Bregalnica, Rabotnichki, Shkendija and Turnovo are the four teams heading to the semi-finals in the 24th edition of the Macedonian Cup.

The game between Bregalnica and Mladost Carev Dvor was wide open since the first leg ended 1:1. However, Bregalnica destroyed Mladost 4:1. The match was already decided by the hour mark when Bregalnica build a 3:0 lead. Mladost could only score a consolation goal. With the win, Bregalnica will play in the semis for the third time. That last occurred back in the 2013/14 season when Bregalnica fell to Rabotnichki on penalties.

Bregalnica: Zahov; Blazhevski, Stojanov, Tonev, Kocev; Mitrev (76′ Kostov), Ristovski, Hristov; Velkovski, Zdravkov (C) (69′ Nikovski), Mishev (59′ Iliev).

Mladost: Petrovski; Gjoreski, Azizi, T. Veljanoski (C), Velevski; Dalcheski (58′ Sherifi), Dimoski, Cvetanoski, Nikolovski, Simjanovski (46′ Merko), Kalanoski.

The reigning cup champion, Rabotnichki, already had one foot in the semi-finals after beating Sileks 3:0 last week. On this day in Kratovo, Sileks was defeated again, losing 2:1 for an aggregate score of 5:1 for Rabotnichki. Earlier in the 72nd minute, Sileks had a player sent off as one of the Rudan twins, Momčilo, collected his second yellow card of the match.

Sileks: Mitrović; N. Gjurchinovski (70′ Filipovski), M. Rudan, S. Rudan, Ristevski; Panovski (77′ Aleksikj), Todorov, D. Gjurchinovski (67′ Mitevski); Marikj (C), Raspashkovski, Klechkaroski.

Rabotnichki: Shishkovski; Siljanovski, Herrera, Najdovski, Ristevski; Trajchevski (C), E. Sahiti, Jovanoski; Mitrov (67′ S. Sahiti), Altiparmakovski (46′ Ristovski), Markoski.

After having been demolished 3:0 in the first leg, Vardar was highly motivated to return the favor to Shkendija. However, that failed to materialize. Stênio Júnior opened the scoring just before halftime when a mistake by Nemanja Mijušković (bad back-pass) led to a goal. Mijušković made some amends in the 62nd minute when he sent a precise header to the back of the net. Later in the 82nd minute, Shkendija substitute Hristijan Kirovski scored on a header close range to seal the win. For the second straight season, Vardar was eliminated in the semi-finals of the domestic cup.

Vardar: Pachovski; Ljamchevski, Mijušković, Grncharov (C), Brdarovski (46′ Hambardzumyan); Gligorov (46′ Dashyan), Nikolov, Felipe; Blazhevski, Stojkov (66′ P. Petkovski), Ivanovski.

Shkendija: Jovanovski; Bejtulai, Cuculi (C) (46′ Asani), Rech, Abdula; Totre, Polozhani, Alimi; Todorovski, Stênio Júnior (61′ Radeski), Ibraimi (76′ Kirovski).

Highlights (goals at 3:08, 5:23, 7:23):

Makedonija GjP, the only Second League side, was officially eliminated. They lost 4:2 at home last week, so Makedonija GjP needed a score like 3:0 to move on. That didn’t happen. They did win on the road, but the score was only 1:0.

Turnovo: Stoilkov; Bozhinov, Ivanov, Tafe, Iliev; Krstovski, Mavrov (C), Taipi, Stoilov (70′ Najdenov); Mitev (46′ Milushev), Matute (46′ Tanushev).

Makedonija GjP: Aleksovski (C); Kolchakoski, Nikolov, Stojmenov (55′ Redjepi), Mishovski; Fetahi, Nikanchevski, Zdravkovski, Mirchevski (72′ Ristevski); Cvetanovski (62′ Terziev), Kostovski.

Bregalnica, Rabotnichki, Turnovo and Shkendija will participate in the draw for the semi-finals, scheduled for Monday at 12.00 CET. Rabotnichki and Turnovo were also there last season. Rabotnichki ultimately claimed the trophy, as previously noted, while Turnovo was eliminated in the semis by Teteks.

Rabotnichki has won the Cup on four occasions and needs one more to tie Vardar in the all-time table. Turnovo and Bregalnica, meanwhile, have never played in a Cup final. As for Shkendija, they have never won the Cup trophy, but they lost in the final twice. That last happened in 2013 when Teteks beat them on penalties.

The first leg games of the semi-finals will be played on March 2, while the return legs follow on April 12. The final is set for May 29 at the “National Arena Philip II of Macedon” in Skopje.

Quarter-finals return leg results:

Sileks – Rabotnichki 1:2 (0:1); 1:5 agg.
59′ Boban Marikj – 13′ Marjan Altiparmakovski, 76′ (pen) Kire Markoski

Bregalnica – Mladost Carev Dvor 4:1 (2:0); 5:2 agg.
27′ Stefan Mishev, 36′ (pen) Goran Zdravkov, 57′ Darko Stojanov, 74′ George Nikovski – 81′ Meriton Merko

Turnovo – Makedonija Gjorche Petrov 0:1 (0:1); 4:3 agg.
29′ Kristijan Kostovski

Vardar – Shkendija 1:2 (0:1); 1:5 agg.
60′ Nemanja Mijuškovič – 43′ Stênio Júnior, 82′ Hristijan Kirovski