With the win over Makedonija GjP, Vardar even mathematically won the 2016/17 championship four rounds before the season end.
Vardar had an easy task as they faced the last-placed team on the table, local rivals Makedonija Gjorche Petrov. All the red&black team needed to do was to win the game, no matter with how many goals and no matter the results from the match involving second-placed Shkendija. Vardar took the lead after only 6 minutes of play when Dejan Blazhevski converted a penalty kick, and untill the break they added two more clinching the title before half-time. The rest of the game was only a formality and ended with Vardar scoring a total of 6 goals. Vardar will be awarded the trophy in the last round.
Shkendija recorded a Pyrrhic victory over Bregalnica as today they officially once again lost the title battle with Vardar. Shkendija now needs to wins next round as well in order to confirm the second position. The Tetovo based team will once again compete in the Europa League qualifications.
A very interesting match was played in Skopje between Shkupi and Pobeda, two teams that are fighting each other to avoid the relegation play-off spot where currently lies Pobeda. Shkupi took the lead early in the 5th minute thanks to the goal by Cameroonian international Emmanuel Mbella, but Geshoski brought hope to the visitors 5 minutes before the break. In the second half, Cvetanoski shocked the home fans by scoring a winning goal. Now the situation is very interesting as Pobeda came close to only 2 points behind Shkupi.
The players of Pobeda celebrate the big win in the locker room; photo: Marjan StojanoskiThe players of Pobeda celebrate the big win in the locker room; photo: Marjan Stojanoski
Pelister welcomed Renova in the duel for the last Europa League spot. Eventually Pelister played a great game and destroyed the opponent. Two goals in the last few minutes before the break decided the winner as the visitors never recovered from that shock. Now the green&white team has 4 points more than Renova plus they play in the Cup final so there is a big chance to see them on the international level.
Rabotnichki travelled to Kratovo where they managed to celebrate against Sileks, another Europa League candidate. Filip Ivanovski decided the winner with a goal in the last moments of the first half. A big help for the visiting team was the expulsion of home striker Igor Nedeljković in the opening moments of the second half. With this win Rabotnichki cemented itself on the third place, while Sileks now needs miracle to reach the last Europa League spot.