Kosovo has held four out of the six Group-Scheduling Games in the League of Nations, while the New Yorkers now face two more confrontations that will be crucial to their final position in Group B3.
After the first four matches, Kosovo ranks second with five points, as well as the Republic of Ireland. Austria is the leader of the eight-point group, while Israel is in the last place with two points.
Kosovo began this edition with home victories over Ireland, triumphing 1-0 at Fadil Vokrri.
Vojvoda exilePhoto/ Ridvan Sliva
Later, Franco Foda’s team was defeated 3-1 on a trip from Austria, while in the third match, held in Debrecen, it equalled with no goals against Israel.
The 4th match, the Daardians, took her back home, where they took a point in front of Austria after the 1-1 draw.
Thus, in the first four matches, Kosovo has won a victory, two drawbacks and a loss, collecting five points, two of these matches have been held at home, while two others on the journey.
Kosovo-AustriaPhoto/ Ridvan Sliva
Last two matches
Kosovo has two games left to complete the group phase. Initially, on November 14, therdians will receive Israel home, while three days later, on November 17, they will travel to confront the Republic of Ireland.
These two games may determine which team will take second position in the group and will therefore continue its journey into the subsequent phase of the League of Nations.
For Kosovo, the goal is clear: get as many points as possible on the last two confrontations. A victory over Israel would lead the team to eight points and would give a much better position before the last match in Dublin.
If therdians managed to win both matches, they would close the 11-point group phase and ensure their second position.
Even a win and a draw would take Kosovo to nine points, while in the event of a draw with Israel, the latest match against Ireland would take even more weight.
Kosovo NationalPhoto/ Ridvan Sliva
Foda: We must win both matches
The importance of the last two matches has also highlighted Kosovo’s selective Franco Foda, who has made it clear that the team’s goal is to take full scores.
Next two games we have to win to secure our second position. Our players haven’t had many minutes on their teams. We need the best rhythm of the game, and for that we need players to play more in their teams, Foda has said.
The German selector has also placed special emphasis on the players’ pace, as a part of Kosovo football players are not taking enough minutes with their clubs.
For Foda, this is an issue that can affect the representative’s appearances.
In this situation, the two November matches will be crucial. Kosovo will have the upper hand in facing Israel, while it will play on travel towards Ireland.
Kosovo NationalPhoto/ Ridvan Sliva
Sort before the last two matches
At the helm of the B3 Group is Austria with 8 points, followed by Kosovo with 5, while Ireland also scores 5 points, Israel is last with 2 points.
Kosovo currently holds the second position, but the difference with Ireland is minimal. For this reason, the last two matches will be crucial to the dardians.
With Israel at home and Ireland on the trip, Kosovo is clear on the challenges facing it in the last two matches.
Gent Aslan and Edon Zegrova Photo/ Ridvan Sliva
Two victories would ensure a favourable position in the race for second place, while any other outcome would keep the fight open for the position until the end of the group phase. /Telegraphy/