Macedonian national team continued continued their bad run on home played matches with another defeat. Israel won important points in Skopje to keep the pressure up on Croatia, Russia and England for qualifying for the Euro 2008 from Group E.Â
{mosgoogle} The match started with fast tempo and attacking football from both sides. Macedonia were close to a lead as early as the 2nd minute, but midfielder Velice Sumulikoski hit the ball over the gaol from two meters. The visitors took an early lead with the dream debut for Barak Itzhaki who scored a header within 10 minutes.
Macedonia equalized only three minutes later when Aco Stojkov volleyed a powerful shot after Aleksandar Vasoski had headed down the Goran Pandev’s left-wing cross.
But Israel took back the lead in the 43rd minute when Argentine-born striker Roberto Colautti sent a looping header over goalkeeper Jane Nikoloski.
Macedonia had the bigger part of the ball possession and kept the pressure on Israelis goal for the whole match but didn’t manage to score an equalizer. Substitute Stevica Ristic was first to Goran Pandev’s cross, but failed to get the better of Dudu Awat, who was well placed to collect the ball. Macedonia continued to dominate and in the 72nd minute were denied a goal by a Keinan goal line clearance. Stojkov’s back heel got the better of Awat, but the Maccabi Haifa defender was well placed and cleared the danger, helping Israel keep the lead until the final whistle. The main problems for scoring were the good saves by Israelis captain Dudu Avat and the lack of creativity in the attacks after Goaran Pandev was injured in the 55th minute.Â
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Macedonia Nikoloski; Noveski, Petrov, Lazarevski (Grozdanovski 46), Mitreski, Vasoski, Sumulikoski,Tasevski, Naumoski (Ristic 46), Pandev (Polozani 55), Stojkov.
Subs Not Used: Milosevski, Vajs, Popov, Maznov.
Goals: Stojkov 13.
Israel Aouate, Spungin, Ziv, Benado, Badir, Tal,Balili (Sahar 61), Alberman, Colautti (Golan 81),Itzhaki (Zandberg 76), Keinan.
Subs Not Used: Cohen, Tamuz, Yechiel, Dayan.
Booked: Keinan, Spungin, Itzhaki, Ziv, Alberman.
Goals: Itzhaki 11, Colautti 44.
Gradski stadium, Skopje. Att: 15,000
Ref: Knut Kircher (Germany).