Meet the manager who kickstarted Kosovo's historic rise

When the Republic of Ireland line out in Pristina on Thursday, they will face a Kosovo team that almost qualified for the World Cup.

But for a narrow play-off final defeat to Turkey in March, the Balkan country would have been in North America this summer.

During the group campaign, the real landmark results came against Sweden.

A 2-0 win in Pristina this time last year was impressive enough. But to follow it up with a 1-0 victory in Gothenburg a month later was monumental, even if Sweden were at their lowest ebb at the time.

It was particularly surreal viewing for Albert Bunjaki and for more than one reason.

The current head of academy of Swedish club IF Karlstad Fotboll, Bunjaki had lived in the Scandinavian country since he fled Kosovo - then a part of Yugoslavia - in 1991.