Kukësi began their First Division campaign with a 2:0 victory over Besëlidhja Lezhë on Friday evening. The hosts took control early, scoring within the opening minutes before extending their advantage before half-time. Pjeshka and Demircani were on the scoresheet for the Albanian side, who made no mistake in front of goal.
The opening exchanges were frantic, with Demircani firing home at the three-minute mark. Besëlidhja responded almost immediately, but Kukësi regained their composure. By the seventeenth minute, the home side had doubled their lead, and Pjeshka sealed the result shortly after. The visitors could not find a way back into the contest.
Statistically, the match told a different story. Besëlidhja enjoyed 44 per cent possession and registered 84 attacks, compared to Kukësi's 56 per cent and 69. Yet the visitors were less efficient, hitting the target eight times without replying, while the hosts converted four attempts on goal. The disparity between chance creation and conversion was stark.
Kukësi's discipline came under scrutiny, with six yellow cards issued to their players. Besëlidhja collected four, suggesting a physical encounter that did not necessarily reflect on the pitch. The home side's defensive solidity, however, proved decisive in protecting their lead.
The result places Kukësi top of the table with three points from one game. Besëlidhja sit in twelfth, having lost their opening fixture. The Albanian side will look to bounce back from a difficult start, while the hosts have set a positive tone for their season.