Macedonia national team head coach Goce Sedloski today announced the list of called-up players for the four Nations League matches against Switzerland, Slovenia and Scotland.
The list includes four debutants: defenders Anes Melidji and Gjorgje Djekov, midfielder Matej Gashtarov and Struga forward Hristijan Maleski.
Mario Mladenovski is also returning to the national team after a four-year absence, having earned another call-up with his good performances for Varazdin.
Macedonia will open the campaign on 26 September at home against Switzerland, followed by the away match against Slovenia on 29 September, the home match against Scotland on 3 October and the away match against Switzerland on 6 October.
„We can expect fighting spirit, commitment and maximum effort in every match. I have never had four matches in ten days as a player. That is why I called up 25 players and three goalkeepers. We will have to rotate, and more players will get a chance. I wanted to combine youth and experience. The door to the national team is not closed to anyone, but this is my choice for these four matches,“ said Sedloski.
The head coach expects the team to build the necessary compactness and chemistry during the short preparation period.
„We must be compact. We will use these five days to show that we have team chemistry. Never before have six players from the First Macedonian League been called up. Omeragic and Maleski scored around thirty goals last season, and they are regularly finding the net this season as well, so they deserved the call-up. Rastoder and Miovski are also here, and I think we are well equipped in attack. We have gone four matches without scoring, but I believe the attack will start functioning as well. I think the midfield is our strength,“ the head coach added.
Sedloski announced changes in the defensive line as well, with Ilievski one of the options on the right side, while Stojcevski is also in contention. He left open the possibility of further additions to the squad.
„I want us to win all four matches, but the reality is that our opponents have their own qualities. At this moment, we are thinking only about the first match and Switzerland. I watched their matches at the World Cup and I think they will be the favourites in the group. But I believe we can compete with them, as well as with Scotland and Slovenia,“ said Sedloski.
The head coach also addressed the club situations of several national team players. He is particularly pleased that Elif Elmas has found a setting where he will have the opportunity to play regularly.
„I am pleased that Elmas has found a club where he will play regularly. I also spoke with Miovski, who at one point had his thoughts elsewhere than Rangers. But then there was a turnaround and the coach promised him playing time. I will be happiest if our footballers play regularly and are in competitive rhythm,“ said Sedloski.
At the press conference, one of the topics Sedloski spoke about was Matej Gashtarov.
I spoke with Matej and he would have received a call-up even before joining Red Star’s first team. I am eagerly waiting to call him up; we have five days of training and we will also work tactically. I see him in midfield, but he is versatile and can play in several positions, said Sedloski.
