Bete heroics deny Macedonians
Saturday, 4 June 2005
By Khachik Chakhoyan
Edel Bete kept another clean sheet for Armenia
F.Y.R. Macedonia missed the chance to keep the pressure on the top
three in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 1 as
they were held in Armenia.
Penalty save
The home side dominated the match early on, but could not create any
clear-cut chances. F.Y.R. Macedonia, however, concentrated on rapid
counterattacks and threatened the Armenian goal on several occasions.
Captain Darko Tasevski missed their best chance as he struck a penalty
straight at 18-year-old Armenia goalkeeper Edel Bete, and Blaze
Ilijoski, Nikola Gligorov and Aleksandar Stojanovski all went close.
Bete impresses
But Bete, who had also kept a clean sheet last time out in a goalless
game against the Netherlands, held firm, and in the closing stages
denied Zlatko Tanevski, Danio Masev and Ilijoski, the latter also
hitting the post eight minute from time.
Midweek matches
Today’s visitors are now three points behind second place but can move
level with the Czech Republic should they win there on Tuesday. The
following day Armenia, in fifth, visit current leaders Romania.