The 33rd edition of the Macedonian cup was held tonight in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje and was won by Vardar after defeating Struga with a brace by Talevski.
photo by Matejcho Photography: Vardar celebrates Talevski’s opener
The final was 8 minutes late as there was a problem with the connection between the field referees and the VAR room.
After Struga made one shot, in the 7th minute came a real chance when Radeski went one on one with Taleski, but reacted badly and failed to shot. A minute later the rain started to fall heavily. Vardar tried to do something in the attack, but did not create a chance, while Struga had another good chance in the 18th minute after a corner kick. Krivanjeva failed to score from close range before Taleski caught the ball just before the goal line.
The 26th minute was underway when Vardar went into counter attack through Jankulov from the right side after he was well served by captain Zakarić, he sent a cross in the box, Omeragikj missed it on a header, but behind him Mihail Talevski scored with his right leg.
Vardar could have doubled the lead in the 39th minute when Dongmo got the ball before the box, he sent a bad shot that somehow hit the right post.
Bojan Ilievski before Mihail Talevski; photo: Matejcho Photography
Four minutes into the second half and Vardar doubled the lead. Dongmo passed to Talevski who escaped from Krivanjeva in the box and scored his second goal.
The match went quit with both teams failing to create a chance. Eventually in the 80th minute Mato made a short pass to Zakaric from a far right free kick, the Bosnian international fired a great shot that went near the far post. In the next minute Kehinde found himself in the good position in Vardar’s box, but his finishing was bad and an easy ball for the keeper. Kehinde tried again in the 85th minute, this time on a header, but Taleski was careful.
The last chance for Struga came in the stoppage time when Compaoré from close range failed to score.
It is the 6th cup title for Vardar, but first after 2007. For Struga, this is the second defeat in their second cup final appearance as they also lost two years ago.
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