Latest news with #Skopje
CNA
3 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Belgium coach shows faith in shaky defence
SKOPJE :Belgium's defence came in for criticism after giving away a late equaliser to North Macedonia in their World Cup qualifier on Friday but coach Rudi Garcia said he had to show faith in them ahead of their next clash against Wales on Monday. Belgian media and commentators said the team were fortunate to come away with a point from their opening Group J fixture, even though they led for most of the game in Skopje. Hosts North Macedonia twice struck the woodwork and had a strike ruled out by VAR before grabbing an 86th-minute goal to draw 1-1. Garcia, in only his third match in charge, said he wanted to show trust in his defenders for the clash against Wales in Brussels. 'It's a matter of trust. Our defenders need that. I don't want to point fingers at them because we also have to be able to bring more offensively. We have the qualities for that,' he told reporters. Garcia said he did not feel he needed to adjust his defence, which in March conceded three goals to Ukraine in the Nations League promotion-relegation playoff. 'That's not necessary. Like I said it's a matter of trust for our defence. You can't solve that by adjusting the system.' Belgium are heavily fancied to take the automatic qualification berth for the group winners but Wales have taken the early lead in the group with seven points from their opening three matches. Garcia said there were several reasons for Belgium's mediocre showing in Skopje. 'The heat was one of them. But when you're 1-0 up, you can't give it up. It didn't go well. We made the wrong decision far too often with the last pass.' There were also questions about Garcia's changes, after he took out captain Thomas Meunier and talisman Kevin De Bruyne early in the second half. 'It's also a physical issue. And there's also quality on the bench. I substituted Meunier because he already had a yellow card and I need him on Monday against Wales because I only have one right back. 'As for De Bruyne, I also thought about Monday's match. Playing 90 minutes twice in three days is a lot at this stage of the competition. Incidentally, I thought that we regained control after the substitutions due to our physical superiority,' Garcia added.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Belgium coach shows faith in shaky defence
SKOPJE, June 7 (Reuters) - Belgium's defence came in for criticism after giving away a late equaliser to North Macedonia in their World Cup qualifier on Friday but coach Rudi Garcia said he had to show faith in them ahead of their next clash against Wales on Monday. Belgian media and commentators said the team were fortunate to come away with a point from their opening Group J fixture, even though they led for most of the game in Skopje. Hosts North Macedonia twice struck the woodwork and had a strike ruled out by VAR before grabbing an 86th-minute goal to draw 1-1. Garcia, in only his third match in charge, said he wanted to show trust in his defenders for the clash against Wales in Brussels. 'It's a matter of trust. Our defenders need that. I don't want to point fingers at them because we also have to be able to bring more offensively. We have the qualities for that,' he told reporters. Garcia said he did not feel he needed to adjust his defence, which in March conceded three goals to Ukraine in the Nations League promotion-relegation playoff. 'That's not necessary. Like I said it's a matter of trust for our defence. You can't solve that by adjusting the system.' Belgium are heavily fancied to take the automatic qualification berth for the group winners but Wales have taken the early lead in the group with seven points from their opening three matches. Garcia said there were several reasons for Belgium's mediocre showing in Skopje. 'The heat was one of them. But when you're 1-0 up, you can't give it up. It didn't go well. We made the wrong decision far too often with the last pass.' There were also questions about Garcia's changes, after he took out captain Thomas Meunier and talisman Kevin De Bruyne early in the second half. 'It's also a physical issue. And there's also quality on the bench. I substituted Meunier because he already had a yellow card and I need him on Monday against Wales because I only have one right back. 'As for De Bruyne, I also thought about Monday's match. Playing 90 minutes twice in three days is a lot at this stage of the competition. Incidentally, I thought that we regained control after the substitutions due to our physical superiority,' Garcia added.
CNA
4 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Late equaliser sees North Macedonia hold Belgium to draw
SKOPJE :North Macedonia equalised four minutes from time to hold Belgium to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifying tie on Friday and keep up their unbeaten start to their Group J campaign. Ezgjan Alioski scored a superb goal as he latched onto a cross from Darko Churlinov that floated over his head before he met it with perfect precision to volley home. Maxim De Cupyer's first half goal had Belgium in the lead as they played their first game of the campaign for places at the 2026 finals in North America. North Macedonia have five points, with one win and two draws from their opening three games, while Wales took over the lead in the standings after they beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at home on Friday to move to seven points. De Cupyer bundled the ball into the net in the 28th minute after Romelu Lukaku's initial effort had been blocked by the heels of a defender. North Macedonia had a chance one minute earlier to open the scoring as Eljif Elmas turned into space in the penalty area and struck the ball against the far post. The rebound fell for Alioski with an open goal in front of him, but he hit the other post in a major missed opportunity. Elmas had the ball in the Belgian net two minutes into the second half but his shot took a slight deflection off teammate Bojan Ilievski, who was in an offside position and VAR chalked off the potential. But the home side finally got rewards for their efforts with Alioski's goal keeping alive their hopes. The group winners qualify for next year's finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States and the runners-up advances to the playoffs.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Late equaliser sees North Macedonia hold Belgium to draw
SKOPJE, June 6 (Reuters) - North Macedonia equalised four minutes from time to hold Belgium to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifying tie on Friday and keep up their unbeaten start to their Group J campaign. Ezgjan Alioski scored a superb goal as he latched onto a cross from Darko Churlinov that floated over his head before he met it with perfect precision to volley home. Maxim De Cupyer's first half goal had Belgium in the lead as they played their first game of the campaign for places at the 2026 finals in North America. North Macedonia have five points, with one win and two draws from their opening three games, while Wales took over the lead in the standings after they beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at home on Friday to move to seven points. De Cupyer bundled the ball into the net in the 28th minute after Romelu Lukaku's initial effort had been blocked by the heels of a defender. North Macedonia had a chance one minute earlier to open the scoring as Eljif Elmas turned into space in the penalty area and struck the ball against the far post. The rebound fell for Alioski with an open goal in front of him, but he hit the other post in a major missed opportunity. Elmas had the ball in the Belgian net two minutes into the second half but his shot took a slight deflection off teammate Bojan Ilievski, who was in an offside position and VAR chalked off the potential. But the home side finally got rewards for their efforts with Alioski's goal keeping alive their hopes. The group winners qualify for next year's finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States and the runners-up advances to the playoffs.
Washington Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
North Macedonia announces plan to take tariffs on US goods to zero in hopes of reciprocation
SKOPJE, North Macedonia — North Macedonia announced plans Monday to abolish all import taxes on the United States in the hope of reaching a reciprocal zero-tariff deal with the Trump administration. The plan still requires parliamentary approval and was put forward after the Balkan country was hit with a 33% tariff from the United States — considerably higher than the 20% imposed on the European Union. 'By unilaterally reducing customs rates, we are sending a message to accelerate the process of reciprocity in a mutual trade exchange,' Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska told reporters. The trade volume between the two countries was just $314 million last year while U.S. imports totaled $196 million, according to government figures. Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said he discussed the possibility of a free-trade agreement with the U.S. at a meeting in Washington last week with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. North Macedonia's plan is part of a wider effort to try and stimulate its economy and would include other tariff reductions.
