League Play-Off

Aračinovo Gradski St
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Aračinovo FK's Bajuk Demači got a good chance for a goal in the 2nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 5th minute, Nace Uzunov had to leave the field with a concussion. In the 6th match minute, Strumica Sloga was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gorjan Dončevski to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jane Solunčevski in the 11th minute of play forced Aračinovo FK's goalkeeper Brane Kostov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gazmir Atanasov blasted a shot towards the goal in the 15th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Betim Canev having to make a save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Jane Solunčevski in the 17th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Brane Kostov saved Aračinovo FK from getting behind. With a little luck, Strumica Sloga's Betim Canev got control of the ball when Gazmir Atanasov tried to sneak it across the goal line. 26 minutes into the match, Jane Solunčevski had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Brane Kostov. Aračinovo FK's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Jane Solunčevski was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. In the 31st minute the ball was on its way in behind Aračinovo FK's goalkeeper Brane Kostov, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Jane Solunčevski fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 32nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brane Kostov having to interfere. Gazmir Atanasov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Betim Canev having to interfere. Brane Kostov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Antim Bajrami in the 42nd minute of the match. The long shot by Canko Veseli in the 44th minute really tested Betim Canev's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Gazmir Atanasov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Betim Canev tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Gazmir Atanasov to make the kick off. Gorjan Dončevski could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 54th minute of the match, but Brane Kostov made a huge save. When Zvonimir Markovski fell near the penalty area in the 56th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Strumica Sloga's protests and gave Zvonimir Markovski a yellow card for diving instead. Betim Canev took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kostadin Kuzmanov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jane Solunčevski in the 65th minute of play forced Aračinovo FK's goalkeeper Brane Kostov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 67 minutes into the game, Ostoja Kostadinov was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Strumica Sloga's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Aračinovo FK the free kick. A collision led to Strumica Sloga getting a freekick after 67 minutes play. Ostoja Kostadinov hit a great ball. After a defensive mix-up in Strumica Sloga's zone, Gazmir Atanasov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Betim Canev came out of the goal and Gazmir Atanasov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Brane Kostov made an important save on a dangerous shot by Antim Bajrami in the 78th minute. In the 88th minute Jane Solunčevski shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brane Kostov saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Jane Solunčevski recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 96th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Strumica Sloga had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.