With today’s Round 18 matches ended the opening half-season in the Macedonian top flight. This season will probably be the most exciting in the history of our first division as three teams are tied at the top, while the fourth-placed is just two points behind.
photo by KF Shkëndija Tetovo: a moment from the derby match
The derby of this round was played in Tetovo where Shkëndija hosted Gostivar. The hosts were lone leaders before this round, but after being held to a goalless draw, second in a row for Gostivar, they are now sharing the top with Sileks and Rabotnichki, while Gostivar is 4th with only 2 points behind.
Rabotnichki had no problems with Pelister and celebrated a comfortable win, while Sileks needed an effort to overcome Vardar with a lone goal in a match that saw three red cards, two of which for Sileks.
Shkupi recorded the second consecutive win by winning away at Besa 1976’s, while Struga beat dead last Voska Sport.
Tikvesh eventually won, recording only the second win this season and first after August 18 and the Round 2 when they beat Voska Sport at home. This time it was Brera Strumica to fall in Kavadarci. It was enough for Tikvesh to escape the relegation zone.
The Macedonian top flight now goes into a winter break that will last until February 16 when the Round 19 matches are scheduled. With 37 points Sileks is at the top thanks to the +21 goal-difference, followed by Shkëndija with +18 and Rabotnichki with also +18 but less goals scored compared to the Tetovo based team. Gostivar is fourth with 35, while holders Struga fifth with 32. Those are the teams that will fight fir the title next spring.
The battle for avoiding relegation will also be interesting. Voska Sport is last with only 12 points, then comes Vardar and Besa 1976 with 13, while Tikvesh has 14. With 19 points Pelister and Brera Strumica are away, but far from being safe.In the middle is Shkupi with 22 points, far from the top and far from the bottom.
Gradski stadium in Gostivar
Besa 1976 – Shkupi 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: 58’ (og) Kostadin Zahov
Referee: Furkan Idrizi (Tetovo)
National Arena Todor Proeski in Skopje
Rabotnichki – Pelister 3:0 (2:0)
Goals: 15’, 47’ Atdhe Mazari, 28’ Ali Reghba
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)
Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Shkëndija – Gostivar 0:0
Referee: Dimitar Pileshkov (Shtip)
Sileks stadium in Kratovo
Sileks – Vardar 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 29’ Kristijan Eftimov
Red cards: 30’ Ilija Donov (S), 54’ Dejan Đurić (V), 84’ Nikola Braunović (S)
Referee: Stojanche Trpchevski (Kavadarci)
Gradska Plazha stadium in Struga
Struga – Voska Sport 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: 7’, 84’ Hristijan Maleski – 81’ Osei Clinton
Referee: Aleksandar Grujoski (Kichevo)
Gradski stadium in Kavadarci
Tikvesh – Brera Strumica 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: 45’+1 David Manasievski, 89’ Kristijan Stojkoski
Red cards: 78’ Mihail Manevski (T), 80’ Jork Becerra (BS)
Referee: Igor Stojchevski (Skopje)
Highlights from all matches:
1.MFL 2024/25
| Pos | Club | Pts | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Sileks | 37 | 18 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 8 | 19 |
| 2 |  Shkëndija | 37 | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 30 | 12 | 18 |
| 3 |  Rabotnichki | 37 | 18 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 26 | 8 | 18 |
| 4 |  Gostivar | 35 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 26 | 9 | 17 |
| 5 |  Struga | 32 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 21 | 2 |
| 6 |  Shkupi | 22 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 26 | 25 | 1 |
| 7 |  Pelister | 19 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 18 | -9 |
| 8 |  Brera Strumica | 19 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 21 | 31 | -10 |
| 9 |  Tikvesh | 14 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 17 | -10 |
| 10 |  Besa 1976 | 13 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 14 | 26 | -12 |
| 11 |  Vardar | 13 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 13 | 29 | -16 |
| 12 |  Voska Sport | 12 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 34 | -18 |