Ilievski to open Macedonia account
Tuesday, March 5, 2002
Article summary
Nikola Ilievski faces his first test as FYR Macedonia coach in a friendly on 27 March.
Article body
Nikola Ilievski faces his first test as F.Y.R. Macedonia coach in a friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 27 March.
Other friendlies
Macedonia will then host Finland in Skopje on 17 April, before taking on Estonia in Tallinn on 9 May. The Under-21 teams will meet a day earlier.
Previous experience
Ilievski, who took over from Gjore Jovanovski last month, will be able to refer to videotapes of previous matches against all three sides: Macedonia have played Bosnia-Herzegovina twice before, losing 1-0 away and drawing 1-1 at home. They were beaten 3-0 by Finland in a tournament in Bahrain in the winter and have played Estonia once, at home, defeating them 2-0.
Tough challenge
Macedonia will need the experience. They face a tough challenge in the EURO 2004™ qualifying competition, where they are in Group 7 with England, Turkey, Slovakia and Liechtenstein.
