Sukaj edges Greece towards exit
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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Albania 1-1 Greece
Xhevahir Sukaj's equaliser left Greece needing a minor miracle if they are to qualify from Group 1.
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Victory vital
Albania needed a win to keep their own slender hopes alive, but went a goal down after 26 minutes. Lazaros Christodoupulos rounded a number of home defenders before beating goalkeeper Enea Koliqi, who plays in the Greek league with Iraklis FC. However, midfielders Sukaj and Gilman Lika kept Albania in contention. A foul on Brian Filipi earned the hosts a 65th-minute free-kick on the edge of the Greece box which Lika delivered for Sukaj to head home. Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, leaving Greece five points behind second-placed Croatia with only six points to play for. Albania, meanwhile, have no chance of qualifying.