Zahov, Ibrami and Emini’s ghost goal gave Shkendija a road win over title rivals Vardar. Rabotnichki, Belasica, Shkupi and Makedonija GjP also celebrated in this no draws round.
photo by KF Shkendija: the Tetovo players celebrate
This round’s derby was the one between title rivals Vardar and Shkendija. It was a tough match in which both teams had several scoring opportunities. A notorious decision took place in the third minute of first half injury time. Ibraimi served Emini in the home box, the later perfectly escaped the offside trap and sent the ball towards the goal. Gachevski caught it, but seems like the ball was already inside. It is doubtful whether the ball crossed the goal line entirely or very small part of it was still on the line. According to the FIFA rules of play, a ball must be 100% behind the line in order to be a goal. After several minutes of protest the referee decided to allow the goal.
A snapshot of the moment
Vardar failed to score an equalizer and the player to blame for that is visiting keeper Kostadin Zahov who had a great day. Just before the end Ibraimi confirmed the win with a perfect strike from the edge of the box. This was Vardar’s first defeat allowing Shkendija to reduce the difference at the top on four points.
Highlights:
Boris Trajkovski stadium in Skopje
Vardar – Shkendija 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: 45’+3 Izair Emini, 88′ Besart Ibraimi
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Ohrid)
Belasica continued the great form and celebrated another win to move two places on the table towards the Europa League spots. The Kangaroos beat Pobeda thanks to the goals by Mitevski and Ivanovski, each of them scoring in a different half. Pobeda only managed to score a consolation goal in the dying moments of the match.
Mladost stadium in Strumica
Belasica – Pobeda 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: 26′ Zoran Mitevski, 50′ Filip Ivanovski – 90’+3 Kyrian Nwabueze Chinazorm
Referee: Dimitar Mechkarovski (Skopje)
Shkupi today recorded only the second seasonal win. Their victims were relegation rivals Sileks who got defeated with two quick goals scored after the break. Shkupi now escaped from the bottom sending there their today’s rivals.
Highlights:
Chair stadium in Skopje
Shkupi – Sileks 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: 51′ Sérgio Antonio Da Luiz Junior, 56′ (pen) Kristijan Stojkoski
Referee: Vasko Mavrov (Strumica)
Striker Kirovski brought the second seasonal win for the Lions from Gjorche. The game winning goal came after a big mistake by Stefan Kostov who passed the ball directly to Kirovski. Thanks to his goal his team took the points from the clash with Akademija Pandev.
The winner:
Gjorche Petrov stadium in Skopje
Makedonija GjP – Akademija Pandev 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: 55′ Hristijan Kirovski
Red cards: 88′ David Atanaskoski (AP)
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)
Rabotnichki revenged itself on Renova for the home defeat in the opening round of this season. The Club Hero celebrated on the road in Tetovo with one goal scored in each half. It was a good start for their new head coach Zhikica Tsaevski.
Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Renova – Rabotnichki 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: 26′ (pen) Ostoja Stjepanovikj, 90’+4 Dušan Stević
Red cards: 77′ Ostoja Stjepanovikj (R)
Referee: Jovan Kachevski (Struga)
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 |