Arbër Abilaliaj

Arbër Abilaliaj
Personal information
Date of birth (1986-06-06) 6 June 1986 (age 37)
Place of birth Vlorë, Albania
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2000–2002 Flamurtari Vlorë
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 Flamurtari Vlorë 21 (2)
2004–2008 Partizani 84 (24)
2008–2009 Besa Kavajë 21 (4)
2009–2010 Tirana 25 (6)
2010–2012 Inter Zaprešić 38 (10)
2012–2013 Tirana 14 (2)
2013–2015 Flamurtari Vlorë 47 (17)
2015–2016 Skënderbeu Korçë 0 (0)
International career
2001–2002 Albania U17 8 (4)
2003–2004 Albania U19 6 (2)
2005–2008 Albania U21 3 (2)
Managerial career
2020 Tirana U-21 (caretaker)
2021 Tirana U-21
2023 Partizani
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Arbër Abilaliaj (born 6 June 1986) is an Albanian football coach and a former player who played as a forward.[1][2]

Club career

Partizani Tirana

Abilaliaj previously played for Partizani Tirana, where he appeared as the club lost in the UEFA Intertoto Cup 2006 first round to Ethnikos Achna FC,[3] despite scoring a goal in the second leg.[4] While at Partizani, Abilaliaj had unsuccessful trials at FC Erzgebirge Aue and TuS Koblenz.[5][6]

Tirana

Abilaliaj announced his departure from Besa Kavajë and later signed a one-year deal with the reigning champions Tirana for the 2009–10 season.[7] His made his Tirana debut on 15 July in the first leg of Champions League first qualifying round against Stabæk, entering in the field as an 85th-minute substitute in an eventual 1–1 home draw.[8] In the returning leg, he played in the second half as the team were crashed 4–0 and was eliminated with the 5–1 aggregate.[9]

He made his domestic debut in the 2009 Albanian Supercup on 16 August, a 1–0 home win to Flamurtari Vlorë, in which he played full-90 minutes and scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute, giving the club its 8 Albanian Supercup title.[10][11] Abilaliaj played as a started in team's opening league match of the season, a 3–1 home defeat to Flamurtari Vlorë, in which he scored his team's only goal.[12] In the matchday 3 against Gramozi Ersekë, Abilaliaj was again in the scoresheet, scoring the only goal of the match to give Tirana another three important points.[13]

Abilaliaj played a total of 31 matches in all competitions, scoring 8 goals. He finished the league with 6 goals as Tirana was not able to retain its Albanian Superliga title.[14]

Return to Tirana

On 7 August 2012, Abilaliaj returned to Tirana by signing a one-year contract, and was given the vacant number 21 for the upcoming 2012–13 season.[15] He made his league debut for the club on 22 September 2012 during the 1–0 away win over Luftëtari Gjirokastër, appearing as a 75th-minute substitute for Mirel Çota.[16] On 21 November, he scored a hat-trick against Otranto during the friendly match valid for the Independence Cup.[17]

Later on 23 February of the following year, Abilaliaj scored his first league goal for Tirana during the 1–1 tie against Teuta Durrës; he netted the goal in 72nd minute exactly two minutes after entering in the field.[18] On 31 March, he scored his second league goal of the season during the 3–0 defeat of Kastrioti Krujë, heading home a Fatmir Hysenbelliu cross.[19]

Following the end of the season, where Tirana ended in 5th place, Abilaliaj left the team after failing to cement his place at starting lineup, ending the season with 17 appearances between league and cup, scoring twice in the process.[20]

Flamurtari Vlorë

On 26 August 2013, Abilaliaj signed a one-year deal with Flamurtari Vlorë, returning in his boyhood club after nine years.[21][22]

He made his return debut with the club on 6 November during the 2–0 win over Gramshi in Albanian Cup. In his first league appearance four days later against Lushnja, Abilaliaj came in a second-half substitute and scored a crucial goal in 91st minute to help his team to win the match 4–3.[23][24]

Two weeks later, Abilaliaj scored his third goal of the season during the 3–1 home defeat of Vllaznia Shkodër.[25] On 22 February of the following year, Abilaliaj scored his first goal of 2014 during the 3–2 away lose to Kukësi, heading home a Gilman Lika cross in the 85th minute.[26] Following the end of the match, Abilaliaj was sent immediately to the nearest hospital in Kukës after he had an abdomen problem, accompanied by vomiting. However, following the treatment from the doctors, he returned with the team to travel back to Vlorë.[26]

He continued with his solid appearances even in Albanian Cup, netting a winner against Vllaznia Shkodër in the Quarter-final's second leg, sending Flamurtari Vlorë into the semi-finals with the aggregate 1–0.[27] Following that, Abilaliaj scored his first brace of the season during the 2–4 away win over Lushnja, taking his tally up to five league goals, helping the club to win for the first time in Lushnje after 27 years.[28]

With the arrival of new head coach Stanislav Levý on 15 June 2015, Abilaliaj was not in his plans and was allowed to leave the club, which Abilaliaj himself officially announced on 17 June.[29]

Skënderbeu Korçë

He joined Albanian Superliga champions Skënderbeu Korçë shortly after leaving Flamurtari Vlorë, and he joined the rest of the squad at their pre season training camp in Flachau, Austria.[30]

International career

He was part of the Albania national football team during the 2008 UEFA European Cup qualifications, but he did not made a debut.[31]

Career statistics

As of 18 June 2015[20][32][33]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Flamurtari Vlorë 2001–02 Albanian Superliga 11 0 0 0 — — 11 0
2002–03 11 2 0 0 — — 11 2
Total 22 2 0 0 — — 22 2
Partizani Tirana 2004–05 Albanian Superliga 23 1 0 0 — — 23 1
2005–06 23 8 2 2 — — 25 10
2006–07 31 7 0 0 2[a] 1 — 33 8
2007–08 29 6 1 1 — — 30 7
Total 106 22 3 3 2 1 — 111 26
Besa Kavajë 2008–09 Albanian Superliga 21 3 5 2 — — 26 5
Total 21 3 5 2 — — 26 5
Tirana 2009–10 Albanian Superliga 25 6 3 1 2[b] 0 1[c] 1 31 8
Total 25 6 3 1 2 0 1 1 31 8
Inter Zaprešić 2001–02 Prva HNL 24 2 0 0 — — 24 2
2002–03 18 5 1 0 — — 19 5
Total 42 7 1 0 — — 47 7
Tirana 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 14 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 17 2
Total 14 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 17 2
Flamurtari Vlorë 2013–14 Albanian Superliga 20 12 6 2 — — 26 14
2014–15 28 5 3 0 3[d] 0 1[c] 0 35 5
Total 48 17 9 2 3 0 1 0 61 19
Skënderbeu Korçë 2015–16 Albanian Superliga 0 0 1 0 2[b] 0 1[c] 0 4 0
Total 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 4 0
Career total 278 59 25 8 9 1 3 1 319 69
  1. ^ All appearance(s) in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  2. ^ a b All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ a b c Appearance in Albanian Supercup
  4. ^ All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Club

Partizani Tirana[20]
Tirana[20]
Flamurtari Vlorë[20]
Skënderbeu Korçë[20]

References

  1. ^ "Besa Kavaje 2008-09". EUFO. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  2. ^ "KF Tirana 2009-10 Albanian Superliga". Football Datadase. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  3. ^ Haisma, Marcel. "UEFA Intertoto Cup 2006 - Match Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  4. ^ "Achnas survive scare to progress". UEFA. 24 June 2006. Archived from the original on 3 July 2006. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  5. ^ "Aue mistet Kader aus – Albaner im Probetraining" (in German). Focus. 23 May 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  6. ^ "Abilaliaj, dështon prova te Tus Koblenz" (in Albanian). Gazeta Albania. 8 August 2008. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  7. ^ "Abilaliaj është blerja e Tiranës" (in Albanian). Arkiva Lajmeve. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  8. ^ Fatjon Pandovski (15 July 2009). "Stabæk smiling after Tirana draw". UEFA.com. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  9. ^ "Swedes steal show for Stabæk". UEFA.com. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Tirana fiton Superkupën me rezultatin 1-0 ndaj Flamurtarit" (in Albanian). Arkiva Lajmeve. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  11. ^ "Tirana 1–0 Flamurtari". Football Database. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Flamurtari turpëron Tiranën në shtëpi" (in Albanian). Arkiva Lajmeve. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Gramozi Ersekë vs. Tirana 0 – 1". Soccerway. 13 September 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  14. ^ "2009–10 Albanian Superliga". Soccerway. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Trukimet, UEFA: Do hetohet Alesund-Tirana. Abilaliaj, 1 vit me bardheblutë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Luftëtari Gjirokastër vs. Tirana 0 – 1". Soccerway. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  17. ^ Admir Uruçi (22 November 2012). "Kupa e Pavarësisë: Tirana luan "poker" ndaj Otrantos, shpërthen edhe Abilaliaj" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  18. ^ "Tirana vs. Teuta Durrës 1 – 1". Soccerway. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  19. ^ Murat Aruçi (30 March 2013). "Ringjallen bardheblutë, Tirana "pushton" Krujën. Dede: Fituam të rinjtë. Na u shtuan shpresat" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Albania - A. Abilaliaj - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  21. ^ "Flamurtari, firmosin edhe Zeqiri, Veliu e Abilaliaj" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  22. ^ Ermal Sika (21 July 2013). "Flamurtari pret Arbër Abilaliajn për sulmin, vlonjatët duan të afrojnë edhe 1 mesfushor" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  23. ^ "Flamurtari-Lushnja rekord Tre gola ne 3 minutat e fundit" (in Albanian). Shqipëria.com. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  24. ^ "Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Lushnja 4 – 3". Soccerway. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  25. ^ Ermal Sika (25 November 2013). "Flamurtari pa frena, Vllaznia polemizon. Zeqiri-Abilaliaj: Golat, për Gjikën dhe tifozët" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  26. ^ a b Ermal Sika (23 February 2014). "Shpërthen Kukësi, përmbys Flamurtarin. Starova në delir: I mposhtëm pa mesfushë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  27. ^ Ermal Sika (27 February 2014). "Vendos Abilaliaj, Flamurtari thyen Vllazninë. Canajt i ikën zëri: Në ndeshje të tilla ndodh" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  28. ^ Armand Nezha (9 March 2014). "Eshtë dopio-Abilaliaj, fundoset Lushnja" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  29. ^ Erjon Hamitaj (17 June 2015). "Abilaliaj largohet nga Flamurtari, shkon te Skënderbeu" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  30. ^ "Abilaliaj firmos për Skënderbeun, korçarët ofertë edhe Azdren Llullakut" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  31. ^ "Albanian players list of 2008 UEFA qualification". UEFA.com. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  32. ^ "Profile of Arbër Abilaliaj". Scoresway. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  33. ^ "Football : Arbër Abilaliaj". Football Database. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.

External links