The testing of the Rossoneri in America is closed, Salihi is enthusiastic about the qualities found

After the big European countries, the managers of the AFL landed in the USA, to discover Albanian talents that can be a safe contingent for the age teams and that will represent the red and black colors in the various international competitions, of course, after being selected by technicians. For three consecutive months, the Department of National Teams in the AFL in cooperation with the Technical Directorate and the scouts of the AFL in the USA have been working through the applications to compile the lists of players who had applied to participate in this selection, which took place on the 20th and May 21, 2023 in the New Jersey area. The organizing group that led this coaching session consisted of the assistant coach of the National Team, Hamdi Salihi, the former captain of the National Team, Ansi Agolli, the Technical Director of the AFL, Fulvio Pea, responsible for girls' football in the AFL, Florian Riza as well as Daniel Xhafa, Fation Serhati, Zamira Tabaku, Riza Uka, Elton Mara and Skënder Driza. The assistant coach of the National Team, Hamdi Salihi, speaks positively about the organization of this selection for the first time, thanking the parents of the footballers. "There were over 120 children who came here and the organization went very well, all the engaged staff did a great job. We've already gotten the right information on the young players to keep an eye on for the future, while at the same time creating a clear idea of ??what awaits us here in the USA to find elements that will serve the national teams of Albania. On the first day, we observed the players born in 2005, 2006 and 2007, while on the second day the players born in 2008 and 2009 and in each group there are players with very good records who I believe will grow even more to serve the national teams. We have created a list of names of players, who should be kept under observation", said Salihi for "Fshf.org".

Agolli, satisfied with the results, hopes for other selections

Even the former captain of the National Team, Ansi Agolli, who was part of the organizing staff, appreciates this initiative and the impressions received from the testing of the players in this first selection on American soil are positive. "Symbolically, we had a small Albania in New York during the selection. It was not easy to organize such activities in a country like America, which has such a large territory, however I am very pleased with the participation and the quality these players showed, giving us good impressions. The objective is to identify as many players as possible and recommend their names to the age team coaches. We wish to have as many players as possible, who are active in the USA, to play with Albania's age teams. I am satisfied with the progress of the selection. Suffice it to say, the fact that a player traveled from Houston to New York, which is about an 8-hour plane ride just to participate in this selection, speaks volumes. To talk afterwards about what happens on the field, where all the players gave their best, every match was very competitive", said Agolli.