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Chi-Chi-Chi: Don't ignore the free gift on ITV this summer

Chile are coming to our televisions, and we'd be fools to miss out.

It’s not a big tournament summer. The domestic season is long finished, the international break is over, and the fixtures for the next Premier League campaign were announced today, allowing football fans the opportunity to dream of what might be, come May 2018. That’s it. No senior, elite level football to be watched for weeks, it seems. Maybe bored lovers of the beautiful game will want to dip their toe in the Lions tour of New Zealand, catch the end of the ICC Champions Trophy or simply wait until it’s time for those annual cries of “come on Tim”. However, they’d be foolish to detach from football, just yet.

That jam-jar of a competition, forced on to the calendar so tightly by FIFA, with seemingly no likelihood of being removed for the sake of players hoping for a summer off, is ready to go. The Confederations Cup will kick off in Saint Petersburg on Saturday, as hosts Russia take on 2016 OFC Nations Cup winners New Zealand. This tournament rarely catches the media spotlight, despite some rather open and exciting tournaments in recent years, and is ignored by many British football fans. This is both a plea and recommendation, however, to do the opposite this summer, and lap up the coming terrestrial television gift that is the Chile national team.

One day, I’ll write an elongated love letter about this side. Ever since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, I’ve been captivated by them. Their style is no doubt one for the footballing romantics. Goals, goals, goals, Gegenpressen on steroids, a leaky defence, world class superstars and the tummy-tingly suspense of never knowing what might happen when they play. They have a unique identity, that rare thing in modern-day international football. And they’ll be desperate to lift the trophy this summer.

The seeds of this side were first planted at the 2007 under-20 World Cup in Canada, when a team containing Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal finished in 3^rd place. Those two are no doubt the stars of the current side, but there are essential players throughout, not least Claudio Bravo, Eduardo Vargas and Gary Medel, all players somewhat maligned in England. The core of this under-20 team broke a 12 year absence from the World Cup when they made it to South Africa in 2010, but after progressing out of Group H, they were comfortably beaten by Brazil in the last-16. They had 3 key men suspended that disappointing day, but the style was well in place for the future. And whose style was it? Marcelo Bielsa, no less, and it’s he who must take a serious amount of credit for what came after his 3 year tenure ended in 2010.

Not an easy job to walk into, Jorge Sampaoli secured 3^rd place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for Brazil 2014, and a second successive finals appearance for this generation. They were, however, drawn in the Group of Death, with invincible holders Spain, the Netherlands and Australia. I remember the excitement the evening of their opener, against the Socceroos, vividly. The first half-hour was a relentless gush of super-Chile, and they raced into a 2-0 lead. A big score looked likely, but perhaps their biggest defensive frailty, height (or lack of), was highlighted when Tim Cahill pulled one back via a headed goal. Chile went on to win 3-1, but it was the next match against Spain that really caught the eye, as classy goals from Carles Aranguiz and Vargas saw the world champions dumped out the competition.

They should have secured top spot, and a date with Mexico, but defeat to the Dutch left a mouth-watering showdown against the hosts in what turned out to be a gripping contest. Sadly, and typically heart-breaking, it was penalties that saw Chile exit, but it could have been so different had Mauricio Pinilla not agonisingly crashed a shot against the bar in extra time. There would be little time to lick wounds, though. In a years time, the Copa America was coming to Chile, and they had a date with destiny, in a competition that they'd remarkably never won.

Of course, the tournament had all the rollercoasters that associate with this team, from Vidal crashing his car in controversial circumstances, to a defensive horror-show in a 3-3 draw with Mexico. However, ultimately, the side held their nerve in the knockout stages, and the late 1-0 win over a dogged Uruguay side was key. An edgy win over Peru in the last 4 meant a date with Lionel Messi and co in the final in Santiago. It was penalties again, but this time Chile won, claiming their first ever silverware and fulfilling surely the ultimate goal of this generation. The penalty that clinched it epitomised this team - Sanchez, under all the pressure in the world, dinking a Panenka past Sergio Romero.

The Copa Centenario in 2016 again had the mix of good, bad and ugly, in the excessive Chile ways. Only a penalty in the 10^th minute of stoppage time against Panama helped them out the group, before a simply astonishing 7-0 demolition of a solid Mexico team in the last 8. Colombia were seen off inside the first 15 minutes of the semis, and then history repeated itself in New Jersey in the final, when penalties again clinched the gold medal over Argentina. Famously, Messi retired from the international game after this loss, but is now back in the fold. His current manager? Sampaoli, who’d left Chile before the 2016 Copa, initially for Sevilla.

He was replaced by Juan Antonio Pizzi, the latest man who to be set the task of maintaining this special team and their style. A second successive continental crown wasn’t a bad way to start, but a mixed 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign sees them in the 4^th, and final, automatic berth at present. Of course, it’s Argentina and Sampaoli who sit one place behind them, and a fascinating end to the qualification awaits.

Before that, though, is the Confederations Cup. For a nation so overjoyed to win that first continental crown in 2015, there'll be little need for motivation to reach for more gold in Russia. Their last warm-up game against Romania was a microcosm of this team; two sumptuous goals giving the South Americans a two-goal lead, before a rearguard collapse ended in a 3-2 defeat. The defensive importance of Medel was evident - Chile were ahead before his first-half dismissal.

In Russia this month, Europe will offer the main threat. Germany will always be contenders, and there’s no doubt a certain Mr Ronaldo will be keen to claim yet another career medal. The Germans and Chile are together in group B, along with Australia and a weak Cameroon, who the Chileans meet in their opener on Sunday. Entertainment is almost guaranteed - the averages for the 16 matches they've played over the course of the 2014 World Cup, and 2015 and 2016 Copa Americas read as 3 goals per game, and over 2 scored by Chile.

This side needs more dedicated to them than this all-to-brief assessment of the past decade There’s no doubt others have told this story, or parts of it, and in better ways. What I’m trying to get across is that this side are a pure pleasure to watch, gripping, and unpredictable. And you’d be foolish to miss out on the free offerings on your TV this summer. 

Kosovo announce Turkey and Senegal friendlies

Kosovo have confirmed May matches with Turkey and Senegal as they make the most of FIFA's allowance for them to play friendlies with their members.

The Kosovo team before the Haiti game

They will play the Euro 2008 semi-finalists in Mitrovica on the 21st before travelling to Geneva on May 25th where they will face the Senegalese.

The northern city of Mitrovica was home to the 0-0 with Haiti last month and the historical ties with Turks and Albanians make the game a fairly predictable one. 

Senegal are preparing for the 2015 African Cup of Nation qualifiers and the game in Switzerland, a country home to an estimated 150,000 Kosovar emigrants, should attract a big crowd.

The Kosovo squad is expected to be similar to the one that played last month though Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj could feature after his father Abedin is reported to have said "my son will play for Kosovo or Turkey".

Groups drawn for maiden ConIFA World Football Cup

The draw for the first ConIFA World Football Cup took place today with hosts Sápmi meeting Occitania and Abkhazia in group B.

The 12 competing teams

VIVA World Cup holders Kurdistan are alongside Aramean Suryoye and Tamil Eelam in group A, with group C to be contested by Padania, Quebec and Darfur.

Group D, arguably the easiest looking pool, will feature Zanzibar, Nagorno-Karabakh and Ellan Vannin.

The hosts squad is anticipated to be extremely strong  with Club Brugge defender Tom Høgli expected to play. The Lapland side have meet the Occitans twice before, most recently in 2012 when they lost 3-2.

Group A is an all Asian affair which will be dominated by the Kurds and 2008 VIVA World Cup runners-up Aramean Suryoye. The sides met in 2008 drawing 0-0.

In Group C none of the teams have previous meetings but 2012 VIVA World Cup whipping boys Darfur could be on the end of some heavy scorelines against the powerful duo of Padania and Quebec.

The final group is perhaps the most open with each side likely to fancy their chances of making the quarter-finals. The full fixture list will be published next week.

After the draw Aramean Suryoye FA president Melke Alan said "it's tough but it's good to play the hard teams [Kurdistan]". Sapmi FA president Håkan Kuorak was equally positive saying "I expect us to be better than Abkhazia for sure".

Full draw - 

Group A: Kurdistan, Aramean Suryoye & Tamil Eelam.
Group B: Sapmi, Occitania & Abkhazia.
Group C: Padania, Quebec & Darfur.
Group D: Zanzibar, Nagorno-Karabakh & Ellan Vannin.

Monaco confirm May trip to Rome for Vatican friendly

Monaco will travel to Rome on May 10th to face the Vatican City as the two microstates meet for the fourth time.

Both teams after the game last summer

The game will take place at 20:00 at the Stadio Petriano in Pontificio Oratorio San Pietro, the Vatican's sport complex, which plays host to Vatican domestic matches.

With no pitch within the Holy See the smallest nation in the world play ‘home’ games in Rome with both a 2-1 defeat to Monaco in 2011 and 0-0 draw 9 years previous coming at the Stadio Pio XII.

The Vatican travelled to the French Riviera for a first away game last June as they went down 2-0 after first-half goals from Morgan Escarras and Eric Fissore.  

Monaco have stepped up their non-FIFA activity over the last 18 months playing games, both of which ended in defeat, against Raetia and Provence.

The win over the Vatican was their last outing and they will travel to the Isle of Man in April as the opposition for the newly formed Manx Ellan Vannin team.

The Monegasque also have plans for an August game with Sealand and potentially Seborga after the Italian micronation recently founded a new football organisation. 

Gibraltar to host Malta in June

Gibraltar will host Malta in a friendly on June 4^th as the new UEFA members look to prepare for their first European Championship qualification campaign later this year.

The sides will meet for the first time

The game will likely take place at the Victoria Stadium which was the venue for Gibraltar’s back-to-back defeats to the Faroe Islands and Estonia earlier this month.

With the Estádio Algarve in Faro, Portugal Gibraltar's home ground for the European Championship qualifiers there's a chance the game could be played there.

The non-FIFA side travel to Tallinn on May 26^th before the Maltese, who lost 2-0 to Albania in March, travel to the Mediterranean for a first meeting with Gibraltar. 

The Gibraltar Football Association no doubt see the game as an opportunity to gain a positive result on the back of the disappointing results during the last international break.

ConIFA World Football Cup draw set for Monday

The draw for the maiden ConIFA World Football Cup takes place on Monday in Sweden with the new non-FIFA governing body set to reveal the groups for the 12 competing teams.

The projected seeding for the draw

ConIFA World President Per-Anders Blind will conduct the draw in the southern Sami city of Östersund, which will stage the finals, alongside organisation CEO Johan Bexelius.

Of the 12 participants 8 have played at a VIVA World Cup before with Quebec, Ellan Vannin, Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh the exceptions.

Hosts Sapmi, winners of the first VIVA World Cup in 2006, will be in pot one after each competing association agreed on a seeding system which will see 3 groups of 4 play out before quarter-finals, semi’s and placement games.

2012 VIVA World Cup winners Kurdistan are expected to join them in the first pot alongside 3-time VIVA champions Padania and CAF members Zanzibar.

Pot two is expected to contain the Quebecois, 2013 Tynwald Hill Tournament winners Occitania and 2008 VIVA World Cup runners up Aramean Suryoye.

Nagorno-Karabakh will make up the second seeds despite the Azerbaijan FA complaining to FIFA about their participation.

The final pot is set to include Abkhazia, Darfur, Tamil Eelam and Ellan Vannin. The latter host Monaco in their first international in April and members of the Manx Independent Football Association will travel to Sweden for the draw.

Kurdistan, Aramean Suryoye and the hosts will also send delegations to the draw which is set to be conducted in the Jämtkraft Arena, home of Swedish second-tier side Östersunds FK, at 14:00 local time.

The tournament, which has in effect replaced the N.F.-Board’s VIVA World Cup, is set to be the largest non-FIFA event in history. It begins on June 1^st and concludes on the 8^th. We will be covering Monday’s draw via our Twitter service.

Plans taking shape for Micronesian Games on Pohnpei

The lineup for football at the 2014 Micronesian Games, which will be hosted on Pohnpei in July, is taking shape with 5 teams expected to feature.

The Pohnpei state squad after training last week

The Micronesian region is arguably the least developed and documented in terms of the sport and the event, set to take place from 20th to the 27th, will be the first football tournament in the games since 2001. 

3 of the states that make up Micronesia, Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei, contested that last event and the sides will again be in action this summer. Paul Watson, former manager of Pohnpei and Micronesia, has been on the island the last month preparing the team.

Palau are also expected to send a team. The island nation of just 20,000 people has only fielded a national side once when they lost 12-1 to the Northern Mariana Islands and 15-2 to Guam at the 1998 Micronesian Games.  

FA president and national team coach Charles Mitchell will draw his side from 15 or so Palauans playing in the PFA Adult League and at high school. The PFA hope to join East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) after communication with the OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) broke down.

EAFF members Guam, by far the strongest Micronesian team and the only FIFA side, were going to send a ‘C’ team but have since decided not to as their factious relationship with the Guam National Olympic Committee (GNOC) continues. 

The Guam FA isn't tied to their Olympic Committee in any way and they select players who wouldn't meet Olympic standards as there is no such thing as a Guam passport. The rift means there will be no football team at the games.

Despite this the Northern Mariana Islands contacted the tournament organisers last week enquiring about entering.  Also part of the EAFF the CNMI team made their Asian Football Confederation debut earlier this year having become associate members in 2009.

The location for the new pitch in Palikir

The level of opposition will probably suit the Blue Ayuyu’s more but they await news of the 2015 EAFF preliminary qualifiers, which are scheduled for July to August, before committing to sending a team.

OFC associate members Kiribati hoped to send a team but it seems increasingly unlikely due to a lack of finance. There was no interest from the Marshall Islands or Nauru.

The likely group of 5 will play out over the week at the College of Micronesia campus in Palikir. A new pitch is currently being built after the Japanese Embassy in Micronesia gave a grant of $120,000. 

The top 4 sides will then meet in the semi-finals before placement matches for the gold, silver and bronze medal positions. 

Guernsey to meet Jersey after 4-0 win on Alderney

Muratti holders Guernsey scored 3 goals in the opening 25 minutes as they ran out 4-0 winners at plucky Alderney in the semi final today.

Guernsey FC defender Mackay scored the 2nd

Alderney made a positive start to the game and in the 9^th minute Ross Benfield forced a save from Tom Creed, who was making his debut.

However in the 11^th minute the visitors took the lead when Guernsey FC midfielder Tom de la Mare fired beyond Jamie Leband.

Guernsey kept up the pressure and in the 18^th minute they doubled their lead as Angus Mackay took advantage of some slack defending.

With the visitors cruising Leband was forced into some smart saves. However with 25 minutes on the clock it was 3 when defender Tom Martin, making his international debut, finished coolly.

The windy conditions were having an effect on play and despite some further Guernsey pressure it was 3-0 at the break.

It took the Muratti holders 9 minutes to add another goal in the second half. Belgrave striker Craig Young, who has scored in Guernsey’s last 2 Muratti games, made it 4-0 with a fine solo goal.

The relentless attacks continued and Mackay saw his effort splendidly tipped over by Leaband in the 69^th minute before Dave Rihoy shaved the bar with 14 minutes to go.

Despite the permanent pressure Alderney held out for a respectable defeat, their best Muratti effort since 2010 and a best result against Guernsey since 2007.

The holders will travel to Jersey in May for the final. For Alderney a meeting with Sealand over the summer is likely.

Match information -
 

Score: Alderney 0 – 4 Guernsey

Goals: Tom de la Mare 11’, Angus Mackay 18’, Tom Martin 25’ Craig Young 54’

Alderney XI: Leband; Aldcroft, Foster, Vizard, Conancen, Atkins; Johns [Lawrence 71’], Benfield [Olliver 58’], McCormack; Stretton [Blackham 66’]; McCulloch.

Guernsey XI: Creed; D Martin [Larkin 59’], Mackay, Geall, T Martin; de la Mare, Bourgaize, Marley; Pereira, Young, Rihoy.

Alderney prepare for Muratti visit of weakened Guersney

A weakened Guernsey team travel to Alderney on Saturday for the annual Muratti semi-final.

The sides last met in the 2012 semi final

Steve Sharman’s visitors, who have won the last 2 finals against Jersey, have named 6 players from club side Guernsey FC including Angus Mackay who will captain the team.

8 members of the squad are uncapped including 5 from Priaulx League side North. Striker Craig Young scored also plays at North and scored in last year’s final as well as the previous meeting with Alderney in 2012 which ended up 7-0 to the  visitors.

Simon Geall also scored in that Muratti semi-final trouncing and will feature on Saturday. Aside from the Muratti Guernsey have played little representative football since Guernsey FC were formed in 2011.

A side far from full strength lost out to both Jersey and the Isle of Man at the FA International Shield in Gibraltar in June 2012 a year after losing in the final of the Island Games on the Isle of Wight.

The club side, currently chasing promotion from the Ryman Division One South (8^th tier) in England, have left the representative side in second place in terms of footballing priority with large crowds watching the islands best players week in week out.

On the other hand their hosts have, somewhat surprisingly, become active in the non-FIFA scene ever since hosting Sealand in August 2012.

Last year the squad travelled to the Isle of Man for the Tywnald Hill Tournament and were competitive in a group containing club side hosts St Johns United and N.F.-Board members Raetia.

Having narrowly lost 3-2 to the Swiss side they then fell to a 2-1 defeat to the Sealanders in the 5^th-place match. The island play as a club in the Guernsey 2^nd-tier and warmed up nicely for the Muratti with a 6-1 win over Centrals last weekend.

Alderney at the Tynwald

Alderney lost last year’s semi 9-2 to Jersey, the first time they’d scored more than 1 goal in any game since 1961. Astonishingly they’ve won the Muratti before - a 1-0 win over Guernsey in 1920.

However their all-time record since their maiden Muratti appearance in 1907 is played 107, won 2, drawn 1 and lost 102, with the most recent of those victories coming in the 2003 Island Games.

Captain Andy Lawrence, on the subject of the weakened visiting team, told us “you could look at it as a bit disrespectful towards the Muratti but they have pumped a lot of money into GFC so I guess that is their priority now”.

He went on to say “we have a young squad which is pleasing. We are looking at the Island games in Jersey next year and hopefully we can arrange a few games against Sealand”.

All bar 3 of the Alderney squad are island-based. Defender Jason Atkins, striker Josh McCulloch and Ross Benfield all play amateur football in the UK with the latter pair studying at university.

Star player Josh Concanen plays semi-professionally in England for Tiverton Town, the same level as Guernsey FC, but was not released by his club.

After the game last year Jersey complained about having to travel to Alderney but Lawrence explained “it's crucial for the semi to stay here.  We don't have the money they have and that date is a huge part of our calendar - without it we would really struggle to survive”.

Improved Gibraltar slip to 2-0 Estonia defeat

Gibraltar produced a vastly improved performance as they were unlucky to lose 2-0 to Estonia this evening in only their 3rd game as a UEFA member.

Gibraltar competed well

Liam Walker, who missed the loss on Saturday, demonstrated his talent in the 9th minute when his quick feet beat 2 Estonia defenders before he curled a fine dipping effort just over Sergei Pareiko's goal.

Despite the positive start the visitors took the lead a minute later when Konstantin Vassiljev produced a fine through ball which David Artell missed, and Dmitri Kruglov easily prodded home for his 3rd Estonia goal.
 

Unlike the game on Saturday Gibraltar kept their heads up and in the 17th minute Segei Pareiko did well do deny Joseph Chipolina from distance.

 

8 minutes after that and Chipolina again went close, this time firing a clever Yogan Santos cross over the bar. 

The chance of the half for the hosts came in the 37th minute. Chipolina played in Ryan Casciaro down the right and his low cross found Robert Guilling who blasted over from close range.

The teams respect the anthems

Half time substitute Kyle Casciaro shot wide early in the second period as the non-FIFA side continued to press.

 

However the game lulled with both teams failing to break each other down as the half went on.
 

With 20 minutes to go Vassiljev went close from distance before Gibraltar's chance of the game, courtesy of a powerful Joseph Chipolina effort, was expertly saved by Pareiko.

 

In the 80th minute the Estonians secured the victory when substitute Sander Puri picked out Rimo Hunt inside the box and the Kazakhstan-based striker hit a fine first-time effort to make it 2-0.

Gibraltar will have one more friendly before the 2016 European Championship qualifiers get underway. They will travel to Tallinn for a rematch on May 26th.

Match information -
 

Score: Gibraltar 0 - 2 Estonia

 

Goals: Dmitri Kruglov 11', Rimo Hunt 80'

 

Gibraltar XI: Perez; R. Casciaro, Santos, Artell, Higginbotham [Reoch 88'], R. Chipolina; Payas [J-P Duarte 67'], J. Chipolina [Sergeant 90'], Guilling [D. Duarte 61']; Walker; Priestley [K. Casciaro 46'].

Kosovo draw with Haiti in historic first FIFA friendly

In their first friendly to be approved by FIFA Kosovo drew 0-0 with Haiti in difficult conditions in Mitrovica this afternoon.

Conditions were difficult in Mitrovica

Both teams struggled to get used to the boggy pitch during the early stages of the game, which were scrappy.

The Haitians were the first to generate a clear opening in the 27th minute but in a 4 on 3 situation Kervens Belfort's shot was blocked by Avni Pepa.

The hosts went straight up the other end and threatened, Albert Bunjaku only just beaten to Ilir Azemi's through ball by goalkeeper Dominique Jean-Zéphirin.

Kosovo were cranking up the pressure and had a great chance to take the lead just before the half hour mark.

Another fine Azemi pass found Shpëtim Hasani in space inside the box but the Örebro player, in an attempt to find Bunjaku, squared the ball straight to Mechack Jérôme.

Kristian Nushi fired over from distance before Azemi missed the best chance of the first half in the 38th minute. 

Enis Alushi burst down the left wing and put in a dangerous ball which Bunjaku missed. However Hasani, at the back post, pulled the ball back for Azemi but the Greuther Fürth striker saw his effort superbly blocked by Frantz Bertin.

The second half, much like the start of the first period, began in a cagey fashion with few chances created by either team.

With less than 15 minutes to go substitute Faton Toski, who plays in the 2. Bundesliga with FSV Frankfurt, curled a free kick inches wide of the top corner of Jean-Zéphirin's goal.

The Kosovo team

With both sides making a number of substitutes the game eventually died out though Jean-Eudes Maurice tested Samir Ujkani in the 89th minute.

Liridon Krasniqi went close at the other end in stoppage time but the non-FIFA side will ultimately be happy with a draw, as will new Haiti manager Marc Collat who could easily have lost his first game in charge.

Feasibly the Kosovars could be in action again this year. Albania, who only have one game lined up during the May/June international break, would be the most realistic option.

Match information -

Score: Kosovo 0 -0 Haiti

Kosovo XI: Ujkani; Pepa [Rexhepi 65'], Sadiku [Krasniqi 71'], Hasani, Raskaj; Perdedaj, Nushi, Gashi, Alushi; Bunjaku [Toski 71']; Azemi [Kastrati 57']

Gibraltar crash back down to earth with heavy Faroe Islands loss

The reality of UEFA international football dawned on Gibraltar tonight as they crashed to a 4-1 defeat at home to the Faroe Islands despite taking the lead through captain Roy Chipolina.
 

The teams line up for the anthems

The Faroes got off to a strong start, which would be the case during the whole first half, and after 5 minutes 19-year old Aalborg striker Gilli Sørensen headed wide from a good position.

The visitors were enjoying most of the ball but fell behind after 21 minutes when captain Roy Chipolina, who scored against the Faroese in 2011, was left unmarked at the far post to head home Joesph Chipolina's corner.

The goal was Gibraltar's first as a UEFA member but they failed to build on their lead and only 5 minutes alter former Newcastle United striker Jóan Símun Edmundsson equalised with a splendid left-footed effort from 25-yards out.

The game completely turned in the 31st minute. Captain Fróði Benjaminsen played in Christian Holst and the Silkeborg player saw his deflected shot fly beyond Jordan Perez to give the Faroes the lead with his fourth international goal.

Gibraltar were all at sea, stark contrast to their solid performance against Slovakia in November, and Ryan Casciaro cleared an effort off the line before the visitors were given the chance to extend their lead from the penalty spot in the 40th minute.

Joeseph Chipolina fouled Edmundsson but Benjaminsen, winning his 80th cap, fired the ball over the bar. It was a let off for the non-FIFA side who were lucky to go in at half time just 2-1 down after Holst missed 2 good opportunities.

Reece Styche challenges for the ball

Allen Bula made 3 changes at the break but the Faroes Islands heaped more misery on the hosts in the 59th minute when Hallur Hansson brought the ball down inside the box and beat Roy Chipolina before finishing past Perez. 
 

There was a rare chance for Gibraltar in the 65th minute when Aaron Payas, winning his first cap, volleyed wide. However it got worse for the hosts in 68th minute when Holst headed home Edmundsson's clever cross to make it 4.
 

Substitute Jean-Paul Duarte came close with 5 minutes to go but ultimately the night was one of disappointment and learning for Gibraltar.

They will be in action again in 4 days when they host Estonia, whose manager Magnus Pehrsson was in the stand today, with another 20:00 kick off. 

Match information -

Score: Gibraltar 1-4 Faroe Islands

Goals: Gibraltar - Roy Chipolina 21'. Faroe Islands - Jóan Símun Edmundsson 26', Christian Holst 31', 68', Hallur Hansson 59'

Gibraltar XI: Perez; Sergeant [K. Casciaro 46'], J.Chipolina [Artell 86'], Higginbotham, R Chipolina; R.Casciaro; Lopez [J-P. Duart 57'], Payas, D. Duarte [Priestly 46'], Guilling [Santos 46']; Styche [Hernandez 71']. 

Experienced internationals in Kosovo squad for Haiti game but Blatter says no to nationality switch

Albania goalkeeper Samir Ujkani and Swiss striker Albert Bunjaku are two of several big name players who've accepted the call up for Kosovo’s friendly with Haiti next week.

Bunjaku played in the 2012 World Cup

However FIFA president Sepp Blatter has privately told the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) that should they ever join the organisation players capped by other nations such as Xherdan Shaqiri cannot be called up.

The Haiti match, Kosovo’s first since FIFA permitted them to play their members, has been heavily documented after Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj rejected the offer to play in Mitrovica on Wednesday.

However Palermo goalkeeper Ujkani, a member of Sweden’s Euro 2012 squad, and Kaiserslautern captain Bunjaku have accepted the call up from the Football Federation of Kosovo.

Bunjaku played at the 2010 World Cup for Switzerland against Chile and teammate Enis Alushi, who was born in Mitrovica, is also in the squad which will be co-managed by former England assistant manager Tord Grip.

A big name who was set to feature against Haiti is Sweden midfielder Emir Bajrami. The Panathinaikos player, however, won't feature having picked up an injury.

A number of players from the Norwegian Tippeligaen have been called up, most notably Flamur Kastrati who won the 2013 title with Strømsgodset and was on course for a Norway cap after progressing through the youth teams.

Sandnes Ulf pair Avni Pepa and Anel Raskaj are also included with the latter having played 90 minutes in a 3-2 defeat in Kosovo’s last international against Albania in 2010.

Basle defender Taulant Xhaka was rumoured to feature but the FFK have said they didn't bother approaching any Swiss players currently involved in the national team with the World Cup in Brazil on the horizon. 

Shaqiri couldn't switch

Norway international Valon Berisha, who is enjoying a fine Europa League campaign with Red Bull Salzburg, was also tipped to play but is no longer likely to.

As the match isn’t between two FIFA nations players previously capped for other countries, such as Bajrami and Bunjaku, can play. However Sepp Blatter has privately told the FFK that should they ever join FIFA this will not be allowed.

The rules state that if a ‘new’ country is formed and join FIFA then players capped by the nation that went before it can switch allegiance (in this case Serbia) but not those who've played for other nations (such as Albania and Switzerland).

As a result Blatter has said that players such as Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami and Shaqiri, as well as Bajrami and Bunjaku, would never be able to switch nationality and play for Kosovo.

The FFK asked for a special intervention should they ever join but Blatter was firm. A cynical view would suggest that he doesn’t want his home nation Switzerland decimated by such a ruling.

However with Januzaj turning down the request and Shaqiri privately telling friends he would never stop playing for Switzerland perhaps the news is not as damaging as it could be.

Regardless Kosovo are a long way off FIFA membership and games such as the one against Haiti look like the only action they will see in the immediate future.

The choice of Mitrovica by the FFK as the location for the Haiti game, which has a strong Serbian stronghold in the north, has left the Football Association of Serbia unhappy but helpless.

A poster for the game

The city is divided with Partizan Kosovska Mitrovica from the north competing in the Serbian pyramid whereas Trepça, whose Adem Jashari stadium is the venue next week, play in the Kosovo Superleague.

Over 17,000 tickets have been sold for the game which kicks off at 15:00 local time (14:00 UK). The full Kosovo squad is expected to be named tomorrow.

Kosovo squad - 

Goalkeepers: Samir Ujkani (Palermo [Italy]), Kushtrim Mushica (FC Prishtina) and Julian Bibelaj (Eintracht Frankfurt II [Germany]).

Defenders: Avni Pepa (Sandes Ulf [Norway]), Loret Sadiku (Helsingborg [Sweden]), Lum Rexhepi (Honka [Finland]), Shkodran Metaj (Emmen [Netherlands]) and Shpëtim Hasani (Örebro [Sweden]).

Midfielders: Anel Raskaj ((Sandes Ulf [Norway]), Ardian Gashi (Helsingborg [Sweden]), Enis Alushi (Kaisrerslautern [Germany]), Enis Bunjaku (Eintracht Frankfurt II [Germany]), Fanol Prededaj (Energie Cottbus [Germany]), Faton Toski (FSV Frankfurt [Germany]), Flamur Kastrati (Strømsgodset [Norway]), Kristian Nushi (St. Gallen [Switzerland]) and Liridon Krasniqi (Fethiyespor [Turkey]).

Forwards: Alban Bunjaku (Sevilla Atlético [Spain]), Albert Bunjaku (Kaiserslautern [Germany]), Bersant Celina (Manchester City academy [England]) and Ilir Azemi (Greuther Fürth [Germany]).

Srpska team to face Udinese as they press FIFA for international opportunities

Republika Srpksa will send an age-capped team to Italy next week to face Serie A side Udinese as they continue to press FIFA for the right to play friendlies.

Srpska wish to have FIFA's approval to play friendlies

The entity will travel to Udine on 5^th March with a group of players, either under-21 or under 23, drawn from the Serbian, Montenegrin and Bosnian top-flight as well as other leagues in Europe.

Manager Branimir Tulić is expected to name a low-key squad drawn from different Balkan leagues with Vojvodina midfielder Nikola Popara and FK Leotar’s Stefan Udovičić likely to be included. Zoran Nikić, with 6 goals in the Bosnian top-flight this season for Radnik Bijeljina, could start in attack.

Tulić will name the squad this week just months after FIFA refused a request by the Football Association of Republika Srpska (FS RS) to play Serbia in a full senior friendly.

FIFA’s decision comes despite the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FF BiH) declaring in July last year that they have no objection to Srpska playing friendlies. The rejection also came at the same time FIFA allowed Kosovo to play.

Sepp Blatter visited the Serbian FA last summer and was reportedly supportive of such a game going ahead. Indeed FS RS president Mile Kovačević said at the time “the date of the game will be solved very soon, either August, September or October”.

Srpska have faced FIFA blockage before. In 2008 an under-19’s game against Serbia was cancelled as well as a proposed match with Macedonia.

The FS RS & FF BiH work together

Youth teams have recently been more accepted by FIFA however with the under-15 side meeting both Hungary and the Serbs in the past year gaining a creditable draw with the latter in November.

The FS RS have stated before that they do not want international recognition and want to remain part of the FF BiH but wish to be allowed to play friendly international matches once a year.

Allegedly several big name players have expressed interest in playing for a Srpska representative side including Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotić and Zdravko Kuzmanović of Internazionale. Chelsea’s Marco Marin, currently on loan at Sevilla, is another.

Gibraltar prepare for Faroes and Estonia double-header

Gibraltar will play as UEFA members for the second time on Saturday when they host the Faroe Islands before Estonia travel to the Mediterranean the following Wednesday.

Gibraltar met the Faroes in 2011

The non-FIFA members, who were dealt a tough Euro 2016 qualification draw on Sunday, will return to their Victoria Stadium having played the November draw with Slovakia Estádio Algarve in Portugal.

There are several new faces in the Gibraltar squad for the games including 7 overseas players. Among them Wycmobe Wanderers striker Reece Styche and Wrexham’s David Artell are in line for their first caps.

Gibraltar have in fact hosted the Faroes before in 2011. A slightly weakened visiting side went down 3-0 that day but goalkeeper Jordan Perez told us they won’t underestimate Saturday’s opponents “of course this time round will be a complete different story though we too are reinforced by English [based] players”.

The Faroes will undertake a training camp in Malaga after the match and manager Lars Olsen is expected to name promising Midtjylland  defender Sonni Nattestad in his squad as well as Motherwell goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen.

For the hosts former Portsmouth midfielder Liam Walker, who now plays in Israel with Bnei Yehuda, and Preston North End’s Scott Wiseman have only been released by their clubs for the Estonia match.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 20:00 (19:00 UK) and we will provide live updates via our Twitter service @NoNFIFAfootball.