Shkerndija smashed local rivals Renova and escaped on +5 as Vardar played a goalless draw away to Akademija Pandev. Shkupi and Makedonija GjP surprised Rabotnichki and Pobeda on the road, while Sileks escaped the bottom with a win over Belasica.
photo by KF Shkendija Tetovo: the players celebrate one of today’s goals
Leaders and holders Shkendija had no problems with the team that shares their stadium. Renova could not match even a combined team fielded by the champions. Nafiu, Bojku and Imeri scored one each to close the half season with a new three points.
Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Renova – Shkendija 0:3 (0:1)
Goals: 23′ Valmir Nafiu, 68′ Besmir Bojku, 88′ Omar Imeri
Referee: Dejan Jakimovski (Skopje)
This round’s derby was played in the village of Turnovo between third-placed Akademija Pandev and runners-up Vardar. No team managed to score a goal and claim the points. With this draw Vardar is now five points away from the top.
Moment of the match; photo: FK Vardar Skopje
Kukush stadium in Turnovo
Akademija Pandev – Vardar 0:0
Goals: /
Referee: Marjan Eckoski (Ohrid)
The Lions from Skopje’s neighborhood of Gjorche Petrov recorded a surprising win over Pobeda on a match that was played in Kichevo. Pobeda is constantly changing venues as their own stadium is not reconstructed and lies forgotten by the authorities.
Kirovski stunned the home side after just three minutes of play, while Tanturovski doubled the lead halfway through the first half. In the 77th minute the second scorer got sent-off for a pair of yellow cards, but is was too late for Pobeda to do something. This defeat sent Pobeda in the relegation zone.
Gradski stadium in Kichevo
Pobeda – Makedonija GjP 0:2 (0:2)
Goals: 3′ Hristijan Kirovski, 28′ Dejan Tanturovski
Red cards: 77′ Dejan Tanturovski (M)
Referee: Vasko Mavrov (Strumica)
Bottom-placed Sileks clinched planned three points against relegation rivals Belasica and escaped the last place. Cameroonian international Mbella was the home side hero with his goal in the 29th minute. It is Belasica that will spend the winter break on the bottom position, equal on points with Pobeda but worse goal-difference by one goal.
Sileks stadium in Kratovo
Sileks – Belasica 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 29′ Emmanuel Mbella
Referee: Dimitar Mechkarovski (Skopje)
The other surprise in today’s matches was in the dual between the two Skopje rivals. Rabotnichki hosted Shkupi and ended up empty handed as the Pigeons celebrated by scoring once in each half through Bilali and Veliu. Their win brought an end to Rabotnichki’s three-match winning run.
National Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje
Rabotnichki – Shkupi 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: 26′ Amir Bilali, 82′ Artan Veliu
Referee: Marjan Mladenovski
The second half-season of the Macedonian top flight will begin with Round 19 matches scheduled for 17 February 2019.
1.MFL 2018/19
| Pos | Club | Pts | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shkëndija | 79 | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 80 | 29 | 51 |
| 2 |  Vardar | 64 | 36 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 45 | 23 | 22 |
| 3 |  Akademija Pandev | 58 | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 45 | 35 | 10 |
| 4 |  Shkupi | 48 | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 40 | 42 | -2 |
| 5 |  Renova | 47 | 36 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 53 | 49 | 4 |
| 6 |  Makedonija GjP | 47 | 36 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 45 | 50 | -5 |
| 7 |  Rabotnichki | 46 | 36 | 13 | 7 | 16 | 43 | 49 | -6 |
| 8 |  Sileks | 44 | 36 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 27 | 39 | -12 |
| 9 |  Belasica | 38 | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 37 | 49 | -12 |
| 10 |  Pobeda | 23 | 36 | 6 | 5 | 25 | 26 | 76 | -50 |