Overview of Round 9 in the First League

Shkupi and Shkendija line up before the gameShkendija continues to lead Vardar by one point at the top of the table after both teams won on Sunday, while Rabotnichki overcame Metalurg to record a much needed win.

Shkupi and Shkendija have normally enjoyed a friendly rivalry, but on Sunday they faced each other for the first time this season. Shkupi showed good organization and defended well for an hour. However, Shkendija’s quality eventually worn out Shkupi. The club’s two key summer acquisitions, Ferhan Hasani and Besart Ibraimi, scored one goal apiece to make the difference. Hasani scored on a header following an assist by Ibraimi, while Ibraimi got his goal on a well placed shot.

Video of the goals:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=RQI6dMHl1fk

Shkupi: Zendeli, B. Asani, Adili (64′ Osmani), E. Asani, Lazarevski, Bajrami, Janevski (72′ Seferi), Adem, Iseni, Nuhiu (40′ Arif), Demiri.

Shkendija: Jovanovski, Todorovski (70′ Bejtulai), Rech, Polozhani, Demiri, Alimi, Totre, Hasani (79′ Useini), Stênio Júnior, Radeski (56′ Kirovski), Ibraimi.

In Kratovo, Sileks was no match for Vardar who cruised to a 3:0 victory. Two defenders, Nemanja Mijušković and Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, netted the first two goals for Vardar, while the final goal came courtesy of substitute Jasir Asani. Asani had the best goal with an accurate shot from the edge of the area. With the win, Vardar remained in second place, trailing Shkendija by only one point.

Look at the three Vardar goals:

Sileks: Mitrović, Timovski, Mickov, Rudan, Gucev, Panovski (63′ Gorgiev), Gligorov, Ivanov, Duranski, Acevski (71′ Mitevski), Nedeljković (78′ Filipovski).

Vardar: Pachovski, Hambardzumyan, Mijušković, Grncharov, Popov, Nikolov, Dashyan, Ljamchevski (55′ Stojkov), Juan Felipe (85′ Temelkov), Blazhevski (73′ Asani), Ivanovski.

Rabotnichki finally got back on track, but it wasn’t easy. Despite facing last placed Metalurg at home, they could not do much 11 on 11. Instead, this game completely turned around just before halftime when Darko Ilieski of Metalurg received a red card (two yellow cards). That also led to a Rabotnichki penalty which was converted by Mite Cikarski. Rabotnichki would then add another goal early in the 2nd half, via Bazhe Ilijoski, to complete the 2:0 scoreline.

Rabotnichki: Bozhinovski, Cardona, Najdovski, Ristevski, Cikarski, Trajchevski, Petrovikj, Markoski, Sahiti (55′ Ristovski), Altiparmakovski (89′ Elmas), Ilijoski (90′ Jovanoski).

Metalurg: Dimovski, Stancheski (56′ Stojanovski), Mitrevski, Krivanjeva, Gjorgievski, Ilieski, Karanfilovski (63′ Lekoski), Bakracheski (68′ Naumoski), Danoski, Angelov, Naumoski.

Renova and Bregalnica shared the points in Bogovinje. Birthday boy Izair Emini (turned 30 on Sunday) scored the opening goal for Renova in the 56th minute, but Bregalnica equalized two minutes later through Goran Zdravkov. It is often said that a team is most vulnerable after scoring a goal, and that proved to be the case here. Renova lost some concentration after their goal, leading Bregalnica to pounce and collect one point.

Renova players celebrate Emini's birthday; photo: Valon Neziri

Renova: Efremov, Memedi, Mishkovski, Musliu, Selmani (83′ Jusufi), Mojsov (68′ Ramadani), Gafuri, Shabani (80′ Skenderi), Fetai, Nuhi, Emini.

Bregalnica: Zahov, Mitrev, Tonev, Nikovski, Kostov (46′ Stanković), Hristov, Zdravkov, Ristovski, Kocev, Velkovski, Nacev (70′ Iliev).

In the last match, Turnovo edged Mladost 1:0. Valentin Kochoski, a member of the Macedonian U19 national team, notched the only goal of the game in the 54th minute. Turnovo overall was the better team and deservedly won the game.

Turnovo vs. Mladost shortly before kick-off

Turnovo: Stoilkov, Tashev, Iliev, Ivanov, Milushev, Tafe, Mavrov, Tanushev (50′ Matute), Kochoski (67′ Bozhinov), Imeri, Pandev (82′ Taipi).

Mladost: Petrovski, N. Veljanoski, Elmazovski, T. Veljanoski, Grozdanoski, Dalcheski, Simjanovski (46′ Dimoski), Markovski (80′ Velevski), Konjarski, Sali, Kalanoski.

Round 9 results:

Shkupi – Shkendija 0:2
63′ Ferhan Hasani, 74′ Besart Ibraimi

Sileks – Vardar 0:3
29′ Nemanja Mijušković, 66′ Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, 84′ Jasir Asani

Rabotnichki – Metalurg 2:0
45′ (pen) Mite Cikarski, 48′ Bazhe Ilijoski

Renova – Bregalnica 1:1
56′ Izair Emini – 58′ Goran Zdravkov

Turnovo – Mladost 1:0
54′ Valentin Kochoski

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