A second-half injury-time equaliser by Kosovo has dealt a massive blow to Greece’s chances of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar.
The Greeks playing at the Fadil Vokrri stadium in Pristina on Sunday night, dominated the first half and were rewarded in injury time when the Greek captain, Tasos Bakasetas, crafted the perfect pass to put Tasos Douvikas inside the box and beat Kosovo keeper for the lead.
Kathimerini reported that midway through the second half of the Group B match, John van’t Schip’s charges dropped back to protect their narrow lead.
The switch gave the Kosovans the space they needed in the middle of the park to impose themselves and put the Greek defence under constant pressure.
By the end of the game, Van’t Schip had committed four central defenders to try to contain the home team attacks.
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The knife thrust came in the second minute of injury time when Kosovo’s Vedat Muqiri rose high to beat his markers and head the ball into the Greek goal.
The result places Kosovo third in Group B, on four points. Greece, dropped to fourth with three points, and are to host a high-flying Sweden on Wednesday.
On Friday, the Swedes dished out Spain’s first world cup qualifying loss since 1993, when they came from behind to win 2-1.
The result has placed Sweden within one point of Spain who head the group on 10 points.