Pandev seals Macedonian success
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Article summary
F.Y.R. Macedonia 3-0 Andorra Goran Pandev was in inspired form as the home team assured themselves of finishing no lower than fifth in Group E.
Article body
F.Y.R. Macedonia are assured of finishing no lower than fifth in Group E after cruising to an impressive 3-0 win against bottom side Andorra in Skopje.
Andorra struggle
First-half strikes from Ilco Naumoski and Goce Sedloski put the home team firmly in command and a repeat of the 3-0 scoreline they had suffered in the reverse fixture 12 months ago always appeared likely. Goran Pandev ensured just that before the hour mark and with Andorra unable to create significant openings at the other end, F.Y.R. Macedonia eased to victory.
Strong start
It was a result that seemed on the cards when Srečko Katanec's men started with great purpose. Pandev should have broken the deadlock on ten minutes but shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. This failed to dampen their enthusiasm, however, and they took a deserved lead on the half-hour when Naumoski latched on to Pandev's neat through ball, shrugged off the attentions of two Andorra defenders and rifled in.
Pandev impresses
The home side doubled their advantage a minute before half-time when defender Sedloski capitalised on hesitant Andorra defending, collecting a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and volleying low into the bottom corner. The visitors had scored just twice in their previous nine UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers and a comeback was quite unlikely, but the influential Pandev nevertheless made the points safe in the 59th minute after good work from Naumoski. It left point-less Andorra rooted to the foot of the table, four points behind Estonia, while F.Y.R. Macedonia are on eleven.
