Prishtina wins the opening-round derby against Ballkani

Prishtina has won the headline match of the opening round of Kosovo’s top-flight football league against Ballkani. The “Blue and Whites” beat Suhareka’s Ballkani 4:2 in front of their fans at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Prishtina.

In addition to the six goals, the match also featured numerous scoring chances and a red card.

The first half ended with Prishtina leading 3:1. Albin Krasniqi scored twice at the start of the match. First, he made it 1:0 in the 10th minute, then doubled the lead after around 20 minutes of play. Ballkani got back into the game with a penalty scored by Valentin Serebe, who had won it himself. But the team led by coach Orges Shehi, who replaced Alban Dragusha in the coaching role, did not give up and scored another goal to go into the break more comfortably. Former Malisheva player Assane Diatta made it 3:1 in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. Just after the second half began, Engjëll Ajazaj scored to make it 3:2 and reopen the contest. But Ivica Batarelo’s red card affected the outcome. Batarelo illegally stopped Diatta as he entered the danger area, and after reviewing the incident on VAR, referee Genc Nuza sent him off. Kastriot Selmani scored from the free kick in the 63rd minute, with the help of a deflection. It was Selmani’s first goal on his debut. Diatta also made a successful debut. Both of them ended their first match with goals. There were also several scoring opportunities before the end of the match, but no more goals.

Ballkani hit the crossbar twice, once in each half, through Toni Domgjoni.

This season’s edition is expected to be closely contested, with many teams involved in the title race.