Holders Shkendija fall at Shkupi, Akademija Pandev defeated Rabotnichki away, Belasica took a point from Vardar. Sileks win important points against Pobeda, while Renova and Makedonija GjP shared the points after both failed to score a goal.

photo by FC Shkupi Skopje: players and fans celebrate after the final whistle

Shkupi continues to shine. This time they defeated leaders Shkendija, a team that in the last six matches was always winning against Shkupi. A lone goal by Bajrami that came after half an hour of play decided the winner. Serginho was penetrating in the visiting box when Gledi Mici pulled him from behind, enough for a penalty to be awarded. Bajrami stepped in and scored despite that Zahov guessed the right side.

The Pigeons are now definitely in battle for the Europa League spots and are currently best in form team after the three second half-season rounds.

Chair stadium in Skopje
Shkupi – Shkendija 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 30′ (pen) Muharem Bajrami
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Ohrid)

Runners-up Vardar visited bottom-placed Belasica in search of new three points but at the end their fans were left disappointed. The Kangaroos won an important point after keeping a goalless draw, but Vardar missed a big opportunity to come closer to the table leaders who got defeated.

Mladost stadium in Strumica
Belasica – Vardar 0:0
Referee: Marjan Eckoski (Ohrid)

Vardar’s unexpected draw was seized by Akademija Pandev who overtook the second place thanks to a better goal-difference. They visited Rabotnichki in a direct clash for the Europa League places and managed to celebrate a win. The Academy took the lead in the last minute before the break when Doriev successfully converted a penalty kick after Milovan Petrovikj played with in the box.

Daniel Milovanovikj chases Juninho; photo: FK Rabotnichki Skopje

Just four minutes into the second half Rabotnichki had a great equalizing chance through Oliver Peev whose shot from distance hit the post. No goals were scored until the match entered the stoppage time. First, the Academy doubled the lead when Sashko Pandev perfectly served Milovanovikj in the box who easily headed into the home net. A minute later Juninho scored a nice free kick goal just to make the defeat with a goal scored.

The free kick goal:

National Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje
Rabotnichki – Akademija Pandev 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: 90’+5 Juninho – 44′ (pen) Ljupcho Doriev, 90’+4 Daniel Milovanovikj
Referee: Petar Mantev (Negotino)

A real battle for avoiding relegation took place in Kratovo where Sileks came out victorious in the match against Pobeda. The winner was decided from the spot in the halfway through the second half. During a home corner kick Srđan Drašković was brought down by Antonio Kalanoski. Aleksovski converted the penalty giving Sileks an important win against a direct rival. The home side is on a six-match undefeated run!

Sileks stadium in Kratovo
Sileks – Pobeda 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: 65′ (pen) Darko Aleksovski
Red cards: 78′ Hristijan Grozdanoski (S)
Referee: Konstantin Vlaho (Skopje)

No goals were scored at the match involving Renova and Makedonija GjP. The home side wanted a win in order to join the battle for the Europa League spots, while the Lions needed point for avoiding relegation. A point didn’t make a favor to any of these two. The visitors are the ones to have regrets over this result as they missed a penalty in the 48th minute. The home keeper Uroš Đurić made a foul in the box but corrected his mistake when saving the penalty shot of visiting captain Bobi Bozhinovski.

The penalty:

Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Renova – Makedonija GjP 0:0
Referee: Marjan Gocevski (Strumica)

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 (2010)	23	36	6	5	25	26	76	-50