1971 – 1972 | National Football Championship (Part One)!

1971-1972 Championship Season. 1972 is the year of Shkodran football with Vllaznina, who won not only the championship title but also the Cup of the Republic. The success of this team coincides with those of the great Dutch team "Ajax" which had begun to dominate the world arena with total football. So we said – it pertains to a period of time, while to make such a comparison between Vllaznis and Ajax v. 1972, of course, a self-control of emotions is needed. Anyway, in order to get to the title, Shkodra went through a difficult road to the top of Albanian football with a double victory. In the period 1971-1972, after a quarter of a century, the cup and the championship returned to the first winners – the football players of Vllaznise. And this happens after all those fluctuations that this team had during the national championships, including for one year the drop in the second category. After that, the Shkodrans gave convincing evidence that they were climbing higher and higher. We will try with the help of this piece of writing to manage to describe the progress and stages of this edition of the championship that took place with the participation of 14 teams, hoping at the same time to convey as little emotion and excitement as possible in the readers' memory. 17 November and Partizani set the tone in the first weeks of this championship. In the 10th week, the team wins against Partizan and loses 2 points from it. And when Partizan draws 1-1 with Skenderbeu and on November 17 they beat Traktor 2-0, increasing the points difference to three with Partizan, that's when Vllaznise's ascent begins (November 17, 19 and Partizan 16 points); After the festive period of the new year 1972, the teams descend on the field on January 9 to develop the 12th week. The following results are achieved: Dinamo 4-1 Lokomotiva / Tomorri 2-2 Labinoti / Studenti 1-1 Luftetari Flagurtari 0-2 Vllaznia / Besa 0-0 Partizani / Skanderbeu 1-1 17 November. There are 4 draws in the six games played. 15 goals were scored. We lead the group on 17 November with 20 points, followed by Dinamo, Vllaznia and Partizani with 17 points. While Shkendija – Tractor took place one day later… The card match was in Kavaje where everything ended with 0-0 intact nets. This meeting was awaited with a lot of interest also due to the fact that these two teams have always held meetings of a good technical-tactical level between them. And that's how this match turned out, the good physical preparation of the players from both teams, positive side and efficient game, where in the tactical plan "Besa" acted right by attacking from the wings through Kasham but without being able to score because the goalkeeper Lelaj managed to solve some dramatic moments quite well, such as the one in the 61st minute (Karriqi), but also some other times thanks to the good defense of his friends, such as the form of Cani and S. Berisha. Considering the height of the partisan defenders (Berisha above all), the crosses in the center did not give results. Based on the opportunities created, Besa had to win. Partizan trusts the quick counterattack with Bajko, Pano and Shaqiri. It should be mentioned that the defensive departments of the teams were at the right height, they fought hard for the first ball and correctly. The match took place on a rough ground and this was another fact that prevented the players from showing the full extent of their preparation. Besa: Feshti, Mullaliu, Kapidani, Hushi, Dyla, Mili, Kashami, Karriqi, Merhori, Pagria, Bishtaja Tr.: Muhamet Vila Partizani : Lelaj, Seferi, Berisha, Cako, Cani, Thaka, Bajko, (Kalluci), Xhafa, Shehu, Pano, Shaqiri (Ziu) Tr.: Bekjush Birce The judges of a trio from Volonia, mainly Faik Bajram of the international category. There were two red cards respectively for Kariqi e Bese and Cakko e Partizani. What about the others? Dinamo reaps the deepest victory of the week by beating Lokomotiv 4-1. As the result shows, the locals played better not only in terms of mobilizing the fight for the first ball, but they also had an advantage in terms of physical, technical and tactical preparation. Authors of the goals were Pernaska 28` and 56`, Ibershimi 38`, Xhafa 71`. The goal of the friends was scored by Puka with a shot from a distance, finding the Dynamo goalkeeper Rama by surprise. In Vlore, Vllaznia wins 2-0. The locals attacked from the beginning, bringing a lot of work to the Shkodra defense, which in one of these attacks made a mistake by giving Flamurtari the right to a penalty kick that was successfully neutralized by goalkeeper Ndoja. It is the key moment of the match that affects the locals negatively. Shkodran understand and take advantage of the situation by scoring in the first half through Hoxha. The flag bearer, even though he only takes it again, does not achieve the desired result. The attempts of Vlonjat are numerous even in the second half, so much so that Ndoja is forced to intervene 5-6 times within the space of 17 minutes. Zilja, Saraci try for the locals, but Ndoja is not passed, and on the contrary, it will be Vllaznia that scores again through Rakic precisely in the last 5 minutes after a quick counterattack, 0-2! With all the bad weather and the rain that fell throughout the match, the meeting in Korce between Skanderbeg and the leader on November 17 was attended by a large number of spectators. In the first 45 minutes, the locals, where they played with a lot of energy, forced the players from the capital to play with a tight defense. Korcar attackers, helped by the other departments of the team, created several scoring opportunities, such as Dhembi hitting the post. While the friends were based on the counter-attacking game through Hykes, who in a case where he was alone with the goalkeeper Kaci was not able to score the advantage in the night. In the second half, the scoring of the goal by Skanderbeu through Xambazi, seems to have had a positive effect on the game of the friends who attacked for the draw. That's how they try with Hyka, they also hit a post with Kazanxhiu but… the result doesn't change. Three minutes before the end of the game, Frasheri shoots a penalty kick. The ball is directed to the penalty area and there Shehu, who has replaced Dibre, solves the problem in his favor in front of the Korca goal by scoring the tying goal, 1-1! While for the other two matches, it can be said that: Student and Warrior, who share the penultimate and last place respectively, played in the "Dinamo" stadium, were of a weak level. Krantja scored the goal, giving the first point to his friends from Gjirokastri, who had remained at 0 after 1100 minutes of play! In Berat, Tomorri and Labinoti score 4 goals in half an hour of the first half. In the second half, it was not marked because the teams were more guarded and "agreed" with the draw of a match that the locals of Tomorri played better. The first phase is over! With the 13th week, the number of first matches is also closed, leaving the date of January 30, 1972 for the start of the second phase. After 13 games, 17 November is in the lead without defeat with 22 points, followed by Vllaznia and Partizani with 19 points each. Dinamo, which has scored more goals than the others in this phase (27), is 1 point behind (18) in 4th place. So Besa follows the four major Albanian football teams with 16 points, ranked 5th. At the bottom of the table are Tomorri and Luftetari with 3 points won during the entire first phase and Student closes the ranking even worse than the other two, with 1 point!!! We highlight the results: Labinoti 1-1 Dinamo; Luftari 1-0 Tomorri Partizani 2-0 Flagurtari; Vllaznia 2-0 Studenti and 17 November – Besa Saturday 15 January In Elbasan Labinoti achieved his 8th draw within one stage and repeated the long history of draws between him and Dinamo. Even though they entered the field mobilized, the people of Elbasan tried to give everything on the field, but they still did not go further than the draw. This time too, they were determined to win and this was seen in the beautiful game they played, especially in the first half. The lead of the locals was broken in the first minutes of the second half by the friends who hit the post with a quick counterattack. A few minutes later, the Elbasanas create scoring opportunities…but it will be Dynamo that opens the series of their attacks. Ceco misses a clear chance, but is quickly corrected by Pernaska, who takes advantage of a cross from the right and scores with a header. Labinoti dams. In the 63rd minute, Himci, who stood out throughout the match, executes a fine penalty kick and Rudi scores 1-1. After the draw, dynamos give momentum to the game, forcing the goalkeeper Bakalli to make difficult interventions. From here, a dialogue begins between the local attack and friendly defense. Three more scoring opportunities were created for Labinoti, but Himci, N. Hysi and Rudi were not able to change the numbers of the 1-1 draw. Spectators saw a strong game and a Dynamo that worked better tactically. Fair and correct action by the defenders of Labinot who covered Cecon and Pernasken from close range. January 16, After two consecutive draws, Partizan ended the last meeting of the first phase with a beautiful finish, defeating Flamurtar 3-0, after a satisfactory technical-tactical level. Organized and harmonious actions were performed from the defense in the middle of the field and the attack. His game grew from minute to minute until in the second half he was ahead in every direction. Pano is distinguished by the "embroidery" of several balls that he passed to his friends. While Flamurtari in the last two meetings put a stop to climbing in the rankings. The first half with all the opportunities created by Partizan ended in a 0-0 draw, while in the second half they scored: 46` Xhafa, 55` Pano with a header and 66` Shaqiri In Shkoder at the "Vojo Kushi" stadium, Vllaznia scores the victory of its 7th, defeating Student 2-0. In each part of the game they scored one goal. In the 20th minute, Bizi after a bomb shot in the triangle and in the 55th Rakiqi with a header ensures the 2-0 victory. Vlaznia is now on the rise. In "Qemal Stafa", which is full, the match takes place on November 17 – Besa. The first 45 minutes unfold with many emotions. Both teams were mobilized, playing hard with a great desire for victory. The spectator becomes a witness of the match with a fluid game with attacks and counterattacks. The kavaja's friends left the cic-mici and the numerous endless passes. The natives persevere more and miss two or three good chances to score. In the 18th minute, the locals score with Llambit after a quick counterattack. The Cavaliers also lost some chances through Dizdar…Hyka e Llambi also lost clean chances, closing the first 45 minutes 1-0 on November 17. On the contrary, in the second half, the pace of the game dropped, perhaps because energy was spent in an irrational manner in the first half. The game became messy and was limited to only a few beautiful pieces, even the deductions were "rall and per malle". So after the end of the 90 minutes, the locals get two valuable points, maintaining the distance from Vllaznia and Partizani, as well as deepening it with Dinamo restrained in Elbasan. To mention, there are two reactions of the players from the capital, Frasher makes a mistake towards the opponent and asks for forgiveness, while the second stands out with the arrogant and abusive behavior of Hykes, who complains and protests endlessly to the referee (and strangely it seems that a tradition will to be created in this team where special players have transmitted to each other for generations unpleasant behavior worthy of professional athletes) Continues with other parts………… __________________________ Sports Vision / Hour of Champions – March 2021 In the construction of the text, uses basic information extracted from Sporti Popullor newspaper, personal collection 1972.