2016 Albanian Cup Final

2016 Albanian Cup Final

The Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tiranë will host the final
Event	2015–16 Albanian Cup
Laçi Kukësi 1 1
Kukësi won 5–3 on penalties
Date	22 May 2016
Venue	Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tiranë
Man of the Match	Jean Carioca (Kukësi)
Referee	Marco Guida

The 2016 Albanian Cup Final was a football match played on 22 May 2016 to decide the winner of the 2015–16 Albanian Cup, the 54th edition of Albania's primary football cup. It was played at the Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tiranë.

It was won by the first time by Kukësi 5–3 on penalties after the regular and extra time finished in a 1–1.^[1] Kukësi thus won its first Albanian Cup title, missing the opportunity last season where it was defeated by Laçi itself. It was the third consecutive cup final for Kukësi while Laçi had the opportunity to win the title for the third time in the last four editions. For the first time in the history of Albanian football, a cup final match was judged by foreign refeeres.^[2]

As Kukësi won both the Albanian Cup and Skënderbeu Korçë won the 2015–16 Albanian Superliga, the 2016 Albanian Supercup will be between Skënderbeu Korçë and Kukësi.

Background

Laçi had previously played in 2 Albanian Cup finals, winning both respectively against Bylis Ballsh in 2013 and Kukësi in 2015. They were the reigning champions, having defeated Kukësi 2–1 in the previous year's final at their Qemal Stafa Stadium.^[3]

Kukësi had been to two, losing both, respectively in 2014 to Flamurtari Vlorë and in 2015 to Laçi. The 2016 final was the second between the two sides.^[3]

It will be the 5th consecutive final at the Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tiranë, home of Partizani Tirana.^[3]

Route to the final

Laçi			Round	Kukësi
Opponent	Result	Legs		Opponent	Result	Legs
Besa Kavajë	4–2	3–1 away; 1–1 home	First round	Naftëtari Kuçovë	5–4	1–3 away; 4–1 home
Bylis Ballsh	3–2	0–0 away; 3–2 home	Second round	Iliria Fushë-Krujë	8–1	5–0 away; 3–1 home
Partizani Tirana	2–1	0–1 away; 2–0 home	Quarterfinals	Teuta Durrës	2–1	0–1 away; 2–0 home
Skënderbeu Korçë	2–2a	1–0 home; 1–2 away	Semifinals	Flamurtari Vlorë	4–0	2–0 away; 2–0 home

Laçi

James Adeniyi was the main instrument in Laçi's run to the final, scoring five goals in three appearances, including a hat-trick in a 3–2 win over Bylis Ballsh.

Laçi, of Albanian Superliga, entered the tournament in the first round, against Besa Kavajë of Albanian First Division. The first leg in Besa Stadium, on 16 September 2015, ended in a 3–1 convincing win for Laçi, with manager Armando Cungu who used his best eleven to secure the qualify fast.^[4] In the returning leg two week later, Laçi drew 1–1 by using players which were not used too much in the league. Dardan Vuthaj scored the only goal of his team in the 82nd minute.^[5]

In the second round, Laçi played their fellow relegation league strugglers Bylis Ballsh. They played the first leg on 21 October which ended in a goalless draw.^[6] In the returning leg, however, Laçi won 3–2 thanks to a James Adeniyi hat-trick; Stipe Buljan also scored an owngoal in the first half.^[7]

Laçi met Partizani Tirana in the quarter-finals, a repeat of the last year's quarter-final. On 23 January at Laçi Stadium, they won 2–0 with second-half strikes of James Adeniyi.^[8] In the returning leg on 17 February, the "Red Bulls" won 1–0 at home thanks to the goal of Xhevahir Sukaj, but Laçi managed to progress into the semi-final for the second consecutive season.^[9]

In the semi-finals, Laçi met Skënderbeu Korçë, and won 1–0 in the home leg on 6 April; Marko Ćetković scored the lone goal in the second half.^[10] In the returning leg two weeks later, Skënderbeu won 2–1 but thanks to Ćetković's tempolary equalizer goal, Laçi where able to secure a spot in the final thanks to the away goal rule.^[11]

Kukësi

Kukësi, also in Albanian Superliga, entered at the same stage against a third-tier opponent, Naftëtari Kuçovë. In the first leg in Bashkim Sulejmani Stadium on 16 September 2015, they suffered a shock defeat 3–1 as the owngoal of Gucaj was bounced by the strikes of Kopaçi and Behari;^[12] in the returning leg two weeks later at the Zeqir Ymeri Stadium, Kukësi overturned the first-leg results and won 4–1 after extra time; Fjoart Jonuzi scored two decisive goals, including one in the 118th minute of the match.^[13]

In the second round, Kukësi met another low-league side, Iliria Fushë-Krujë. In the first leg away on 21 October, Kukësi secured a spot to the quarter-final by scoring five times in the Iliria Fushë-Krujë net.^[14] In the returning leg of Albanian Cup second round, the team overwhelmed 3–0 Iliria Fushë-Krujë at home, securing a 8–1 aggregate victory and progression to the quarter-finals. Two goals from Mateus Lima and one strike from Bledar Musolli secured the victory.^[15]

In the quarter-finals, Kukësi faced Teuta Durrës. On 23 January, Kukësi was defeated 1–0 at away leg; Ardit Hila scored the lone goal in the 20th minute.^[16] In the returning leg at home, Kukësi won 2–0 thanks to the goals from Ylli Shameti and Renato Malota, the centre-backs of the team.^[17]

Kukësi were tasked with out of form Flamurtari Vlorë in the semi-finals. In the first leg away on 6 April, Edon Hasani scored an early goal in the 11th minute which was followed by Shameti's header nine minutes later, which almost had qualified Kukësi in the final.^[18] On 20 April, in the returning leg of Albanian Cup, Kukësi recorded another 2–0 win against Flamurtari, securing a 4–0 aggregate victory and progression in the final for the second consecutive season.^[19]

Pre-match

Before the final, both teams required forgein referees for the match.^[2] That was more specifically the request of Kukësi rather than Laçi.^[20]

Match

Laçi v Kukësi

22 May 2016 19:00 CEST

Laçi	1–1 (a.e.t.)	Kukësi
Mitraj  90+4'	Report	Jean Carioca  65'
	Penalties
Dosti Ćetković Zefi Buljan	3–5	Jean Carioca Dvorneković Emini Hallaçi Musolli

Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tiranë Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Marco Guida

Laçi

Kukësi

GK 1 Gentian Selmani RB 2 Ademir CB 4 Stipe Buljan CB 5 Arjan Sheta  99' LB 3 Emiliano Çela  5'  120' RM 21 Olsi Gocaj  10' CM 20 Argjend Mustafa  30' CM 28 Emiljano Veliaj (c)  74' LM 11 Taulant Sefgjinaj  68' CF 10 Marko Ćetković CF 19 Valdan Nimani  110' Substitutes: GK 31 Miroslav Vujadinović MF 7 Albi Dosti  108'  74' FW 9 Aldo Mitraj  89'  68' DF 16 Eglentin Gjoni FW 17 Enco Malindi MF 22 Alfred Zefi  44' FW 33 Drilon Musaj Head Coach: Ramadan Ndreu

GK 31 Enea Koliqi RB 13 Rrahman Hallaçi (c) CB 4 Ylli Shameti CB 24 Renato Malota  37' LB 7 Gledi Mici  52' RM 10 Jean Carioca  92' CM 17 Ansi Nika  73' CM 16 Edon Hasani  46' LM 23 Besar Musolli CF 21 Matija Dvorneković CF 8 Izair Emini  24' Substitutes: GK 12 Ervis Koçi FW 11 Mario Morina MF 14 Rexhep Memini  80' MF 18 Nertil Ferraj MF 18 Felipe Moreira  77'  46'  80' FW 19 Mateus Lima DF 30 Lapidar Lladrovci Head Coach: Klodian Duro

Assistant referees: Lorenzo Manganelli Alessandro Costanzo Fourth official: Enea Jorgji

Match rules 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shoot-out if score is still level. Seven named substitutes, of which up to three may be used.

References

1. Andi Deçka (22 May 2016). "Kukesi fiton Kupën e Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
2. Erald Kodheli (19 May 2016). "Gjyqtar italian për finalen e Kupës së Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
3. "Albania – List of Cup Finals". RSSSF. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
4. "Besa pa objektiva, Laçi siguron kualifikimin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
5. "Laçi vs. Besa Kavajë 1 – 1". Soccerway. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
6. "Bylisi s'fiton as në Kupë, kualifikimi vendoset në Laç" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
7. Alfred Lleshi (4 November 2015). "Kupa e Shqipërisë, ja çerekfinalistët e kompeticionit" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
8. Rinald Bregasi (23 January 2016). "K. Shqipërisë, Laçi e nis me fitore vitin e ri, mposht 2-0 Partizanin" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
9. "Partizani-Laçi 1–0/ Nuk ka përmbysje, eleminohet Partizani (video)" (in Albanian). Minuta90.al. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
10. "Laçi mposht Skënderbeun në gjysmëfinalen e parë të Kupës" (in Albanian). Top Channel. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
11. Edon Krasniqi (22 April 2016). "Kukësi-Laçi, finalja Kupës së Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Lajmi Sportiv. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
12. "Kukësi "bie" në Kuçovë, Naftëtari bën surprizën." (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
13. Rinald Bregasi (30 September 2015). "Kupa pa surpriza, kalojnë të mëdhatë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
14. "Kukësi s'fal, shkatërron Ilirinë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
15. "Kukësi vs. Iliria Fushë-Krujë 3 – 0" (in Albanian). Soccerway. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
16. "VIDEO/ Teuta thyen Kukësin, takimin e mbyll goli i Hilës" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
17. "Kukësi vs. Teuta Durrës 2 – 0". Soccerway. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
18. "Duro: Do bëjmë maksimumin për të fituar Kupën" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
19. "Kukësi eliminoi Flamurtarin në Kupë, Gjici: Ja kur ekipi meriton notën 10" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
20. "Plotësohet dëshira e Kukësit. Gjyqtarë italianë për finalen e Kupës së Shqiperisë" (in Albanian). Info Albania. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.