Pelister and Skopje got relegated after failing to celebrate today, while Pobeda will enter the play-off against the winner of the first round play-off between the two second league runners-up. Shkendija was officially awarded the trophy, while Rabotnichki won the Europa League battle with Shkupi being on stand-by.
photo by KF Shkendija: captain Hasani is about to lift the trophy
Pelister had the hardest task today. They had to beat Shkendija away, to destroy their title celebration in order to stay in the league. But, also both Skopje and Pobeda had to lose on draw in the matches. The Bitola team started the game well despite giving away a penalty kick. Their motivation got boosted as keeper Darko Atanasovski saved Besart Ibraimi’s penalty. Shkendija was trying to score but simply could not do it until the first injury minute when defender Mevlan Adili scored. Than, shortly after the break Stênio Júnior doubled the lead and it was all over for Pelister. Towards the end of the game captain Ferhan Hasani added two more goals to make Shkendija reach 101 goals scored this season. They are only the second team to score more than 100 goals in a single season after Vardar scored 119 goals in the 1992/93 season. Also, Shkendija will represent Macedonia in the Champions league qualifications this summer.
For Pelister, this in the fourth time in their history that they got relegated, going into into the second league just a year after winning the Macedonian Cup. But these two teams have another more game to face in, this season’s Cup final scheduled for Wednesday in Strumica. Despite going down, Pelister may also end up in the Europa League, but only if makes a miracle by winning the cup second year in a row against the same opponent hungry for revenge.
Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Shkendija – Pelister 4:0 (1:0)
Goals: 45’+1 Mevlan Adili, 47′ Stênio Júnior, 78′, 83′ (pen) Ferhan Hasani
Referee: Marjan Gocevski (Strumica)
Pobeda welcomed Renova in a must win match for them. The visitors had nothing to play for except for their honor. Same as Shkendija, Pobeda broke the dead lock in the injury time of the first half thanks to Zoran Danoski. A win for Pobeda means that the results of Pelister and Skopje can’t influence the final standings. With these three points Pobeda stayed 8th and will enter the second round of the promotion/relegation play-off. In the first round will play the two second placed teams of both second league groups, Borec and Gostivar, with the winner advancing to face Pobeda.
Mladost stadium in Strumica
Pobeda – Renova 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 45’+1 Zoran Danoski
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)
A very interesting match took place at the Philip II stadium. Both Rabotnichki and Skopje had to win which lead to a high scoring game. Skopje took the lead with Rabotnichki equalizing in the last minute before the break. Skopje again took the lead through Koffi in the 61st minute after a silly mistake by the home defense, but the Reds once again quickly equalized. In the 82nd minute Kirovski scored his second by converting a penalty kick with what was a golden goal for Rabotnichki that sent them into the Europa League qualifications.
The Reds celebrate going into the Europa League; photo: FK Rabotnichki
National Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje
Rabotnichki – Skopje 3:2 (1:1)
Goals: 45′ Petar Petkovski, 66′, 82′ (pen) Hristijan Kirovski – 39′ Benjamin Demir, 63′ Koffi Dosseh
Referee: Stojanche Stojanov (Shtip)
Vardar fielded a pretty much youth team away against Shkupi. The result was not important for Vardar, but it was of high importance for the hosts as they fought for the Europa League. Despite being 0:1 down, Shkupi easily celebrated but due to the win of Rabotnichki stays fourth and will cheer for Shkendija to win the Cup final in order to qualify for the Europa League.
Chair stadium in Skopje
Shkupi – Vardar 4:1 (3:1)
Goals: 26′, 43′ Alen Jasharoski, 40′ Bazhe Ilijoski, 77′ Bunjamin Shabani – 34′ Ali Adem
Referee: Dimitar Mechkarovski (Skopje)
Sileks was third for nearly the entire season, but at the end finished on the 5th place. Huge disappointment for the Kratovo team that got left without a Europa League place. They did their job today by beating Akademija Pandev away, but the table did not change in their favor as Rabotnichki and Shkupi also won.
Kukush stadium in Turnovo
Akademija Pandev – Sileks 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: 85′ Aleksandar Mishov – 23′ Antonio Bujchevski, 61′ Dejan Blagojević
Red cards: 90’+2 Antonio Marcos (S)
Referee: Jovan Kachevski (Struga)
Final standings:
1.MFL 2017/18
| Pos | Club | Pts | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shkëndija | 91 | 36 | 29 | 4 | 3 | 101 | 27 | 74 |
| 2 |  Vardar | 56 | 36 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 53 | 41 | 12 |
| 3 |  Rabotnichki | 52 | 36 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 50 | 43 | 7 |
| 4 |  Shkupi | 51 | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 51 | 46 | 5 |
| 5 |  Sileks | 50 | 36 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 30 | 37 | -7 |
| 6 |  Akademija Pandev | 42 | 36 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 43 | 47 | -4 |
| 7 |  Renova | 41 | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 36 | 53 | -17 |
| 8 |  Pobeda | 38 | 36 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 36 | 56 | -20 |
| 9 |  Skopje | 35 | 36 | 7 | 14 | 15 | 24 | 43 | -19 |
| 10 |  Pelister | 34 | 36 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 37 | 68 | -31 |