Vardar’s footballers ended the season triumphantly in the First League, celebrating their return to the throne in Macedonian football with a 3:0 victory over their biggest rivals, Shkëndija Tetovo.
This is Vardar’s first championship trophy in six years and the 12th in the club’s history overall.
The new champions took the lead in the 22nd minute when Numan Ajetović put the ball into his own net. In the 36th minute, Goran Zakarić made it 2:0, while Boban Nikolov sealed the triumph with a goal scored nine minutes before the end of the match.
Shkëndija had an opportunity to score a consolation goal, but Liridon Latifi failed to convert a penalty on two attempts.
After the first penalty, the goalkeeper of the “Red and Blacks”, Davor Taleski, reacted brilliantly and managed to save the second shot as well after referee Benjamin Qerimi decided that the penalty had to be retaken.
The new champions of Macedonia finished the season with 80 points, six more than Shkëndija. Goce Sedloski’s side recorded 25 wins and five draws, and tasted defeat only twice.
Azer Omeragić was the top scorer for the champions with 14 goals, while Mato Rogers, who left the team at mid-season, found the net 12 times. Goran Zakarić is third with 11 goals.
