Two sides wey miss World Cup 2026 go try put disappointment behind dem on Wednesday, as Albania host Israel for friendly at Arena Kombetare.
The Red and Blacks get new manager wey dey look to make strong start for dugout, while Sky Blue and Whites dey aim for just second win in seven games.
Rolando Maran Albania still dey reel as wait for first-ever World Cup appearance continue, but freshly-appointed manager go use this friendly as building block for future.
For fairness to former Red and Blacks boss Sylvinho, im team make am to playoffs, but Poland down dem 2-1 on March 26.
Albania follow elimination by extending losing streak to three matches with 1-0 defeat against Ukraine five days later, wey rub salt for wound.
However, nation don go eight games unbeaten before current run of disappointing results, winning six times for process, and dem go optimistic about getting back on track.
Hoping to start im tenure with victory this Wednesday, Maran go take heart from fact say hosts keep six clean sheets for eight fixtures before 2-0 defeat against England for mid-November, defensive solidity wey fit be major asset going forward.
Meanwhile, Ran Ben Shimon Israel miss World Cup again, and now 56 years don pass since dem last appear for finals back for 1970.
Sky Blue and Whites round off UEFA qualifying campaign with 4-1 win over Moldova on November 16, but triumph na for nothing as dem finish third for Group I, even fail to make playoffs.
Shimon side don only play one game after, and dem hold to frustrating 2-2 draw by Georgia on March 26.
That stalemate mean say Israel don now come out on top for just one of last six outings, lacklustre run wey go back to 4-0 thrashing of Moldova for early September last year.
With that for mind, visitors go dey aim to earn rare win on Wednesday, and if dem fit avoid defeat, e go mark first time Sky Blue and Whites don go four games unbeaten since 2023.
Albania go dey without regular goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha on Wednesday, so expect to see Alen Sherri start between posts, shielded by centre-backs Berat Djimsiti and Bujar Pllana.
For opposite end of pitch, Armando Broja of Burnley and Myrto Uzuni of Austin FC set to operate for strike partnership, supported by Juljan Shehu from attacking midfield position.
As for Israel, centre-forwards Anan Khalaily and Tai Baribo no join squad for this friendly, though Dor Turgeman and Idan Toklomati go dey on hand to lead line.
For centre of park, Gabi Kanichowsky, Eliel Peretz and Oscar Gloukh go dey hope to give dem side sense of stability, while wing-backs Roy Revivo and Eli Dasa provide width.
Albania possible starting lineup: Sherri; Hysaj, Pllana, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani; Laci, Shehu, Hoxha; Broja, Uzuni. Israel possible starting lineup: D Peretz; Dasa, Nachimas, Stoinov, Lemkin, Revivo; Kanichowski, E Peretz, Gloukh; Turgeman, Toklomati.
