Vardar’s U19 team lifted the the Macedonian Cup trophy after they outplayed and beat rivals Shkendija with 4:0.
photo by FK Vardar Skopje: the players celebrate with the trophy
Shkendija lost a second youth cup final today. After their U18 team got hammered by Rabotnichki earlier today, this afternoon Vardar outplayed them in the U19 final. Vardar was the favorite since several of their young players are already playing in the senior team in the Macedonian first league and their experience was no match for the Shkendija youth.
The Skopje based team dominated, created more chances and put a hand on the trophy after just one half as they made a 3:0 lead in the opening 45 minutes. Velkovski scored a brace and later Ibishi added the third. All three goals came after just twenty minutes of play.
Vardar could have easily added a fourth six minutes from time when substitute Jusuf found himself one on one with keeper Abazi, tried to trick him by sending the ball between his legs but the Shkendija goalee reacted well. Still, three minutes later the fourth goal was eventually scored. Adem was brought down in the box by Redjepi and the same player successfully converted the penalty kick.
Shkendija were cup holders in this category as well as last season they celebrated on penalties against Rabotnichki.
The way to the final for Vardar began with an impressive 14:0 win over Struga, then two wins (5:1 and 2:1) against Makedonija GjP, while in the semifinal they again recorded two wins, this time against Rabotnichki (2:1 and 1:0).
Petar Miloshevski stadium in Skopje
Shkendija – Vardar 0:4 (0:3)
Goals: 13′, 18′ David Velkovski, 20′ Djemal Ibishi, 88′ (pen) Ali Adem
Shkendija: 25. Bujar Abazi; 2. Etnik Mustafa (46′ 17. Ediz Spahiu), 3. Almir Redjepi, 4. Jeton Shahini, 5. Atmir Bakija (67′ 14. Ilber Karimani), 6. Elvir Ramikj, 8. Besart Redjepi (C), 9. Albin Ramadani (89′ 13. Ermir Arslani), 10. Florent Ramadani (90′ 16. Genti Ameti), 11. Atdhe Mazari (71′ 18. Premtim Jakupi), 19. Ensar Ljuma (79′ 15. Albert Salmani).
Vardar: 1. Matej Andov; 2. Jovica Radevski (89′ 13. Hristijan Petkovski), 3. Marko Tasev (76′ 19. Antonio Bozhinoski), 4. Aleksandar Gjorgjieski (80′ 18. Aleksandar Mladenovski), 5. Stefan Naumcheski, 6. Marko Stojcheski, 7. David Velkovski (63′ 17. Fitor Redjepi), 8. Ali Adem (C), 9. Bojan Kolevski (84′ 20. Mustafa Jusuf), 10. Bojan Dimoski, 11. Djemal Ibishi (76′ 14. Viktor Peshevski).
Yellow cards: Spahiu (Sh), Stojcheski, Redjepi (V)
Red cards: /
Referee: Marjan Dejanoski (Kichevo)
Assistants: Martin Dejanoski & Osman Zekjiri (Kichevo)
Fourth official: Fatmir Bafto (Ohrid)