Monday, September 9, 2013

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10.09. (Tue) 20:30 FYR Macedonia - Scotland





Macedonia will have their sights set on third spot in Group A as they seek to end their home qualifying campaign with a win over Scotland.

Cedomir Janevski's men have three games left but Tuesday's visit of the group's bottom side signals their final match on home soil.



The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is already beyond their reach but third-placed Serbia are just one point ahead, having played a game more.



Macedonia are fresh from Friday's 2-1 victory over Wales, their fifth win in six games at their national stadium.

Ivan Trickovski and Aleksandar Trajkovski were on target as Gareth Bale, the world's most expensive player, remained on the bench for the visitors.



The result saw Scotland slip to the foot of Group A, as they were overcome 2-0 by a superior Belgium side at Hampden Park, with Macedonia moving up two places.



And Scotland manager Gordon Strachan admitted that the Belgians were simply too good a proposition for his side.



"That's the best team we've played since I took over," he said. "Belgium were magnificent.



"It was like a heavyweight boxer up against a flyweight. They've got speed, height, strength - and we don't."



Scotland come into this game having only won once during their campaign, and Strachan will be keen to rectify that in order to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.



Macedonia are sure to pose a challenge, though, as they look for their third straight international victory.



The two sides played out a well-contested 1-1 draw when they met at Hampden Park last September, after Kenny Miller cancelled out Nikolce Noveski's early opener.