Macedonian national team coach Goce Sedloski held a press-conference on Tuesday after announcing the list of summoned players, where he explained some of the players called up an excluded.

photo by FFM

Macedonia faces the final two matches of this extremely poor season in the Nations League this month. The national team is not only without a single point, but has also not scored a goal, not only in the Nations League, but in the entire term of the new coach.

“We played against both opponents and we know what kind of teams they are. We need to correct the mistakes we made in the first match with Scotland. I ask the players to run more, have desire and be disciplined in the game. Scotland is a strong team, but we should forget the results that are behind us. We want to improve in these two matches. This is a list of players who have playing time in their clubs and that is why I decided on this squad,” Sedloski said.

Probably the biggest surprise on the list was the absence of Bojan Miovski. But if you look closely at the reasons, it’s not really a surprise.

“Miovski hasn’t had playing time at Rangers for a long time, so I decided on these four strikers. He hasn’t been deleted from the squad. When he gets more playing time and plays regularly, he’ll get a call-up again. There’s no anger here, and I haven’t been called up when I haven’t played. I’ll continue like that in these matches. Those who don’t play in their clubs won’t be summoned,” the coach explained.

Sedloski also addressed the attitude towards the national team by certain players. He is not satisfied with the efforts, but did not clarify whether those players are not called up now, or are on the list and as a pedagogue he will try to give them one last chance to change their attitude.

“The attitude needs to improve a little when you get here. Coming here for a holiday, play and leave is over. We know how to wear the jersey and how to wear it. I will not allow players who play abroad to come here and meet with relatives, friends, play 90 minutes and leave for their clubs,” Sedloski added decisively.

Regarding the only debutant, center-forward Marko Gjorgjievski from Tetovo based Shkëndija, who scored his first league goal just last round, the coach said:

“I want to see Marko Gjorgjievski, I’ve coached him before. He was injured and I want to see what he can give to the national team.”

The only center-forward who is actually in top form, Ilija Nestorovski, was again not included on the list. The coach justified his decision by saying that he wanted to rejuvenate the national team, and the third best scorer in the Croatian top flight (7 goals + 2 in the cup) is 36 years old.

“Nestorovski is in good form, but I want to rejuvenate and bring some new energy to the team. I will not deviate from that.”

The first challenge is Scotland on the road, in front of the loud Scottish crowd that fills the stands every match and gives unreserved support.

“I wasn’t happy with the home games against Scotland and Switzerland. We didn’t create any chances, we didn’t play aggressively. We played well away against Switzerland and Slovenia. We had a few chances, but we didn’t take them, and when you don’t take advantage of those chances, the opponent will punish you. Now we’re only thinking about the match against Scotland. We know they have a fanatical supporters that support them. There will be 60,000 spectators there. I’ve played there and I know that if we don’t come in aggressively, and if we’re afraid, then it’s better not to go out on the field. Every player needs to give more than their maximum in order to be successful.”

In September 2009, the coach led Macedonia as captain in the 2010 World Cup qualifying match at Hampden Park in Glasgow against Scotland. Then the Scots won 2:0 (match report) with scoring both goals in the second half. The first goal was scored precisely because of his carelessness when, although he had the position, he allowed Scott Brown to get in front of him and head the ball. He was also careless with the second goal. James McFadden walked past him very easily, slipped it through his legs and came out alone in front of the goalkeeper before finishing.

Scotland – Macedonia of 2009 highlights: