Kosovo coach fears 'high quality of Croatia' in qualifier

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) Kosovo coach Albert Bunjaki isn't hopeful of getting points in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Croatia and Ukraine.

Bunjaki said Sunday his players needed to exploit any counter-attacks against the ''high quality of Croatia.''

Thursday's match against Croatia will be played in Albania's northern city of Shkodra as Kosovo has no stadium certified by UEFA. Three days later Kosovo travels to Ukraine.

Bunjaki has three injured players and one of them - midfielder Enis Alushi - will miss both matches.

Kosovo became a UEFA member in May, joined FIFA a week later and was fast-tracked into 2018 World Cup qualifying.

Kosovo drew 1-1 at Finland in September in its competitive international debut.