Macedonians held by Lithuania
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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FYR Macedonia 1-1 Lithuania
Both nations are off the mark at the third time of asking in qualifying Group 9 after sharing the spoils in Prilep.
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FYR Macedonia and Lithuania are off the mark at the third time of asking in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 9 after playing out a 1-1 draw in Prilep.
Early goal
The Macedonians pushed England all the way before a conceding a late winner on Friday, and obviously took confidence from that showing as they opened the scoring through Muarem in the first minute. One should have become two but Ilija Nestorovski and Marko Kostencovski both failed to capitalise on decent scoring opportunities.
Testing fixtures
Instead, the next goal fell the way of the visitors as Arvydas Novikovas struck just before the hour. Goalkeepers were dominant in the final third of the match, leaving both nations on a point ahead of testing away fixtures next time out: FYR Macedonia travel to England on 9 October, four days before Lithuania tackle Greece away.