The 17th season of the Macedonian First league is completed! The last round was very interesting for the lower part of the table where the play-out teams were decided today. Pelister failed to win and will play against Shkendija 79, while Metalurg will face Bregalnica Stip in the relegation play-out matches.
Metalurg Skopje – Milano Kumanovo 0:1 (0:1) (report)
31′ Kukaj
Pelister Bitola – Horizont Turnovo 2:2 (1:0)
15′ Talevski, 77′ Rutevski – 64′ 84′ Andonov
Pobeda Prilep – Vardar Skopje 1:1 (1:0)
4′ Nestorovski – 81′ Gligorov
Makedonija GjP Skopje – Renova Dzepciste 1:1 (0:0)
70′ Simovski – 53′ Ali
Napredok Kicevo – Rabotnicki Skopje 0:1 (0:1)
25′ Bozinovski
As Makedonija GjP won the league in the 30th round and the Europa league participants were also decided few rounds before, the real battle this round was on the stadiums were the last traveler in the play-out was decided. Pelister was known as the first team who will play in the relegation play-out, but they were also fighting for avoiding the 10th position on the table and playing against Bregalnica Stip instead of Shkendija 79 who are seen as the stronger team from the second league participants in he playoffs.
Metalurg hosted Milano and with a win could have decided their future. But Milano didn’t gave up so easily and entered this match with motivation for winning the three points and finishing on the second position on the table in front of Renova. Gligorovski in the 31st minute sent a cross from the left and the ball got to Liridon Kukaj in front of the goal who flicked the ball in the net for Milano’s lead.
Metalurg took the complete initiative in the second half. The hosts had numerous chances, mainly by Velkoski and Popovski, but all the balls finished in the goal post, next to the goal or in Nuredinovski’s hands. Metalurg didn’t had luck on the pitch, but had luck at least to avoid Shkendija 79, as Pelister failed to win and Metalurg kept the 9th position besides being defeated. Fourth placed Bregalnica Stip from the second league will be Metalurg’s opponent in the play-offs.
Pelister missed a big chance to finish the season on the 9th position with a win over Turnovo. Igor Talevski took Pelister in the lead with a nice goal from free kick from 20 meters. Pelister’s combined squad with youth players kept the ball and continued attacking and had the match in their feet, but until the 64th minute when Marjan Andonov equalized the score. Pelister quickly came back when Blagojce Ruteski took Pelister in another lead with a shot from the edge of the box in the 77th minute. But the guests didn’t gave up. After the cross-bar by Tenekedziev in the 80th, Marjan Andonov in the 84th minute completely shocked the home fans when he scored another goal with a long shot from 30 meters.
With only a point from this match, Pelister finished on the 10th position and will play against Shkendija 79 from Tevovo, the 3rd placed team from the Second league.
Pobeda avoided the relegation play-offs with a point against Vardar. The hosts had the lead from the 4th minute when Ilija Nestorovski scored nice goal with a shot from 25 meters. But the hosts decided to defend their lead and gave much space for Vardar. Vardar’s players created few good chances and after the domination in the second half, finally the caprain Nikola Gligorov equalized from 20 meters in the 81st minute.
Champions Makedonija Gjorce Petrov hosted Renova in a match that Renova could have used to keep their 2nd position, while the hosts used this match for receiving the trophy and celebrating the title. Makedonija’s coach gave chance to some reserve players but still Renova failed to outplay them. In a relaxed match, both sides threatened mainly with long shots in the first half. Renova took the lead in the 53rd minute when after a corner kick, Ilber Ali scored the opening goal. But Makedonija didn’t wanted to ruin their celebration and finish the season with a defeat, so in the 70th minute Jakimovski asisted Simovski who equalized and set the final score.
After three years spent in the first league, Napredok played a farewell match against Rabotnicki. In a relaxed match with no meaning for both teams, the fans on the stadium in Kicevo saw a very interesting macth. Both teams focused more on the attack and created numerous chances but only Bobi Bozinovski was succesfull after Osmani’s assist in the 25th minute and scored the only goal on this match.
Napredok is relegatied this year, while the cup winner Rabotnicki finished the season on the 4th position.