Slovakia leaves it late against Macedonia

By foxsports
Published

Filip Holosko scored in injury time to give Slovakia a 1-0 win over Macedonia in their opening 2012 European Championship qualifying game on Friday.

Holosko beat Macedonia goalkeeper Edin Nuredinovski one minute into added time to secure three points for the host.

It was the Besiktas winger's sixth international goal in 42 appearances for Slovakia.

Six minutes earlier, Macedonia defender Vance Sikov was sent off for picking up a second yellow card for time-wasting.

Slovakia, which reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in June, lacked attacking strength and created few chances as key strikers Robert Vittek and Stanislav Sestak were missing because of injuries.

Slovakia and Macedonia are in Group B with Russia, who beat Andorra 2-0, and Ireland, who defeated Armenia 1-0.

Slovakia next plays Russia in Moscow on Tuesday.

Lineups:

Slovakia: Jan Mucha, Peter Pekarik (Jakub Sylvestr, 90), Martin Skrtel, Vladimir Weiss (Erik Jendrisek, 61), Zdeno Strba, Miroslav Stoch, Marek Sapara, Filip Holosko, Tomas Hubocan, Kornel Salata (Juraj Kucka, 76), Marek Hamsik.

Macedonia: Edin Nuredinovski, Vance Sikov, Goran Popov, Nikolce Noveski, Igor Mitreski, Slavco Georgievski, Ivan Trickovski (Boban Grncarov, 80), Velice Sumulikoski, Goran Pandev, Ilco Naumoski (Stevica Ristic, 61), Filip Despotovski (Aleksandar Lazevski, 73).