National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Marcel Gradiček took the kick off in the first half of the match. In the 2nd minute, Marcel Gradiček made a precise shot to the right of Veljko Cvetanov. U21 Macedonia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. Veljko Cvetanov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Šandor Dajčić, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomislav Cvetanoski in the 11th minute of play forced U21 Croatia's goalkeeper Tomislav Kardum to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. U21 Macedonia's Veljko Cvetanov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Tonko Grković in the 14th minute of play. Veljko Cvetanov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Šandor Dajčić, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. U21 Macedonia's Veljko Cvetanov proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 18th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Macedonia from getting a goal against them. In the 22nd minute Erkand Boškovski shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tomislav Kardum saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 23 minutes into the match, U21 Macedonia's goal looked a bit too open when Marcel Gradiček came free, but Veljko Cvetanov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. U21 Croatia's Tomislav Kardum played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Boris Hristov in the 27th minute of play. After taking down the ball on U21 Macedonia's corner Branslav Fotev fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Tomislav Kardum quite easily take care of the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Marcel Gradiček in the 30th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Veljko Cvetanov prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience thought a goal was coming when Andrej Palković got free with Veljko Cvetanov in the 33rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Veljko Cvetanov made a fantastic save in the 34th minute, when Šandor Dajčić sent off a good shot on target. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomislav Cvetanoski in the 35th minute of play forced U21 Croatia's goalkeeper Tomislav Kardum to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Ariton Nikiforov during the 42nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 42nd match minute, U21 Macedonia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ariton Nikiforov to maneuver through the defense. Erkand Boškovski hit a great freekick 46 minutes into the match. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.
The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Tomislav Cvetanoski to strike the kick off in the second half. A collision led to U21 Croatia getting a freekick after 51 minutes play. Maksim Delić hit a great ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tomislav Cvetanoski in the 53rd minute of play forced U21 Croatia's goalkeeper Tomislav Kardum to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. U21 Macedonia's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Branslav Fotev in the 54th minute. After taking down the ball on U21 Macedonia's corner Branslav Fotev fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Tomislav Kardum quite easily take care of the ball. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Marcel Gradiček in the 56th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Veljko Cvetanov prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 58 minutes into the match, Avram Radevski dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Tomislav Kardum, 1-1. Marcel Gradiček charged in rather forcefully in the 60th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Marcel Gradiček the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 60th match minute, U21 Croatia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Marcel Gradiček to maneuver through the defense. U21 Macedonia made a substitution. Dame Naceski replaced Erkand Boškovski. In the 61st minute, Marcel Gradiček hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 63 minutes into the match, U21 Croatia's goalkeeper Tomislav Kardum had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Tomislav Cvetanoski. 69 minutes into the match, Tomislav Cvetanoski dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Tomislav Kardum, 1-2. Stanko Jertec struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Veljko Cvetanov didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Croatia. Tomislav Kardum made a fantastic save in the 80th minute, when Tomislav Cvetanoski sent off a good shot on target. Veljko Cvetanov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Stanko Jertec in the 83rd minute of play. After a rather tough play, U21 Croatia's Đuro Bernardić got a free kick in the 86th minute. 87 minutes into the match, U21 Croatia's goalkeeper Tomislav Kardum had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Dame Naceski. With a little luck, U21 Croatia's Tomislav Kardum got control of the ball when Tomislav Cvetanoski tried to sneak it across the goal line. Veljko Cvetanov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tonko Grković in the 92nd minute of play. Dame Naceski received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Tomislav Kardum came out and tried to block the shot, but Dame Naceski slotted it home off the left post making it 1-3 in the 95th minute.
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