The Macedonian U-21 national team lost 3:1 to the corresponding Belarusian team in a friendly match played in Belek, Antalya.
Macedonia played a tactically good first half in which we missed several promising opportunities to score a goal. Dimitar Trajkov was the first to threaten, but his shot was easily tamed by the opposing goalkeeper. Belarus managed to score a goal from its first opportunity for 1:0. The team of coach Goran Stanić was able to quickly return to the game, Dimitar Trajkov found himself in a phenomenal opportunity, but his shot was blocked at the last moment. Dimitar Trajkov had another good opportunity, but his header ended wide of the goal.
In the extra time, the opponent scored from a penalty for 2:0. Macedonia tried hard, creating opportunities, but without realization. The small carelessness and mistake in the midfield, the Belarusian team took full advantage of and managed to take the lead with 3:0. Kire Stojanov reduced the opponent's lead. After the goal, Macedonia continued to attack and create chances, but we were unlucky in the final.
The match was marked by a disastrous delegation of justice by the Turkish referees. Namely, at half-time, the Belarusian footballer, Kiril Tsepenkov, was taken out of the game, but in the second half he re-entered the game in place of another player who had left the field due to injury. The referees were aware of the situation and the mistake made by the Belarusian team, but did not react, allowing Kiril Tsepenkov to finish the match. In the end, the Belarusian footballer scored the third goal of today's match.
Macedonia: Ljupce Dzekov, Daniel Markovski, Benan Hamidovic, Gjorge Dzekov, Andrej Velkov, Dimitar Trajkov, Matej Angelov, Adrian Zendelovski, Nikola Manojlov, Martin Gjorgievski, Nikola Velichkovski.
Coach: Goran Stanic
