Shock for the title favourites as Renova knocked out Vardar, while holders Rabotnichki beat Gorno Lisiche and grabs towards defending the title.
The winter break in Macedonia officially started. The last two football games for this year were the two quarter-final games of the Macedonian Cup that took place today.
Vardar’s dream of a double got ruined as Renova eliminated them of the Cup. The Red&Black had a 3:1 lead from the first leg game that seemed enough for advancing, but the Gypsums confirmed that there are no favourites in the Cup. The visitors controlled the game untill the last 20 minutes as the result was goalless. In the 70th minute Emini gave hope to the host fans with his goal as now Renova needed only one more in order to advance thanks to the away goal rule. Vardar’s misery was punished by Mecinovikj six minutes from time and Renova qualified to the semis. Seems like Renova found the recipe for Vardar they defeated them two weeks ago in the same stadium with 3:0 in the Round 16 of the First League. It was the first seasonal defeat for Vardar. This defeat in the Cup is practicaly their second, both suffered by the Gypsums.
Title holders Rabotnichki had to chase a 3:2 lead for Gorno Lisiche. The Second League side managed to hold the score goalless untill the 59th minute when their defence eventually collapsed. In 16 minutes Rabotnichki scored three goals and nearly solved the mistery regarding the last semi-finalist. But, only a minute after the third goal, the visitors pulled one back and brought back the uncertainity as they now needed one for for extra-time. They failed to add a second and Rabotnichki advanced.
Renova and Rabotnichki join Turnovo and Teteks who eliminated their opponents on Thursday. The draw for the semi-finals will take place on Tuesday.
Renova – Vardar 2:0 (0:0) 3:3 agg. (Renova advances on away goal rule)
70′ Vulnet Emini, 84′ Jasmin Mecinovikj
Rabotnichki – Gorno Lisiche 3:1 (0:0) 5:4 agg.
59′ Aco Stojkov, 63′ Cvetan Churlinov, 75′ Marjan Altiparmakovski – 76′ Mojsovski
Played on Thursday:
Drita – Turnovo 0:1 (0:0) 0:6 agg.
60′ Grigor Dolapchiev
Teteks – Kozhuf Miravci 5:0 (1:0) 5:1 agg.
21′ Vlatko Drobarov, 50′ Dragan Nachevski, 67′, 68′, 73′ Martin Hristov