Macedonia's U21 national football team ended its negative run of results and recorded a second victory over Armenia in this qualifying cycle, this time away in Yerevan with a 2:0 win, in the framework of Matchday 8 in the group.
Head coach Goran Stanić's men played maturely and with discipline, showing greater quality on the pitch and fully deserving to claim all three points. One goal in each half was enough for a second qualifying victory, as well as their first after a run of four consecutive defeats.
Macedonia took the initiative from the very start and signalled an attacking approach. Trajkov threatened early on, but the opposing goalkeeper Matinyan was equal to the task. During the first half, Stanić was forced to make a substitution due to Durakov's injury, and his replacement, Martin Gjorgievski, proved to be a key factor. He put Macedonia ahead just before the break, converting a penalty after Danev was brought down in the box. With that goal, Macedonia also ended a scoring drought that had lasted almost 300 minutes.
In the second half, the home side attempted to take the initiative, but Macedonia's defence remained solid and well organised. The final outcome was decided in the 76th minute, when, following an assist from Hamza, Ljatifі completed an excellent solo run with a precise shot to make it 0:2.
Until the end, Armenia had a chance to reduce the deficit, but goalkeeper Djekov made a confident save to keep a clean sheet.
Macedonia U21's next challenge will come in October, when they will welcome Montenegro in Skopje.
