[76144] Albania national team coach explains the omission of Jasir Asani ahead of the match against Israel

Jasir Asani out of the Albania national team squad ahead of the encounter against Israel

Albania national team coach, Rolando Maran, confirmed today that the forward Jasir Asani, a player for the Esteghlal team, was not called up to the squad for the national team's upcoming friendly matches, which include an encounter against the Israeli national team on June 3 (June 13 in the Iranian calendar) and against Luxembourg on June 6 (June 16 in the Iranian calendar).

According to reports on Iran International Sport, which is affiliated with the Iranian opposition and extensively covers issues related to the country, Maran explained that the decision was made due to the player's lack of professional activity: "Jasir Asani was not called up because he did not play". The coach added that his staff had contacted the player and made it clear to him that without significant playing minutes, it was not possible to call him up to the national team framework.

The Iranian sports website Varzesh-3 also confirmed the news and quoted Maran: "Without playing minutes, his presence was difficult". The Italian coach emphasized that he did not speak with the player personally, but rather relayed the decision through his professional staff.

The Albania national team is expected to continue its preparations for the pair of upcoming encounters, while Jasir Asani remains outside the national coach's professional plans for the near future.