Albania - 3 Russia - 1 Albania, who meet Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland team on Wednesday, revived their chances of qualifying for Euro 2004 after scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to beat Russia 3-1 on Saturday.
Midfielder Altin Lala dribbled past half the Russian defence to put the home side 2-1 in front on 80 minutes before Russia's goalkeeper Sergei Ochinnikov failed to hold an Igli Tare header and the forward stuck the loose ball into the net.
Ochinnikov saved a penalty from Albania's Klodian Duro before Albania striker Altin Raklli opened the scoring on 20 minutes after the goalkeeper deflected a shot from Ervin Skela.
Russia squandered chances until the 77th minute when substitute Andrei Karayka fired home. Just when it looked like Albania would let the game slip away, as has happened so often in the past, Lala gave them the lead.
Albania's coach Hans-Peter Briegel was pleased with the response of his players after his first match in charge, "The team deserved to win because they concentrated from the first minute to the 90th and they did not lose heart after giving away a penalty."
Albania showed a vast improvement from their 4-1 thrashing by Russia in Volgograd but the former Germany international cautioned that they must now concentrate on Ireland. He said: "As the team of a small country we should not be looking at the overall situation of the group but the next match with Ireland, who have got some stronger points than the Russians."
ALBANIA: Strakosha, Aliaj, Beqiri, Cipi, Klodian Duro, Hasi, Lala, Murati (Bellaj 68), Skela (Deded 84), Tare, Rraklli (Myrtaj 70). Subs Not Used: Beqaj, Albert Duro, Dragusha, Shkembi. Goals: Rraklli 30, Lala 79, Tare 83.
RUSSIA: Ovchinnikov, Ignashevitch, Nizhegorodov, Smertin (Yanovsky 73), Gusev (Beschastnyrt 55), Semak, Loskov, Aldonin, Tochilin (Kariaka 46), Beschastnykh, Kerzhakov. Subs Not Used: Mandrykin, Vasili Berezutsky, Solomatin, Popov. Booked: Nizhegorodov. Goal: Kariaka 76.
Referee: Paul Allaerts (Belgium)
