The 27th edition of the Macedonian Cup final will be played between Makedonija GjP and Akademija Pandev after they managed to once again defeat their opponents Belasica and Pobeda.
The Lions welcomed the Kangaroos in the first seminal match. The hosts entered with a lone goal from the first leg in search for their third final.
The first half ended goalless with the Lions controlling the play despite Belasica being the team that had to score in order to annul the lead.
Nine minutes after the break the dead lock was broken. It was not an ordinary goal as when captain Bobi Bozhinovski took a corner kick, couple of players missed the ball in the air which later surprised Gjorge Djonov and from his head bounced into his own net.
54' goal : Gjorgje Djonov (Own goal)
Makedonija GP 1-0 Belasica pic.twitter.com/gSIgfI1ZtK— Football Macedonia (@MacedonianFoot) April 10, 2019
That goal happened to be decisive today. Belasica could not even equalize, not to mention about turning around the result.
Gjorche Petrov stadium in Skopje
Makedonija GjP – Belasica 1:0 (0:0); 2:0 agg.
Goals: 54′ (og) Gjorge Djonov
Referee: Marjan Eckoski (Ohrid)
More exiting was the second match that was played on neutral field in Kavadarci as Pobeda for a long period now plays away from Prilep as the renovation works at their Goce Delchev stadium seem to have nor progress nor end. Pobeda usually uses Mladost stadium in Strumica, but since that’s actually home of their rival, they opted for Kavadarci where the field was in very bad conditions due to the constants rains that hit the town the past few days.
Pandev’s academy enter the return leg with a decent 3:1 lead. But right at the start the hosts stunned the favs. Pobeda took an important early lead after just three minutes when Antonio Kalanoski headed home after a perfect cross by Filip Risteski. Another goal and with a 2:0 win Pobeda could win on away goals rule.
3'goal: Antonio Kalanoski
Pobeda 1-0 Akademija Pandev
(Stream was lagging a lot so cant do anything about the quality) pic.twitter.com/nn3GnIX8BB— Football Macedonia (@MacedonianFoot) April 10, 2019
But the Academy equalized when the second half begun. Stojancho Velinov was brought down in the box by a home player and Gjorgi Stoilov successfully converted the penalty sending Daniel Kotevski the other way.
Eight minutes later the visitors buried every hope left among the home players. Velinov took a perfect free kick from the edge of the box turning around the result.
57' goal: Stojance Velinov
Pobeda 1-2 Akademija Pandev pic.twitter.com/w0WALTNFxB— Football Macedonia (@MacedonianFoot) April 10, 2019
Five minutes from time Aco Stojkov penetrated the box with a dribbling from right and served Kristijan Stojkoski for a third goal. Both had entered the match in the second half. At the end the Academy won with the same result as in the first leg.
85'goal: Kristijan Stojkoski
Pobeda 1-3 Akademija Pandev pic.twitter.com/vUgC1bvgJr— Football Macedonia (@MacedonianFoot) April 10, 2019
Gradski stadium in Kavadarci
Pobeda – Akademija Pandev 1:3 (1:0); 2:6 agg.
Goals: 3′ Antonio Kalanoski – 48′ (pen) Gjorgi Stoilov, 56′ Stojancho Velinov, 85′ Kristijan Stojkoski
Referee: Dejan Jakimovski (Skopje)
So the 27th Macedonian Cup final will be played between Makedonija GjP and Akademija Pandev. It will be third final for the Lions and first since their last in 2009 when they lost by Rabotnichki on penalties. Previously, in 2006 they lift their only cup trophy by beating Shkendija. On the other side will be a cup final debutante. Formed 9 years ago, for Akademija Pandev it is the first chance to win a trophy on senior top level. The winner of the final will also earn a spot in the Europa League qualifications starting from the first round.
The date and venue for the final is yet to be decided by the FFM. One thing is for sure, it will be played next month.