Shkendija humiliated Pelister in front of their own fans in Bitola, Rabotnichki ended Skopje’s undefeated run, Vardar escaped a home defeat by Shkupi in the 93rd minute, Renova defeated Pobeda, while Sileks and Akademija Pandev shared the points.

photo by KF Shkendija: the players celebrate one of the six goals

The teams that on Wednesday booked a place in the Macedonian Cup final faced each other in Bitola. After only 45 minutes leaders Shkendija secured a comfortable 3:0 lead and after the break they continued the humiliation arriving at 6:0 at the end. All the goals were scored by different players. Huge warning for cup holders Pelister who last years defeated this very same opponent in the big final.

Pod Tumbe Kafe stadium in Bitola
Pelister – Shkendija 0:6 (0:3)
Goals: 29′ Besmir Bojku, 38′ Enis Fazlagikj, 43′ Egzon Bejtulai, 58′ Stênio Júnior, 62′ Armend Alimi, 64′ Marjan Radeski
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Ohrid)

The undefeated run of relegation favorites Skopje eventually came to an end. It was Rabotnichki that managed to beat second most in form team this half season. In the 8oth minute Esmin Lichina committed a foul on Stojancho Velinov. Ostroja Stjepanovikj stepped in to take the penalty kick, but only hit the post. However, Velinov was the quickest on the rebound heading the ball into the net.

The penalty:

Avtokomanda stadium in Skopje
Skopje – Rabotnichki 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: 81′ Stojancho Velinov
Referee: Marjan Gocevski (Strumica)

Vardar had lots of problems with local rivals Shkupi. In the 33rd minute the visitors broke the dead lock. Ermedin Adem sent a ball in the box from left where Omar Imeri headed it precisely into the home net. Vardar’s pressure eventually got rewarded deep into the stoppage time when Tigran Barseghyan assisted to Yevhen Novak who scored the equalizer.

National Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje
Vardar – Shkupi 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: 90’+3 Yevhen Novak – 31′ Omar Imeri
Referee: Albrim Shakjiri (Struga)

Renova collected important three points against Pobeda, the direct rival for avoiding relegation. The hosts took the lead in the 38th minute, but the visitors came back in game just before half-time. The decisive goal was scored by Brazilian international Lucas Meireles in the 69th minute.

Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Renova – Pobeda 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: 38′ Fatjon Jusufi, 69′ Lucas Meireles – 44′ Zoran Danoski
Referee: Dimitar Mechkarovski (Skopje)

Sileks and Akademija Pandev shared the points playing a goalless draw in Kratovo. The hosts failed to use the player advantage that had since the 51st minute when visiting player Daniel Milovanovikj collected his second yellow card. Akademija Pandev was well defending and eventually won a point.

Sileks stadium in Kratovo
Sileks – Akademija Pandev 0:0
Goals: /
Red cards: 51′ Daniel Milovanovikj (AP)
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)

1.MFL 2017/18

Pos	Club	Pts	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD
1	Shkëndija	91	36	29	4	3	101	27	74
2	Vardar	56	36	16	8	12	53	41	12
3	Rabotnichki	52	36	14	10	12	50	43	7
4	Shkupi	51	36	13	12	11	51	46	5
5	Sileks	50	36	13	11	12	30	37	-7
6	Akademija Pandev	42	36	10	12	14	43	47	-4
7	Renova	41	36	10	11	15	36	53	-17
8	Pobeda (2010)	38	36	10	8	18	36	56	-20
9	Skopje	35	36	7	14	15	24	43	-19
10	Pelister	34	36	8	10	18	37	68	-31