arben, Kola Agustin (65` Lame Ilir)
Coach: Shyqyri Breli

The first half ends with the nets untouched 0-0!

The Belgians attack by crashing into the barricade of the Albanian defense and the goalkeeper Musta.

In the 59th minute Claesen, manages to score the advantage goal after numerous attempts by the hosts.

After a counterattack, in the 71st minute Omuri, after having avoided the Belgian center defender with a perfect technique, has equalized the score 1-1 for the Albanian team that plays in a tight defense and continues to believe in a draw.

There are still 6 minutes left and it seems like Albania will get a valuable point.

However, within the span of 4 minutes, the Albanians concede two goals. In the 84th minute, Scifo and 88th minute, Voordeckers will give the Belgians
a 3-1 victory, which they must say was not easy, but they achieved it only thanks to the carelessness of the Albanian defense.

The Albanian national team, it must be said, played a very dignified match, even showing signs from time to time as a representative on the rise and had not arrived in Belgium, simply for tourism.

Goalkeeper Musta stands out with some spectacular interventions!
Two yellow cards for Josa in the 37th minute and Muca in the 81st minute.

In the other match, of the same group, Poland defeated Greece with the same result 3-1.

* * *
October 31, 1984
Albania travels to Poland in Mielec for the second match of the series, again away from home, this time at the “Stali” stadium, in front of 24,500 spectators.

Watch the game here: https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/video-poland-albania-world-cup-86-qualifying-match/

Poland: Kazimierski Jacek, Kubicki Dariusz, Zmuda Wladyslaw(c), Wojcicki Roman, (76′ in Dziuba Marek), Wdowczyk Dariusz, Palasz Andrzej, Boniek Zbigniew, Kazimierz Buda (70′ in Komornicki Ryszard) , Waldemar Matysik, Dziekanowski Dariusz, Smolarek Wlodzimierz
Coach: Antoni Piechniczek

Albania: Musta Perlat, Rragami Ferid, Targaj Muhedin(c), Hodja Skender, Omuri Bedri, Demollar Suleiman, Ballgjini Haxhi (63′ in Lame Ilir) (86′ in Eksarko Kristaq out Lame Ilir), Muca Shkelqim, Josa Mirel, Minga Arben, Kola Agustin
Coach: Shyqyri Rreli

The match, which is led by a trio of referees from Switzerland, led by the well-known Bruno Galler, starts quickly.

The Poles are furious in attack, and the Albanians, careful in defense, use the fast counterattack. In the 23rd minute, Smolarek takes the lead. The Poles, who have filled the Mielec stadium to the brim, are in the lead;

The first half ends 1-0 for the home team. The Albanians, who have shown signs of growing football since the match against Belgium, apply a well-thought-out tactic by the Rreli – Zhega coaches, which will bear fruit and not be easily defeated by the Poles, who show signs of underestimating their opponent.

In the 55th minute of the second half, there is a well-constructed counterattack by the Albanian team that ends with an excellent technical achievement by Omuri (his heel) tying the score again 1-1, just like it had happened in the first match against Belgium.

The Poles, perhaps thinking that it was all a coincidence, continue their game again, but this time losing their composure. Their attacks are more frequent but without the necessary clarity and are broken by the well-aligned defense of the Albanians.

There are strong physical clashes in this match. Minutes pass but the score remains 1-1. Musta makes some decisive interventions, even in one case correcting the defense’s mistakes.

The Albanians respond with counterattacks. In the 75th minute, Kola has suddenly given the Albanian Eagles a 2-1 advantage. The enthusiasm is indescribable. Albania is very close to victory and a very valuable two points.

Is a beautiful Albanian national team that gives satisfaction and surprises the opponents. Perhaps, this is the moment when the Polish players and their management staff begin to better understand the physiognomy of the Albanian representative.

But, as always, it will be the final minutes where the Albanians lose concentration and another carelessness that comes in the 80th minute, causes them to concede the equalizing goal 2-2 by Palasz.

However, it still remains a positive result, considering the opponent, a contender together with Belgium for the World Cup finals and also one of the top 4 representatives of the world, in the 1974 and 1982 editions (two times semi-finalists)!

In the other match of the first group, Greece stops Belgium in Athens 0-0!

* * *

11 starters who beat Belgium: Kola, Minga, Hodja, Muca, Rragami, Ocelli, Demollari, Zmijani, Josa, Musta , Targaj

We have arrived at a date that will prove historic for Albanian football.

December 22, 1984.
In Tirana, at the National Stadium “Qemal Stafa” filled with about 20,000 spectators, under the leadership of a Spanish trio, led by the main Victoriano Sanchez Arminio, both teams, Albania and Belgium, take to the field.

Albania: Musta Perlat, Zmijani Hysen, Targaj Muhedin(c), Hodja Skender, Ocelli Adnan, Rragami Ferit, Demollari Suleiman, Muca Shkelqim, Josa Mirel, Minga Arben, Kola Agustin
Coach: Sh. Rreli

Belgium: Pfaff Jean-Marie, Grun Georges, Jaspers Eddy, Van Der Elst Franky, Renquin Michel, De Groote Michel, Vercauteren Frank, Scifo Vincenzo, Ceulemans Jan(c), Czerniatynski Alexandre, Claesen Nico
Coach: Guy Thys

The heroic Albanian 11 against Belgium victory. One of the best National Team, all time! Kola, Hodja, Ocelli, Minga, Musta, Josa, Demollari, Muca, Zmijani, Rragami, Targaj

The beautiful sporting atmosphere that surrounds the National Stadium “Qemal Stafa”, is felt by every ardent fan, who supports and transmits positive energy, faith and optimism to the boys of the National Team, who will not disappoint.

Albania confirms its progress with a clean and very well-deserved 2-0 victory, against the Belgians who lacked realization, although in their ranks were great champions, such as Scifo, Ceullemans, Vercauteren, Czerniatynski, and in the goal was one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world, Jean Maria Pfaff!

The Albanian footballers, showed themselves to be more capable than their opponents, they are faster and within a few seconds, they returned from attack to defense, displaying an excellent physical condition and collectivity.

Albanian players exerted pressure from the beginning of the match, right after the shots of Kola (5`) and Minga (10`).

Everything starts and takes the form of a deserved success in the 69th minute when Josa scores with a header after a long action with many passes and a mess in front of the well-known goalkeeper Pfaff!

Four minutes to go, Minga, after a quick counterattack, skillfully avoids his marker and releases a bomb shot that Pfaff cannot stop!
Goal! Goal! Goal!
Albania wins 2-0!

This defeat puts the Belgians in a difficult position in the group. This victory will cause a great stir in international opinion.

From a second-rate team, Albania now enters for the finals of Mexico `86 as a favorite. The international press and media do not spare themselves by simultaneously expressing surprise and the best words for the Albanian National Team that is in seventh heaven.

“A first-class miracle happened in Tirana, where the dangerous Albanians beat the Belgians 2-0, and are now one of the contenders.. (Greek newspaper Ta Nea)

While the well-known newspaper “L`Ekip” will write like this:

“Albanian football is weighing more and more on the world football scene.. starting from a good youth team, they gave priority to a team like “Shpresa” U21, achieving a surprising qualification in the European Finals, even eliminating West Germany. Today these “Shpresa” have become first-team players”.

The famous Italian newspaper “La Gazzetta dello Sport” will preserve a few lines about the Albanian victory as follows:

“Belgium with half of Anderlecht, badly beaten by Albania.
The Coach Guy This, was defeated in a sensational way, by an Albania that demonstrated that the draw achieved at the end of October in Poland (after having led until 10 minutes towards the end) was not accidental….

Goalkeeper Musta did not let himself be caught by surprise by the Belgians’ shots, displaying the skills of a world-class goalkeeper, a true guardian where not only the Albanian defense but the entire team found security”.

Even coach Guy Thys would express himself thus:

“I must admit that I did not expect to see a team as good as Albania. They played a collective game, quite technical, but mainly dynamic and strong but also excellently trained”.

With this victory of the National Team, it shocked the group and put the two contenders, Poland and Belgium, in a difficult position, transmitting messages to them that it will not be easy at all for its opponents, even becoming itself a contender for the Mexican finals `86…

Now for Albania a draw or victory in the next match in Athens against Greece is enough.

Albania had already confirmed its role in the group with the deserved draw in Milelec against Poland (2-2), and even, why not, in the first match in Brussels even though it lost it 1-3 (due to distraction).

The victory of the Albanian National Team, not only shocked and surprised the entire public, but also aroused interest among world football specialists and the most respected coaches of the time.

Thus, in the match against Greece in Athens, to take a closer look at the Albanian footballers, the coach of the “Azzurra” team, the reigning world champion, Enzo Bearzot, was also present. And this is a story that we will tell in the sequel.