Second defeat for Macedonia in the qualifications for EURO 2012 as Russia took the three points with an 1:0 win in Skopje yesterday. Now Macedonia is left with no chances to qualify as another big tournament goes by.

Russia started the game well and early in the 8th minute cracked the defensive tactic set by coach Mirsad Jonuz. Aleksandr Anyukov found Aleksandr Kerzhakov and the striker opened the score with a good shot from a hard deep position on the right. In the whole first half Macedonia couldn’t make any chance and in periods even couldn’t cross into the Russin half.

The second half was way better for macedonia. The team finally played well created and chances putting pressure on Russia and attacking with bigger number of players. In the 55th minute mario Gjurovski had a shot that went over the bar. Two minutes later Ivan Trickovski missed a chance and latter same happened to Filip Despotovski. In the 61st minute Macedonian had the biggest chance. After Trickovski’s corner, Stevica Ristić’s header hit the bar and went in goal out. Unlucky Ristić have every reason to be upset ashe hid the bar and the post in the game against Armenia in September and still haven’t scored since he debut goal against Albania in February 2007. In the 72nd minute Ilco Naumoski headed the ball but Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev made a safe. But, referee’s whistle was blown and he showed on the penalty spot because Ignashevich had made a foul on Naumoski. Naumoski scored a penalty goal against Armenia in the injury time and he choose to shot on the same side. Akinfeev saved and latter Russia eventualy won with 1:0. In the Armenian  game, their keeper Berezovsky was very close to make a save as Ilco’s shot was more like a pass, same as yesterday’s. But, in football it is normal a penalty to be missed, it happens to everyone.

It can’t be unnoticed that finaly Jonuz decided not to play with the trio defensive midfielders Despotovski, Sumulikoski and Georgievski as this time Slavco Georgievski was benched and came in instead Filip Despotovski in the seconf half.

After all, at least Macedonia played a good game if we leave out the first half. Trickovski was great and also Naumoski who despite missing the penalty run a lot and fought well. The defense did a good job, but should have reacted better in the 8th minute when Kerzhakov run away and eventually scored. Now after the defeat away to Slovakia, the dissapointing draw against Armenia and finaly this defeat by Russia, Macedonia 99% lost it’s chances to qualify and another qualifications are lost even at the beginning. It’s time for a change as Jonuz didn’t use his chance and choked on the start.

You can view the match report here.

photo: Filip Zdraveski

Russia’s winning goal:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ko-dqysrblQ

Naumoski’s missed penalty

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3GSYnI0dPTc