Renova managed to hold Shkendija, while Pelister recorded a come from behind win over Akademija Pandev in the first semifinal matches of this season’s edition of the Macedonian Cup.
Mighty Shkendija failed to beat Renova in the fist of the two clashes scheduled at the same stadium in Tetovo. It was Renova who broke the dead lock early in the 12th minute through Vlatko Stojanovski, while Shkendija equalized with Izair Emini’s goal fourteen minutes later. No team managed to score a winner so the finalist will be decided in the return leg.
Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Shkendija – Renova 1:1 (1:1)
Goals: 26′ Izair Emini – 12′ Vlatko Stojanovski
Shkendija: 1. Zahov; 6. Cuculi (C), 15. Musliu, 33. Adili (69′ 77. Todorovski); 18. Stênio Júnior (62′ 3. Wakili), 8. Totre, 5. Alimi, 4. Bejtulai; 20. Emini; 7. Ibraimi, 14. Radeski (74′ 11. Shefiti).
Renova: 41. Kobetić (60′ 12. Velii); 18. Mishkovski, 6. Neziri, 24. Stojanov, 17. Fernando Silva, 23. Nafiu, 8. Jusufi (71′ 29. Cvetanoski), 11. Velija, 15. Gafuri (C) (65′ 10. Nuhi), 19. Temelkov, 16. Stojanovski.
Yellow cards: Alimi (Sh), Nuhi (R)
Red cards: /
Referee: Josip Barton (Skopje)
Akademija Pandev took the lead after half an hour of play in Bitola thanks to wunderkind Jani Atanasov. Holders Pelister equalized through Borche Manevski in the 61st minute, while a last minute joy for the home fans brought substitute player Riste Ilijovski.
Pelister is looking for its second consecutive final, while Akademija Pandev hopes of a historic first final. The return leg in Strumica will definitely be a interesting one.
Pod Tumbe Kafe stadium in Bitola
Pelister – Akademija Pandev 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: 61′ Borche Manevski, 90′ Riste Ilijovski – 31′ Jani Atanasov
Pelister: 1. Petrovski; 4. Todorovski (C), 15. Ilievski, 66. A. Ristevski, 23. Ljamchevski (70′ 7. Ilijovski), 21. Markoski, 8. Naumoski (61′ 19. Nedanoski), 9. Milenkovski, 85. Markovski, 10. Konjarski, 77. Manevski (84′ 22. Trifunovski).
Akademija Pandev: 92. Istatov; 3. Atanaskoski, 4. Dimov, 16. Ganchev, 5. Iliev; 22. Grifoni (71′ 7. Ivanov), 8. Stoilov, 17. Krstovski (90′ 98. Mihailov), 10. Atanasov (C), 77. Cheshmedjiev, 9. Mishov (71′ 28. Baldovaliev).
Yellow cards: Markovski, Ljamchevski (P), Atanasov, Mishov, Istatov (AP)
Red cards: /
Referee: Dimitar Mechkarovski (Skopje)
The return legs are scheduled for the 11th of April.