National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Frai Shehu made the kick off which started today's match. Albania's Marjus Dragoti managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Ivo Projkov in the 2 minute of the game. Ognen Čaparovski could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 5th minute of the match, but Marjus Laçka made a huge save. 8 minutes into the game, Albania's Frai Shehu nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Spase Kastrati made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. In the 15th minute Frai Shehu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Spase Kastrati saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Thanks to some nice moves Deljan Nastevski could shoot a difficult shot in the 23rd minute, which Marjus Laçka however easily saved by the left post. Spase Kastrati made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Frai Shehu in the 24th minute of play. Macedonia's Spase Kastrati played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Frai Shehu in the 26th minute of play. With a little luck, Albania's Marjus Laçka got control of the ball when Deljan Nastevski tried to sneak it across the goal line. Spase Kastrati showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Frai Shehu, who was totally free with the ball in the 36th minute. In the 38th minute of the match Albania got a corner. Macedonia's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Nexhat Shaho ran over to the corner to take the kick. Spase Kastrati showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nexhat Shaho, who was totally free with the ball in the 39th minute. Albania's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Nexhat Shaho in the 40th minute. If Frai Shehu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Marjus Laçka was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Deljan Nastevski showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-1 in the 47 minute of play. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Jakov Bundev was the one to do the kick off. The crowd rose to their feet as Albania's Frai Shehu slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Spase Kastrati. That made the score 1-2 after 53 minutes of play. Macedonia's Spase Kastrati proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 58th minute of the match, managed to save Macedonia from getting a goal against them. Frai Shehu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 63rd minute, Frai Shehu managed to get in a good position for a shot. Albania's supporters rose to their feet, but Frai Shehu was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Spase Kastrati breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Marjus Laçka stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Deljan Nastevski's shot from short distance in the 65th minute. 69 minutes into the match, Albania's goal looked a bit too open when Deljan Nastevski came free, but Marjus Laçka reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Macedonia's zone, Frai Shehu stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Spase Kastrati came out of the goal and Frai Shehu tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Macedonia's Georgi Zafirski was substituted for Baškim Sumulikovski. Macedonia's Gorjan Avramovski was substituted for Artan Topalovski. Albania's Marjus Laçka played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Deljan Nastevski in the 74th minute of play. Spase Kastrati took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Frai Shehu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Macedonia's Ramadan Hristov was substituted for Deljan Nastevski. Spase Kastrati showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Frai Shehu, who was totally free with the ball in the 84th minute. In the 85th minute of the match Albania got a corner. Macedonia's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Nexhat Shaho ran over to the corner to take the kick. After some fancy dribbling in the 88th minute, Frai Shehu managed to get in a good position for a shot. Albania's supporters rose to their feet, but Frai Shehu was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Spase Kastrati breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The supporters of Albania booed when Macedonia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lefter Trpev didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Frai Shehu in the 91st minute of play forced Macedonia's goalkeeper Spase Kastrati to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ramadan Hristov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marjus Laçka read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 92nd minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ramadan Hristov in the 93rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marjus Laçka saved Albania from getting behind. Albania's Marjus Laçka played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ramadan Hristov in the 97th minute of play. Albania's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.