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FYR Macedonia 3-0 Canada: Goran Pandev's Brace Makes It Easy Win For The Europeans

Three goals, two missed penalties, two converted penalties and some awful finishing made for a very entertaining 90 minutes.....

Nov 14, 2009 9:00:00 AM

Goran Pandev, Macedonia (PA)
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Goran Pandev, Macedonia (PA)

Goals from Goce Sedloski and Goran Pandev secured Macedonia a comfortable 3-0 victory over Canada in a friendly international on Saturday afternoon.

The first genuine attack of the game came after 10 minutes when Velice Sumulikoski tried his luck from a free-kick but failed to hit the target. Six minutes later Ilco Naumoski attempted a shot from 16 metres out but it was beautifully saved by the Canadian custodian Josh Wagenaar.

Moments later Slavco Georgievski found himself in a good position after being fed by Goran Pandev but his shot didn't land on target. Then in the 22nd minute Naumoski's header off a Vlade Lazarevski ball from the right side forced Wagenaar into making a good save.

Three minutes later Macedonia's Nicolce Noveski struck the frame of the Canada goal with a header from a corner. It was the closest either side had come to scoring until then in the game.

The Canadians were struggling to cope with the attack of their opponents and goalkeeper Wagenaar was forced into making another brilliant save when he parried Filip Despotovski's attempt off for a corner.

Wagenaar was once again called to rescue his team as in the 42nd minute he pulled off a marvelous save off Aco Stojkov's attempt who was initially supplied by Popov.

One minute later Georgievski received the ball just yards outside the goal but he shot wide. It pretty much summed up Macedonia's poor finishing in the first half.

The second half started with substitute Besart Ibraimi trying his luck with a long-ranger but he couldn't keep his shot anywhere on target. Moments later Canada carved out a chance of their own but Macedonian custodian Tome Pacovski was upto the challenge.

But Macedonia finally broke the deadlock as they scored in the 48th minute. Substitute Goce Sedloski turned in the ball with his first touch of the game.

The game then lit up and burst into action as Canada, who were by far the submissive side in the game until then, took the game to the Macedonians and earned two corners in succession.

The North Americans were then awarded a penalty when Despotovski was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Iain Hume stepped up to take the spot-kick but he missed.

Just after the hour mark Macedonia earned a penalty of their own as Dusan Savic was pulled down inside the Canadian box. Pandev stepped up to convert it and made no mistake.

Then in the 70th minute Canada were awarded their second spot-kick of the second half but this time too they failed to score as Pacovski made a brilliant save against Simeon Jackson to keep the scoreline 2-0 in their favour.

It became 3-0 to Macedonia in added time when Pandev converted a penalty earned by Despotovski.

Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com
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