The Tetovo derby lived up to expectations, offering exciting football, comebacks and five goals. Although the hosts took the lead first, Bashkimi’s furious first-half display saw them take the points back to Kumanovo.
The match began at a lively pace, and the home crowd celebrated in the 5th minute, when Tamba opened the scoring to give Shkëndija a 1-0 lead. However, the „red-and-blacks“„ celebrations were short-lived. Just five minutes later, the visiting forward Avornio took advantage of the first serious opportunity and levelled the score at 1-1. After the equaliser, Shkëndija tried to regain the lead. In the 17th minute, Besart Ibraimi threatened with a powerful shot from 17 metres, but the visitors“ goalkeeper, Amir Jashar, rose to the occasion. Bashkimi responded through Redžep Murati, who unleashed a real “missile” from a free kick, but the ball went just wide of the post.
Jashar produced another brilliant save in the 24th minute, denying Zejnulai’s shot after he struck powerfully following a combination with Ibraimi.
The key moments came towards the end of the first half. First, in the 34th minute, Avornio delivered an excellent cross from the left, and Nikel Or beat goalkeeper Gaje with a precise left-footed shot to make it 1-2.
Just four minutes later, Bashkimi struck again. Panovski skilfully broke into the penalty area and assisted Nikel Or, who found the unguarded corner of the home net for the second time today, increasing the lead to 1-3.
The second half belonged to the Tetovo side, who were trying to get back into the game. After several missed chances by Latifi and Zejnulai, Besart Ibraimi restored the hosts’ hope in the 65th minute. He headed Krasniqi’s dangerous cross into the net to make it 2-3.
Before the end, Bashkimi had a golden chance to seal the victory through Aleksovski in the 70th minute, but his attempt finished centimetres wide of the goal. In the final action of the match, Meliqi could have levelled the score, but after a corner he failed to find the net from just five metres, sending the ball over the crossbar.
In the 30th round, Shkëndija will face Sileks in Kratovo, while Bashkimi will take on Vardar.
