The Macedonian national team, which mostly consists of domestic league players this time, have started the preparations for the upcoming two friendlies against China.

The team held their first training yesterday at the pitch near the FFM headquarters and from today they will train twice a day. 

The first match against China is scheduled for 18th of June and will be played in Shenyang, while the second will be played on the 22nd in Jinan.

Gjoko Zajkov and Tauljant Sulejmanov have withdrawn and will not make the trip to China, after being included in the initial list. Zajkov is about to sign a deal with French side Rennes, while Sulejmanov is being given a rest on the advise of doctors sue to his heavy workload for his club team and the various national teams of Macedonia.

Manager Boshko Gjurovski made this statement regarding the friendlies, “We want to get a clear image of the quality of the players who are playing in the Macedonian league. These matches against China will be perfect for proving whether these players have the quality to play for the national team in the future. The result will not be top priority; instead our main focus will be getting the real image of the players. This is one of the final chances for some players to prove that they are worthy of a place on the national team.”