The Macedonian A national team was defeated by Azerbaijan with 1:3 in the friendly match played today at the "Todor Proeski" National Arena in Skopje. Our best representation played below expectations, and the opponent took full advantage of the "bad" day of the players led by Blagoja Milevski.

Bardhi took the lead from a penalty, but Azerbaijan played better and deservedly won.

In the beginning, Macedonia was more dangerous. In the 6th minute, Elmas threatened dangerously from the left, but he was unlucky, he was almost inaccurate. A few minutes later another chance, Elmas crossed from a corner, the visiting goalkeeper missed, and Nikolov failed to manage and hit the empty net.

Then came our guidance. Elmas did well in the visiting penalty area, he "made" Isaev foul him, and referee Jorgi Enea had no doubts that it was a penalty.

Bardi was sure of a 1:0 lead for Macedonia.

In the 38th minute, Azerbaijan equalized at 1:1, after Jafarguliev hit the bottom left corner of the powerless Shishkovski as accurately as possible. By the end of the half, both teams had one big chance, especially Nestorovski's was a good one, but his shot with head was imprecise.

In the 52nd minute we were left with one player less. Nikolov received a second yellow, i.e. red, and Macedonia was left with one player less on the wet field of the Arena in Skopje.

All that was used by Azerbaijan, who in the 65th minute scored a goal for 1:2. After the corner kick, Gurbanli managed to shake our net with his head.

Macedonia was in defense, the visitors were attacking, threatening, and we were trying to equalize the result from the counterattack. In the 75th minute, the forces on the field were equalized. Hagverdi received a straight red card because he started unfair against Ethemi.

Milevski brought three new players into the game, Babunski, Dimoski and Bejtulai, and took out Elmas, Ristovski and Ashkovski.

In the 80th minute, Yani Atanasov sent a "bomb" towards the away goal, but it hit the crossbar. In the 83rd minute, Martin Mirchevski entered the game, his debut in the A-representation.

A new obstacle followed, this time by Bardi, and immediately after that, on the opposite side, Shejdaev shot accurately for the final 1:3.

Friendly match:

MACEDONIA – AZERBAIJAN 1:3 (1:1)

National Arena "Todor Proeski" in Skopje. Referee: Jorgi Enea (Albania). Scorers: Bardi (p) 25. (MAK), Jafarguliev 38., Gurbanli 65., Shejdaev 88. (AZE). Z. Cards: Nikolov, Elmas (MAK), Mustafazade, Mahmudov (AZE). Red card: Nikolov 52. (MAK).

MACEDONIA: Shishkovski, Ashkovski (78. Beitulai), Serafimov, Musliu, Ristovski (78. Dor. Babunski), Dav. Babunski (56. Etemi), Bardi, Nikolov, Elmas (78. Dimoski), Nestorovski (55. Atanasov) , Doriev (83. Mirchevski).

Head coach: Blagoja Milevski.

AZERBAIJAN: Magomedaliev, Hagverdi, Mustafazade, Hasanalizade, Jafarguliev (82. Salahdi), Almeida (82. Aliyev), Mahmudov, Kokchu (59. Emreli), Isaev (59. Yamulov), Shejdaev, Gurbanli.

Head coach: Gianni de Biasi.