A second half goal by Boban Nikolov, coming directly from a free kick, was not enough to overcome a dismal 1st half performance in which Norway U21 scored its two goals to celebrate a 2:1 victory.

Norway got off to a flying start by scoring the opening goal in the 3rd minute.   Fredrik Ulvestad skillfully got past the left side of the Macedonian defense before his cross was struck to the back of the net by Alexander Groven.  Norway U21 continued to dominate after the goal and came close to scoring on two occasions in the 14th and 17th minute, but they were denied by keeper Stole Dimitrievski each time.  The first chance came on a header following a corner kick, while the second opportunity came on an uncontested shot from inside the area after some poor defending by the center of the Macedonian defense.

The second goal for Norway came in the 24th minute via a penalty kick after one of the CB’s, Aleksandar Damchevski, fouled Mushaga Bakenga.  Replays showed that the foul occurred just outside of the area, but the referee pointed to the spot and gave Damchevski a straight red card for being the last man and preventing a goal scoring opportunity.  Watching it live, it did seem like the foul had occurred inside the box at first, based on where Bakenga fell, but the referee should have convened with the assistant referee to reverse the call to a free kick, not a penalty.  The ruling also led to Macedonia captain Stefan Ashkovski picking up a yellow card for complaining to the referee that the foul had occurred outside of the area.

Several minutes later, manager Boban Babunski brought on CB Dino Najdoski for midfielder Gentjan Zuta to compensate for the red card given to Damchevski, and go back to a four men defense.  Most of Macedonia’s chances came on shots from distance by Ezgjan Alioski.  Most flew well over the goal, with only one, in the 44th minute, bringing out a save of the Norway keeper before going for a corner.  Then, in the 45th minute, Alioski tried a low shot that was saved by the home keeper.

At the start of the 2nd half, Norway had the first quality chance when a free kick by Veton Berisha went just outside of the right goal post.  Midfielder Gustav Wikheim then struck the crossbar in the 62nd minute as Norway was that close to scoring its third goal.  Dimitrievski made another important save in the 67th minute when he denied a powerful shot by Fredrik Ulvestad.

Macedonia then managed to score a goal out of nowhere in the 72nd minute to reduce the deficit.  Boban Nikolov took a long and high free kick that was misjudged by the Norway keeper and it resulted in a goal.  It appeared that the Norway keeper was anticipating defender Dino Najdoski making contact with a header on the free kick, but the ball was a tad too high for Najdoski and then it reached the back of the net before the keeper could react.  The goal seemed to inject much needed energy into what had been a lifeless Macedonian side prior to that.  The players were combining passes better and looking more threatening.  Nikolov took another free kick from a dangerous position in the 76th minute, but his shot went over the goal.  On the final chance for Macedonia, coming on yet another free kick deep into stoppage time of the 90th minute, Nikolov’s curling effort was saved by the Norway keeper.

Norway U21 – Macedonia U21 2:1 (2:0)

Scorers: 3′ Groven, 24′ (pen) Bakenga – 72′ Nikolov

Macedonia U21: Dimitrievski; Alioski, Dragarski, Damchevski, L. Zuta; Micevski, G. Zuta (27′ D. Najdoski), Blazhevski; Ashkovski (C) (81′ Naumchevski), Timov (57′ Do. Babunski), Nikolov.