Mario Gjurovski won’t play against Portugal and Angola, the player announced via his Twitter profile.

Thai side Muangthong United decided not to let Mario Gjurovski join the national team since the two friendlies will take place on dates that are not considered official by FIFA.  Mario plays for a club in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) so his club reserved the right to keep him out of the national team since Macedonia is a member of another confederation in UEFA.  Muangthong United plays three league games in late May, early June so the club wanted Gjurovski at their disposal.

Mario is the first player to drop out from the squad, and manager John Toshack could decide to call up another player in his place.  The midfield is the weakest area on the Macedonian national team so the loss of Gjurovski is a big blow to Toshack and the team.

“These games aren’t official FIFA dates, so the club decides.  It is always an honor to play for my country so it is very hard for me but that is football.  MACEDONIA!!!”  Gjurovski wrote on his Twitter profile.  He then followed up with another tweet that said: “I hope, that with my play, I will be considered by Toshack for the Brazil World Cup qualifiers.”