With a 1:0 win over Ukraine in the battle for the 5th place, the U18 national team ended the friendly tournament Slovakia Cup 2016.
U18 national team coach Jeton Nesimi had an excelent chance to test the players in a strong tournament playing four games in just one week. These games also revealed a sad truth: Macedonia can’t score. Only two goals in the four games, but both from the penalty spot.
In the group stage Macedonia started with a goalless drawa gainst Norway, but latted added two defeats by Russia and the Czech Republic. Thanks to a better goal-difference then Norway (actually more goals scored), Macedonia then faced the third placed in the other group, Ukraine.
The game winner against the young Ukrainians was scored by Davor Zdravkovski from the spot. The other goal for Macedonia on this tournament was also a converted penalty by the same player in the 2:1 defeat by the Czech Republic.
Group A
Macedonia – Norway 0:0
Macedonia – Russia 0:2
Macedonia – Czech Republic 1:2
| MP | W | D | L | GD | P | |||
| Russia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8:0 | 9 | final | |
| Czech Rep. | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3:5 | 6 | 3rd place | |
| Macedonia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1:4 | 1 | 5th place | |
| Norway | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0:3 | 1 | 7th place |
5th place match:
Macedonia – Ukraine 1:0
The tournament was won by the USA who defeated Russia with 2:1 in the grand final.
Final standings:
1. USA
2. Russia
3. Czech Republic
4. Slovakia
5. Macedonia
6. Ukraine
7. Norway
8. Georgia
Awards:
Best goalkeeper: Alexandr Maksimenko (Russia)
Best player: Weston McKennie (USA)
Top scorer: Ľubomír Tupta (Slovakia) – 4 goals
Best coach: Brad Friedel (USA)