Powerful second-half display for the Macedonians to stay perfect

North Macedonia won against Uzbekistan with 39-30 in the second round of Gropu B at the IHF’s World Championship in Skopje. The host nation moves into the main round and in the last round of the group stage, they will meet with Iran for first place in Group B.

Uzbekistan started the game in a furious fashion and took the lead early with 1-6 after just six minutes. Macedonians made a lot of mistakes in offense and the opponent knew how to punish at the other end of the court. The biggest lead of Uzbekistan was six goals difference or 2-8.

The host nation started to get into the game and after 20 minutes it was 13-13. By the end of the first half, the Macedonians took the lead for the first time in the 29 minute. At the break, the result was 20-19 for the home team.

The second half started with 5-1 run from the Macedonians and they never looked back. After 45 minutes it was 30-23 and that was the biggest lead until then mostly because of the individual quality of Bojana Koceva.

Macedonians reached double digits lead 36-26, seven minutes before the final whistle. It was just a routine display until the end of the game for the girls in red.

Emilijana Rizoska was the Player of the game. Bojana Koceva was most efficient with nine goals, Rizoska scored 8, Marija Jankulovska had 6 goals. Sevinch Erkabaeva and Sarbinaz Saparbaeva scored 10 goals each for Uzbekistan.

Ljubomir Savevski (North Macedonia head coach) – „My girls were not focused on this game and we didn’t play anything In the first half. We had some individual qualities and we started to play good defense in the second half. I hope this performance from my team wont happens again. Iran is our next opponent and we will rest and get ready for this game“.