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Dinamo hold on for Albanian glory


Written by: Soccerway Bookmark and Share
2008-05-23 20:13:33

Fans watching a match on TV
  Fans watching a match on TV
KS Dinamo Tirana won their first Albanian title since 2002 after defeating the only side that could overhaul them, second-placed FK Partizani, 2-1 in their final-day game, despite playing almost the entire second half with just nine players.

Partizani could have overtaken their rivals with victory but could not make their numerical advantage count while the game was locked at 1-1 and ended up conceding an added-time goal that finished off their chances of claiming the Kategoria Pare title. Dinamo opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Partizani defender Paulin Dhembi brought down Croatian forward Pero Pejiæ and Italian referee Paul Tagliavento did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Dinamo's Bekim Kuli converted the subsequent penalty.

However, Partizani equalised in the 32nd minute after central defender Tefik Osmani headed in from a corner. Dinamo were reduced to ten men eight minutes after half-time when Artim Polozani was shown a straight red for fouling goalkeeper Orges Shehi. Two minutes later, Dinamo's goalscorer Kuli also received his marching orders for a bad tackle from behind.

Despite playing with nine men, Dinamo held on relatively comfortably knowing that a point would hand them the championship. However, they ended up going one better and scoring the game's only other goal – a 93rd-minute effort from substitute Nertil Ferraj to confirm their title triumph.




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