Macedonians strengthen case

F.Y.R. Macedonia followed up their impressive goalless draw in England on Saturday by defeating ten-man Andorra.

Strong position
First-half goals by Goran Pandev, Nikolce Noveski and Ilco Naumoski took the visitors to seven points from four UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E games and left them knowing that a home win against Russia on 15 November will put Srečko Katanec's side in a strong position going into 2007.

Pandev strikes
The away team made all the early running and after six minutes Pandev fired in a shot from just inside the penalty area which was well saved by Koldo Álvarez in the Andorra goal. Three minutes later the S.S. Lazio striker again forced the goalkeeper into action, this time his lobbed effort was easily caught. But in the 13th minute it was third time lucky, as a cross by Robert Petrov from the left found Pandev, who slotted home from close range.

Lead increases
Pandev was in the thick of the action three minutes later, this time turning provider as his centre from the right reached Noveski. The big defender made no mistake, powering a header into the right corner of the goal. The nearest Andorra came to responding was a long-distance effort on 23 minutes from defender José Manuel Ayala that failed to test Jane Nikolovski.

Ten men concede
Things got worse for the hosts two minutes later when Toni Sivera was shown a straight red card for a foul on Aleksander Mitreski. His dismissal was followed by a third goal for the visitors as Naumoski shot in from eleven metres. On the stroke of half-time, Justo Ruíz had a rare chance for Andorra but sent a long-range attempt well wide.

Points secure
The second half was an anti-climax, as both sides vied for midfield supremacy with neither goalkeeper being tested until a 78th-minute header by Goran Maznov was tipped round the post by the Andorra keeper. His team's quest for a first competition point continues with the visit of England on 28 March.