After two consecutive draws, Shkëndija returned to winning ways, defeating Bashkimi 4-1 in Gostivar in the eighth-round match. The Red and Blacks started the match at a high tempo and took an early lead in the 15th minute through Ndzengue, following an assist from Tamba. Bashkimi managed to equalize in the 40th minute, when Ribeiro sent the ball into the penalty area from a free kick, and Fatih Ismaili reacted best to score for 1-1.
Right at the start of the second half, in the 46th minute, Trumçi broke forward down the right and played the ball to Krasniqi, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper, but Kryeziu followed up on the play and restored Shkëndija’s lead at 2-1. In the 51st minute, Jonuzi hit the post and came close to equalizing, but luck was not on Bashkimi’s side.
In the 71st minute, Tamba was once again left alone in the penalty area and converted to make it 3-1, while Trumçi delivered the final blow in the 87th minute. Following an attack down the left, the goalkeeper parried the ball in front of Tamba, but Trumçi was in the right place and sent it into the net for 4-1.
An efficient and dominant performance by the Tetovo side, who confirmed their attacking strength, while Bashkimi showed that they are a team on the rise and can pose a serious challenge to any opponent.
