Shkëndija defeated FK Skopje 3-0 in the final match of the opening round of Macedonia’s new championship. The match was played at the FFM complex, with the Tetovo side superior in every aspect of the game.
Shkëndija had an excellent chance to take the lead as early as the second minute. Krieziu crossed from the left, Zejnulai headed from close range, but Kristian Naumovski made an excellent save.
In the tenth minute, Zejnulai scored, but the goal was disallowed after VAR determined that Krieziu had been offside at the start of the move.
In the 17th minute, Shkëndija took the lead. Fad Nzengue unleashed a powerful shot from around ten metres at an angle from the left and beat Kristian Naumovski.
The Tetovo side had several more chances before the end of the first half, but they went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
At the start of the second half, Fabrice Tamba unleashed a powerful shot in the 51st minute, and Naumovski turned it behind for a corner. Five minutes later, Tamba shot again, but this time Naumovski saved with his foot.
In the 66th minute, Fabrice Tamba finally got the better of Naumovski. Following Trumçi’s cross, Tamba shot on the turn, and although Naumovski thought he had smothered the ball, it eventually crossed the goal line for 2-0.
The third goal followed in the 75th minute. Sebastian Spahiu broke down the left and played in Rafa Silva, who sent a powerful shot from 16 metres into Skopje’s net.
Two minutes later, Rafa Silva also struck the post with a long-range effort. In the 82nd minute, Fetai also had a chance following a corner from the left, but he shot wide.
Late on, following a VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Shkëndija after Marko Gjorgjievski was brought down in the box, but Besart Ibraimi failed to convert the spot-kick. FK Skopje goalkeeper Kristian Naumovski made an excellent save.
