Shkendija is is the champions of the 2020/21 season in the Macedonian top flight after securing the title on Sunday with four rounds left.

photo by KF Shkendija Tetovo: the players celebrate winning the 1.MFL

The Tetovo based team welcomed Borec in a match in which they were deciding for themselves no matter the result of runners-up Shkupi. The Veles visitors took a surprising lead and even went on the break with it, but in the second 45 minutes Shkendija added three goals and grabbed the needed win. This is the 4th title for Shkendija after previously wining the 2010/11, 2017/18 and 2018/19 editions.

Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Shkendija – Borec 3:1 (0:1)
Goals: 62′ Mevlan Murati, 64′ Besart Ibraimi, 68′ Rubin Hebaj – 13′ (og) Egzon Bejtulai
Referee: Konstantin Vlaho (Skopje)

A real battle for the 3rd place, last that leads into the Europa Conference League, took place in the Macedonian capital where Makedonija GjP hosted 4th placed Struga. The Lions took the lead four minutes before the break from the spot and maintained it until the very end. The visitors were downed to 10 men when substitute Tairi got sent off, but that didn’t stop them from turning the result around. Six minutes from time Struga started the remuntada. Altiparmakovski converted a penalty and Serbian defender Bosančić scored a leading goal in the last minute. However, Aleksovski equalized in the 2nd minute of the stoppage time, but just two minutes later Altiparmakovski celebrated a brace by converting another penalty and giving his team a very important win over the direct rivals. The Lions are still 3rd, but Struga is now just a point away.

Gjorche Petrov stadium in Skopje
Makedonija GjP – Struga 2:3 (1:0)
Goals: 41′ (pen) Robson, 90’+2 Filip Aleksovski – 84′ (pen), 90’+4 (pen) Marjan Altiparmakovski, 90′ Nemanja Bosančić
Red cards: 72′ Flamur Tairi (S), 90’+4 Esmin Lichina (M)
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (Skopje)

Vardar recorded a much needed win over last placed Belasicva who is now officially relegated. Krstevski broke the dead lock allowing Vardar to keep dreaming of survival.

National Arena Toshe Proeski in Skopje
Vardar – Belasica 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 31′ Viktor Krstevski
Red cards: 64′ Hristijan Chukarski (B)
Referee: Jovan Kachevski (Struga)

The Cup finalists opened this round on Saturday when they faced in Kratovo. The hosts went on the break with a 2:0 lead, added a third 15 minutes from time, but allowed the visitors to get back in game by scoring two goals. At the end, Sileks managed to hold the lead and win the points.

 

Sileks stadium in Kratovo
Sileks – Akademija Pandev 3:2 (2:0)
Goals: 17′ Dejan Tanturovski, 24′ David Manasievski, 75′ Pepi Gorgiev – 76′ (pen) Marjan Radeski, 82′ Bojan Dimoski
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Ohrid)

Big win for Pelister despite being with a lone goal.  They defeated relegation rivals Renova thanks to Goudiaby’s opening half goal and are now 6 point ahead of the last place that leads into the relegation play-offs. In the 57th minute the visitors failed to equalize as home keeper Davor Taleski saved a penalty kick to Ale Jasharoski, while on the rebound made another great save of Nenad Mishkovski’s effort.

Pod Tumbe Kafe stadium in Bitola
Pelister – Renova 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: 24′ Oumar Goudiaby
Referee: Igor Stojchevski (Skopje)

Shkupi ruined Rabotnichki’s chances of reaching the 3rd place by scoring two late goals. The Debar Maalo team is still 7 points away from the ECL spot and with 4 rounds left it is almost impossible for them to reach it.

Petar Miloshevski stadium in Skopje
Shkupi – Rabotnichki 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: 79′ Matej Cvetanovski, 89′ Besar Iseni
Referee: Aleksandar Grujoski (Kichevo)

The next round is scheduled for Wednesday as the battle for avoiding relegation is highly intense. Vardar, Renova, Sileks, Borec and Akademija Pandev all have chances to survive, get relegated or end up in the relegation play-offs.