National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) U21 Macedonia's Sande Kočovski started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 3 minutes into the match, U21 Macedonia's goal looked a bit too open when Julian Behrami came free, but Veljko Cvetanov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 4thth minute of the game Julian Behrami who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but U21 Macedonia's Veljko Cvetanov was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 6th minute, Skënder Kotomelo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 6 minutes into the match, U21 Albania's goal looked a bit too open when Cvetan Dejanovič came free, but Markel Laraku reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 7 minutes into the game, Paskal Partenijev was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 Macedonia's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Albania the free kick. Paskal Partenijev hit a great freekick 7 minutes into the match. U21 Macedonia's Veljko Cvetanov proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 8th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Macedonia from getting a goal against them. Xhevat Qeraxhius short, quick shot in the 10thth minute got Veljko Cvetanov to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Veljko Cvetanov made a fantastic save in the 14th minute, when Xhevat Qeraxhiu sent off a good shot on target. Markel Laraku showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Zamir Smilevski, who was totally free with the ball in the 15th minute. Markel Laraku made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sande Kočovski in the 16th minute of play. In the 23rd match minute, U21 Macedonia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Zamir Smilevski to maneuver through the defense. Markel Laraku showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sande Kočovski in the 24th minute of the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Špend Gruevski during the 26th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. U21 Albania were awarded a corner in the 29th minute after U21 Macedonia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Përparim Bajraktari took the corner. U21 Albania's Përparim Bajraktari was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Veljko Cvetanov in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Xhevat Qeraxhiu in the 30thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Veljko Cvetanov, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Lisian Boja came free with the goalkeeper in the 32nd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Veljko Cvetanov could save by the left post. A collision led to U21 Macedonia getting a freekick after 33 minutes play. Špend Gruevski hit a great ball. In the 37th minute, U21 Albania's Julian Behrami dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. Xhevat Qeraxhiu recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 40th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Markel Laraku showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sande Kočovski in the 42nd minute of the match. Xhevat Qeraxhiu could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 45th minute of the match, but Veljko Cvetanov made a huge save. 47 minutes into the match, Cvetan Dejanovič had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Markel Laraku. U21 Albania's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cvetan Dejanovič was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.
When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Xhevat Qeraxhiu made a kick off. In the 58th minute of the match Shkëlzen Ibrahimi shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Veljko Cvetanov showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. After 58 played minutes U21 Macedonia got a freekick which was hit by Besnik Savevski. In the 59th minute, Besnik Savevski hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 61 minutes in the game, Minir Noli dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. U21 Macedonia's Ilija Jovčevski was substituted for Besnik Savevski. U21 Macedonia's Spiridon Bardhi was substituted for Špend Gruevski. 69 minutes into the match, Cvetan Dejanovič had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Markel Laraku. U21 Albania's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Cvetan Dejanovič was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. An unexpectedly hard shot by Minir Noli in the 73rd minute of play forced U21 Macedonia's goalkeeper Veljko Cvetanov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a little luck, U21 Albania's Markel Laraku got control of the ball when Sande Kočovski tried to sneak it across the goal line. 75 minutes into the game, U21 Macedonia's Cvetan Dejanovič nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Markel Laraku made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. Përparim Bajraktari's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Veljko Cvetanov read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 79th minute of play. U21 Macedonia's Veljko Cvetanov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Minir Noli in the 82nd minute of play. After a rather tough play, U21 Macedonia's Ilija Jovčevski got a free kick in the 83rd minute. In the 83rd minute, Julian Behrami ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Veljko Cvetanov was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-3. Spiridon Bardhi kicked well hit freekick during the 89th minute of the match. 92 minutes into the match, U21 Albania's goal looked a bit too open when Cvetan Dejanovič came free, but Markel Laraku reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Veljko Cvetanov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Julian Behrami, who was totally free with the ball in the 95th minute. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched U21 Macedonia eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.
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