The Kosovo national team has the quality to defeat all opponents in the March play-offs, while it can qualify for the World Championship for the first time, midfielder Vesel Demaku stated in an exclusive interview with Telegrafi.
Demaku was unfortunately Kosovo's big absentee for the World Cup qualifiers, after he was injured before the match against Switzerland while representing Altach, an injury that left him off the field for a full 98 days.
For the first time after the injury, Demaku stated in an interview with Telegrafi that he is happy to be back on the pitch.
"As for any footballer, returning after a long injury is full of emotion because we live for football. The recovery process has gone very well, now that two weeks have passed I have started playing for 20-25 minutes and I feel very good."
"In the first moments there is frustration but still I am a professional. Insecurity has no place in me. The motive has been passion for football, family and faith."
"After every injury, like every athlete, at the moment it is most important to get back into the game as much as possible and the rest will come in order," he initially stated.
Demaku then commented on Kosovo's matches, where among other things he added that the most special feeling he has experienced is his debut in the "Dardan" jersey, which he completed in March.
"In March I made my debut for Kosovo, it was and will remain the most special feeling in my life, also because of my family because my grandfather is a hero of Kosovo, and I carry his name with pride. Unfortunately I was injured but I have always been close to the national team in my heart. The matches were phenomenal."
Asked if he expected this success from the players, the midfielder emphasized that he was not surprised, but rather liked the victory on the trip to Sweden.
"I've been waiting because I know the group of players. Definitely against Sweden in Sweden."
Kosovo will face Slovakia in the play-off semi-final, and if they win, they will play the other semi-finalist Turkey - Romania in Pristina.
Despite the fact that the challenges will be difficult, Demaku expressed confidence that Kosovo will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, as it has the quality to defeat all opponents.
"There's still a little time until March. At the moment we can beat any opponent but until then let's pray that all the players are healthy and we are in the right shape."
"I wish all the best in life to the fans of Kosovo and together we pray to God that in March the dream becomes a reality. Personally, in March 2024 the dream became a reality for me. I hope and believe that in March 2026 it will be repeated with qualification for the World Cup," he concluded for Telegrafi.
As a reminder, the match between Kosovo and Slovakia will take place on March 26, and if we make it to the final – we will face each other in Pristina five days later.
Otherwise, in the event of historic qualification - Kosovo will be in the same group as the USA, Paraguay and Australia./Telegraph/
