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Albania's Kuže talks up Luxembourg encounter

Josip Kuže says Albania must be wary for "our most important game of the qualifiers" as they look to repeat the victory they recorded the last time they hosted Luxembourg.

Edmond Kapllani (left) scored three times against Luxembourg in June 2007
Edmond Kapllani (left) scored three times against Luxembourg in June 2007 ©AFP

Luxembourg travel to face UEFA EURO 2012 Group D rivals Albania still looking for a first goal against their hosts after three previous encounters.

Team news
• Josip Kuže looks set to play two up front with Hamdi Salihi ready to start having recovered from a hamstring injury following the 1-1 draw in Romania. "We got what we came for in Romania," said Kuže. "It was great, but we have to come home and not be euphoric, but be ready to play what I consider to be our most important game of the qualifiers. Luxembourg will come to Tirana for the same reason we went to Romania and if we are not ready they can steal a point or more."

Albania squad
Goalkeepers: Arjan Beqaj (Olimpiakos Nicosia FC) , Isli Hidi (KS Dinamo Tirana), Samir Ujkani (Novara Calcio)
Defenders: Andi Lila (SK Tirana), Armend Dallku (FC Vorksla Poltava), Kristi Vangjeli (FC Aris Thessaloniki) Ansi Agolli (Qarabağ FK) , Admir Teli (Qarabağ FK), Lorik Cana ( Galatasaray AŞ), Endrit Vrapi (KS Skënderbeu), Debatik Curri (Gençlerbirliği SK)
Midfielders: Ervin Bulku (HNK Hajduk Split), Ervin Skela (no club), Klodian Duro (LASK Linz), Jahmir Hyka (Panionios GSS), Gilman Lika (Diyarbakırspor), Emiljan Vila (KS Dinamo Tirana), Gjergj Muzaka (KS Dinamo Tirana)
Forwards: Erjon Bogdani (AC Cesena), Hamdi Salihi (SK Rapid Wien) , Elis Bakaj (KS Dinamo Tirana), Edmond Kapllani (FC Augsburg), Ahmet Jonuzi (FC Vorksla Poltava)

• Luxembourg opened with a 3-0 home defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina and coach Michel Ney will once again be without injured captain Jeff Strasser, though Ben Payal is back from suspension.

Luxembourg squad
Goalkeeper: Jonathan Joubert (F91 Dudelange), Marc Oberweis (AS Jeunesse Esch)
Defenders: Massimo Martino (FC RM Hamm Benfica), Guy Blaise (Royal Excelsior Virton), Ante Bukvić (FC Differdange 03), Eric Hoffmann (AS Jeunesse Esch), Kim Kintziger (FC Differdange 03), Kevin Malget (TSV Alemannia Aachen), Tom Schnell (Racing FC Union Lëtzebuerg)
Midfielders: René Peters (AS Jeunesse Esch), Mario Mutsch (FC Metz), Gilles Bettmer (FC Differdange 03), Ben Payal (F91 Dudelange), Lars Gerson (Kongsvinger IL), Matthias Jänisch (FC Differdange 03), Tom Laterza (CS Sedan Ardennes), Joël Pedro (CS Sedan Ardennes)
Forwards: Daniel Alves da Mota (F91 Dudelange), Stefano Bensi (F91 Dudelange), Dan Collette (AS Jeunesse Esch), Joël Kitenge (CS Fola Esch), Naby Twimumu (FC Swift Hesper)

Match background
• Albania's record in three games against Luxembourg reads W2 D1 L0 (W1 D0 L0 at home).

• Their two most recent encounters came in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2008, with Albania winning the opening engagement 2-0 in Tirana on 2 June 2007 thanks to goals from Edmond Kapllani and Altin Haxhi.

• The teams crossed paths again at the Josy Barthel stadium in Luxembourg four days later, and this time Albania triumphed 3-0 courtesy of a Kapllani double and a goal from Ervin Skela.

• Although they have yet to muster a single strike against Albania, Luxembourg did at least record a 0-0 draw with their upcoming opponents in a friendly game in Hesperange on 13 February 2002.

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