Stocklasa saves Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein 1-1 F.Y.R. Macedonia

Dramatic equaliser
The hosts showed great character to come from behind, and scored the most dramatic of equalisers through Michael Stocklasa at the end of an entertaining match.

Hristov opener
Macedonia coach Nikola Ilievski opted not to give a senior debut to Grazer AK striker Ilco Naumoski, and his decision paid off when veteran NEC Nijmengen forward Gjorgi Hristov opened the scoring with a well-taken goal after seven minutes. Macedonia then looked in control for much of the match and appeared to be cruising to a valuable opening-day victory.

Stocklasa the hero
However, with time running out and Liechtenstein desperate to find an equaliser, Stocklasa struck three minutes into added time to earn his country a share of the spoils.

Turkey in charge
On Saturday, fellow Group 7 rivals Turkey eased to a 3-0 home victory over Slovakia in Istanbul, while England played out a 1-1 draw with Portugal in a friendly in Birmingham. Liechtenstein travel to face Turkey in their next qualifier on 16 October and Macedonia meet the same opponents four days earlier.