Albania round-up: Partizani dance to samba beat

KF Partizani moved to within three points of leaders SK Tirana with a 5-0 win against KS Apolonia.

Brazilian style
Partizani took full advantage of Tirana's goalless draw at bottom side KS Teuta with a little help from their Brazilian contingent at the Qemel Stafa stadium. Carioca opened the scoring after just two minutes, and an own goal from Ervin Ziu doubled their advantage nine minutes later before another Brazilian, Marcelo Brachini, made it 3-0 after 25 minutes. Gjergji Muzaka made a stand for Albanian players with a fourth goal after 73 minutes, but Geraldinho scored a fifth to add a further touch of South America to the victory.

Late goal
KS Vllaznia remain just a point behind Partizani in third place after a Skerdi Bejzade goal nine minutes from time earned them a 1-0 win at KF Erzeni, but fourth-placed KS Shkumbini slipped up with a 1-1 draw at home against champions KS Dinamo Tirana. Daniel Xhafa gave Dinamo the lead after 38 minutes, but an Eriol Merxha equaliser eleven minutes into the second half was not enough to inspire a Shkumbini revival.

Joy for Besa
Fifth-placed KS Flamurtari fared even worse as they lost 2-0 at KS Besa. With Besa playing in Lushnja while work is carried out on their home stadium in Kavaje, Perparim Daiu opened the scoring with a 17th-minute penalty before Parid Xhihani's strike ten minutes into the second half sealed a fine victory.

Zjambo strike
KS Bylis are also playing their home games on strange territory this season, and having moved to Patos last week following a spell playing in Gjirokaster, the Ballsh side won 1-0 against KS Elbasani thanks to January Ziambo's 23rd-minute goal.