MACEDONIA - 2014 World Cup Qualifying thread

[Macedonian_Nationalist]

Finally the FFM has grown some nuts and parted ways with that criminal Hadzi Ristevski and replaced him with Ilcho Gjorgioski. Chedo Janevski has just been appointed coach. I don't know much about these guys or domestic Macedonian football so if someone could fill us in then that would be great.

We are in Group A with Croatia, Servia, Scotland, Belgium and Wales. First game is on the 7th of September away to Croatia.

Are we a chance?

Here is the fixture:

07.09.12
Croatia - Macedonia

11.09.12
Scotland - Macedonia

12.10.12
Macedonia - Croatia

16.10.12
Macedonia - Serbia

22.03.13
Macedonia - Belgium

26.03.13
Belgium - Macedonia

06.09.13
Macedonia - Wales

10.09.13
Macedonia - Scotland

11.10.13
Wales - Macedonia

15.10.13
Serbia - Macedonia

[DirtyCodingHabitz]

Don't they use the fyrom flag and fyrom name in sports?

[EgejskaMakedonia]

It's definitely a better group than we've had in the past, but I still don't see us qualifying. When you constantly lose to teams like Armenia in Euro qualifiers and even Luxembourg (recent friendly), I don't see us beating the likes of Serbia, Croatia and even Scotland.

That said, hopefully these changes bring about a positive attitude to the squad. My expectations are set very low, so it will only take a few wins for me to see any improvement in the team.

[Momce Makedonce]

Glad to see Ristevski gone. The appointment of the new manager of Janevski was a good decision I have heard good things about him. The former manager Thosack was not willing to reside in Macedonia which was one of the major issues with him while Janevski said he will. I will still hope but its a very difficult group. Macedonia has so much potential as a footballing nation but there has always been stupid people in charge. Hopefully with these new appointments we are heading in the right direction. We were quite a team in the early and mid 2000`s. Lets hope this returns one day soon.

[United MKD]

We definitely have no chance to qualify, but we do have a good chance of getting a result in every game so that is a bonus. The appointment of Janevski as coach is great, best coach in a long time so I am quietly confident. I won't judge him too harshly these first two games considering he's only had 2-3 weeks to prepare. Two tough games away to Croatia and Scotland, if we can get a draw in both it would be great.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Don't they use the fyrom flag and fyrom name in sports?

They sure do, and they accept it too. Pathetic.

I think it will be more like this:

[Macedonian_Nationalist]

Will this be streamed anywhere on the net?

[United MKD]

Yeah should be a few Croat streams - will post closer to kick off.

[Stojacanec]

I have it on Setanta sport. It will be 8.30am Adelaide time on Saturday. Fingers crossed for a competative match. Maybe a win.

The Greeks may want to send a protest letter because Setanta sport are advertising the match as Croatia vs MACEDONIA!

[United MKD]

Tuesday night (Wed morning) we're playing Scotland in Glasgow that'll also be on Setanta.

[Macedonian_Nationalist]

Yeah should be a few Croat streams - will post closer to kick off.

Would any of them work on an iPad? (adobe flash doesn't work on iPads)..

What time is it on Melbourne time?

[United MKD]

Not sure but I think it should, usually for streams you don't need adobe flash. 2.15am Perth time so 4.15am Melbourne time.

[Macedonian_Nationalist]

Croatia 1 Macedonia 0

[Macedonian_Nationalist]

In an equal game Macedonia had no luck and a single mistake brought the three points to Croatia with Nikica Jelavić scoring the winning goal for a 1:0 home win.


Macedonia started the qualifications for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a defeat. All the optimism an positive atmosphere were broken in the second half by the Croats who used a confusion in the Macedonian defense and score the game winning goal.

Croatia started furiously the match and could even take an early lead as Eduardo hit the bar with a header in the very first minute. Macedonia quickly recovered and took the possesion creating more chances. In the 20th minute Pandev was brought down by Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, but the Israeli referee waved the hand denying a penalty. Than in the 32nd minute Macedonia had a corner and Vanche Shikov's header was cleared from the goal line by Darijo Srna. A bit later Pandev with a great shot from 20 meters had no luck as the ball hit the post and fell outside the goal line. Macedonia concluded the first half with 5 corners, Croatia just 1. Macedonia had also more shots, but the half-time result was still 0:0.

In the second half, the Croatians made a substitution that refreshed their game. Niko Kranjčar came in instead Ivan Rakitić and eventually Croatia was more efficient. But their possesion ended after the 55th minute and Macedonia again started to play better. But, in the 62nd minute, the substitute Nikica Jelavić opened the score. Luca Modrić was outside the box, his long ball reached Mario Mandžukić who with a header assisted to Jelavić who also with a header scored the goal. It was Goran Popov's mistake that led to the goal, he left Jelavić to go and mark Mandžukić that happened to be crucial. Than Croatia started holding the ball more and Macedonia failed to make serious chances.

"In the first half we hit the post, there was a clearance of the ball from the goal line, and a very suspicious penalty situation with Pandev, but that's football. The referees are making decisions in a second, it's not easy for them. I didn't notice the difference between Macedonia and Croatia that is shown by their ratings, therefore I can't make remarks to the players as we deserved at least a point. I congratulate Croatia, now we will put our thoughts towards Scotland." said Macedonian national team coach Chedomir Janevski after the game. This was for him his debut.

In the other game in our group, Belgium beat Wales away with 2:0. After James Collins got a direct red card in the 26th minute and left wales with 10 men, first Vincent Kompany brought Belgians the lead just four minute before the break, and the final 0:2 were put by Jan Vertonghen in the 83rd minute. Scotland and Serbia are playing on Saturday. Macedonia's next game is on Tuesday against Scotland away.

[Macedonian_Nationalist]

Seems we were unlucky not to get the win here.

Only 8000 spectators. Do Croats have better things to do?

Lets get a win now in Scotland.