Shkëndija suffered its first home defeat in the Conference League this season after falling to Samsunspor thanks to a lone goal tonight in Skopje.
photo by Samsunspor Kulübü
Head coach Jeton Bekjiri started with Baboucarr Gaye between the posts, in the defense Ronaldo Webster, Anes Meliqi, Imran Fetai and Mevlan Murati, in the midfield Adamu Alhassan, Reshat Ramadani and Arbin Zejnulai, Sebastjan Spahiu and Farbrice Tamba as wingers, while captain Besart Ibraimi up front.
The Turkish team came in Skopje with a coaching change as they had just fired Thomas Reis and substituted him with another German coach, Thorsten Fink. He had his first training with the team on Monday.
Samsunspor took the initiative from the kick-off. The 5th minute had just started when Fetai fouled Assoumou in the box and the Norwegian referee awarded a penalty kick. Ndiaye took the ball and sent it wide, missing a great opportunity for an early lead.
Shkendija had the first chance in the 18th minute when Tamba from the right went in the box, but his weak shot was an easy pray for Kucuk. In the very next minute Assoumou fired from inside the box, this time Gaye well saved.
The visitors kept controlling the game, but the next real chance came in the 39th minute. Holse found himself unmarked deep in the box, but somehow flipped the ball over the crossbar.
Six minutes after the break Ibraimi dribbled past four visiting players entering the box from right, but he slipped before finishing and his shot missed the target. Assoumou in the 54th minute had a similar attempt, but Gaye saved.
The 77th minute was underway when Holse from right found newly entered Mouandilmadji in the box, who managed to kick the ball before Fetai and broke the dead lock.
Le beau ballon de Carlo Holse pour Marius, Samsunspor plante en Macédoine ! pic.twitter.com/W1wtFumwTZ
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Two minutes from time Mouandilmadji could have doubled the lead after getting one on one with Gaye, but he missed the target.
The returg leg will be played next Thursday at 18.45 CET at the 19 Mayis stadium in Samsun.
“I am very happy for my first game. The players did well, thety fought good. We had more chances, while Shkendija waited for counter attacks. Nothing is done, we have the second match at home. We have good chances to reach the next round next Thursday” – said Samsunspor’s coach Thorsten Fink after the match.
“I think the opponent was the better team today, and I congratulate them. We were not at our best, but when you play against a quality opponent you have to use your chances to score. I hope we will play better in the road match.” – said Shkendija’s coach Jeton Bekjiri.