After reviewing the performances of Macedonian football players over the month of April, we put a list of the best starting 11 during that span. We compiled stats such as games played, goals, assists and clean sheets to determine which players deserved to be on the team.
The 4-1-3-2 formation was chosen for the team of the month for April. The selection process featured some easy choices such as Agim Ibraimi, Nikolche Noveski and Stevica Ristic but also tougher decisions in several other positions.
Martin Bogatinov
Bogatinov was the most deserving candidate to be the goalkeeper on the team of the month. Martin actually began the month of April as a backup but was then given a chance in the domestic cup quarterfinals after the usual starting keeper was not named in the Karpaty squad. Bogatinov took advantage of his opportunity and started four games in April, keeping a clean sheet two times. In addition, he helped Karpaty reach the semifinals of the Ukrainian Cup, where Martin saved a huge penalty in extra time to force a penalty shootout. Karaty eventually lost in the penalty kicks but Bogatinov had a good month and regained the starting keeper job for his club team.
Daniel Ivanovski
The selection at right-back came down to Ivanovski and Stefan Ristovski of Frosinone. Both players have been receiving praise for their play but Ivanovski was given the nod by playing in a better league (Swedish top league as opposed to Italian third division). Ivanovski partook in six games during April and was part of a Mjällby defense that kept a clean sheet on three different occasions.
Vanche Shikov
The two center back choices for the team of the month were pretty easy. Shikov and Noveski stood out from their competitors at the position. Pertaining to Shikov, he featured in five games for Volyn over April, two of them resulting in clean sheets, and also helped his club reach the Ukrainian Cup semifinals where they were narrowly eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk.
Nikolche Noveski
Noveski, who turned 33 years old on 28 April, had a great month and showed that he can still play at a high level. Noveski took part in all five games for Mainz, playing the maximum 450 minutes, and four of those matches finished without a goal for the opponents.
Yani Urdinov
The toughest decision on the team of the month came down at left-back between Yani Urdinov and Goran Popov. Both players compiled one assist in April but overall, we felt Urdinov was more deserving. Urdinov played in seven games during the month, all of them resulting in clean sheets for Ekranas, while Popov played in just three games for Dynamo Kyiv. The decision proved to be difficult since Popov plays in a much better league but the added four games on Urdinov’s behalf in April, and the fact that all resulted in clean sheets, gave Yani the nod at left-back.
Muhamed Demiri
The defensive midfielder on team of the month will be Muhamed Demiri. Demiri has been consistent for Thun, taking part in all four games during April, and helping his club maintain the fourth position on the standings. Two of the four games concluded in clean sheets.
Dragan Nachevski
Nachevski was the lone player on the team from the Macedonian domestic league. Dragan compiled five goals and two assists in five games for Metalurg during April, leading his club to four victories in that stretch. That has allowed Metalurg to remain in second place, just ahead of Shkendija.
Mario Gjurovski
Gjurovski, as the playmaker, has already become a fan favorite amongst the Muangthong United fans. The attacking midfielder had a productive month with two goals and two assists in four games, and his team is currently at the top of the table in Thailand.
Agim Ibraimi
Agim is coming off a great April in which he scored five goals to go along with one assist in seven games for Maribor. In April, Maribor clinched the league title and also advanced to the domestic cup final, in large part due to the great form of Ibraimi.
Aleksandar Stankov
Most of the bigger name strikers, whether because of injuries, suspensions or not performing up to par, did not do enough to warrant a spot on the team, which opened up a place for Aleksandar Stankov of Dutch second division side Oss. Stankov scored four goals in five games over the month of April.
Stevica Ristic
Ristic had a solid April with three goals and two assists in six games for Suwon, leading his club to go undefeated over the month with four wins and two draws.
