Macedonia's national football team played out a goalless draw against Belgium in Ghent to retain first place after a visit to the group's biggest favourites. This is a big point that provides even greater motivation ahead of the remaining two matches, against Kazakhstan on Monday in Skopje and next month against Wales in Cardiff.
Belgium played the role of the favorite, coach Blagoja Milevski decided to give them complete possession of the ball, but therefore built a solid defense in front of the fantastic Stole Dimitrievski in goal.
In the 13th minute, the first serious threat came. Kostadinov headed the ball short, Kevin de Bruyne took the shot, but it was blocked at the last moment.
Seven minutes later, De Bruyne took a corner, pulled it 16 yards out, and Salemakers took a powerful volley, but it ended up over the goal.
The Belgians put new pressure on the 26th minute. Doku was able to threaten Stole Dimitrievski's goal, but was blocked by Jani Atanasov at the last moment.
Just five minutes later, Leandro Trossar headed the ball over the crossbar.
At the beginning of the second half, the pressure on the home team was even greater. Kevin de Bruyne decided to take a shot from 18 meters with his left foot in the 53rd minute, but Stole Dimitrievski made an excellent save.
Next was Doku in the 61st minute. He received a ball in transition from De Bruyne, got rid of the keeper in front of him, but was again blocked by Stole Dimitrievski.
The match entered the final period, and the Belgians still had no solution. They tried more and more often through Doku, who created opportunities for his teammates on the left. In the 77th minute, after Doku's pass, Tomoti Kastani failed to convert from close range.
Five minutes later, Doku passed down the left side again, Openda shot towards the goal, but the ball ended up in a corner from the block.
In the 88th minute, another strong shot by Openda from 20 meters, but again Stole Dimitrievski was excellent on goal.
Macedonia won a big point in Ghent, but now the focus should immediately turn to the next challenge, Kazakhstan on Monday in Skopje.
BELGIUM – MACEDONIA 0-0
Planet Group Arena in Ghent. Attendance: 20,000.
Referee: Umut Meller (Turkey).
Archers: /
J. Cartoni: Theate, De Bruyne (B) – Ashkovski, Kostadinov (M).
BELGIUM: Courtois, Castagne (89' Meunier), Debaste, Theate, De Kuyper (89' Seys), Vanaken (75' Onana), Raskin, De Bruyne, Salemakers (59' Openda), Doku, Trossard (75' Fofana).
Selector: Rudy Garcia.
MACEDONIA: Dimitrievski. Zajkov, Stojchevski (74' Despotovski), Musliu (83' Velkovski), Ashkovski (46' Čurlinov), Alioski, Bardi, Atanasov (74' Alimi), Kostadinov, Elmas, Miovski (57' M. Ristovski).
Coach: Blagoja Milevski.
