Featured image credit: BBC
Kosovo's 1-1 draw with Finland last night was a historic night for the Balkan nation as it was their first World Cup qualification game since securing official FIFA status in May and Valon Berisha wasted no time in marking the occasion after being cleared to represent the country where his parents were born.
Berisha's clearance was only granted six hours before kick off and it was the Swedish born, former Norway international who levelled matters for Kosovo to earn them a vital away point.
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Berisha had won 19 caps before declaring for Kosovo, who seperated from Serbia in 2008. The Red Bull Salzburg midfielder was one of six players who opted to play for FIFA's newest member and was cleared to switch nationalities just before the game, following former Albania internationals Amir Rrahmani, Alban Meha, Herolind Shala, Milot Rashica and Samir Ujkani.
FIFA have also approved requests from nine other Kosovan players in recent months who have represented six different European countries, including Germany and Switzerland.
(H/T BBC Sport)
Topics: Football
