In the space of one year, Kosovo played two unofficial friendlies against teams such as against Macedonian Albanian club Shkëndija (5 February 1992), which it defeated 4–0 and against Albanian club Albpetrol Patos (16 February 1993), which it defeated 3–2, two days after the official friendly against Albania.[1]
In November 1999, five months after the end of the Kosovo War, Kosovo played a unofficial friendly against players of Kosovar origin playing in the diaspora and the match ended in a 4–3 home win with goals from Kushtrim Munishi (twice), Kujtim Shala and Enis Fetahu.[2]
2000s
On 30 November 2003, Kosovo began the new decade by playing a unofficial friendly as part of the celebrations for the 91st Anniversary of the Independence of Albania against players of Albanian origin playing in Macedonia and the match ended in a 5–0 home deep win with goals from Enis Fetahu (twice), Malsor Gjonbalaj, Shpëtim Hasani and Enver Jashari.
Three years later, on 28 November 2006, Kosovo played a unofficial friendly as part of the celebrations for 94th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania against Albanian All-Stars and the match ended with a 3–3 home draw.[3] The starting line-up of that match was Kushtrim Mushica (GK), Ahmed Januzi, Alban Dragusha, Arben Zhjeqi, Deniz Krasniqi, Hysni Gashi, Ilir Nallbani, Kristian Nushi, Mensur Duraku, Shaqir Halili and Uliks Emra.[3] After the match against Albanian All-Stars, two more matches were held as against KEK (3–0) and Kosovo U21 (5–1).
Kosovo during the 2009–10 period was introduced with its alternative name as Ekipi i Kosovës (Team Kosovo), in order to avoid possible sanctions by UEFA and FIFA against Kosovo and the opponents that Kosovo played. After Kosovo was allowed on 6 February 2013 by FIFA to play against FIFA member associations in international friendlies,[12] this alternative name was no longer used.
