Ilya Nestorovski has been immediately removed from the selection of North Macedonia. The striker caused a sensation on Sunday by his way of cheering after his goal against Liechtenstein (5-0) and was sent home with immediate effect by national coach Igor Angelovski. Nestorovski is therefore forced to pass by Wednesday evening’s World Cup qualifying match with Germany.
Nestorovski was allowed to lay against Liechtenstein ten minutes before time from eleven meters on Sunday evening. The striker, who came within the lines for Goran Pandev half an hour before the end and, of all things, got the captain’s armband around his arms, outwitted keeper Benjamin Büchel with a Panenka. The attacker then went to the nearest camera to silence a number of critics by making hand gestures and putting his finger in front of his mouth. After the game, Nestorovski explained his behavior.
“It was intended for three people, who have been threatening and insulting me and my family for three days,” Nestorovski said via Instagram after the game. “They know exactly who I’m talking about. For the people who thought it was for them, I apologize. ” North Macedonia won its first group match against Liechtenstein in the run-up to the World Cup. The first World Cup qualifying match was narrowly lost against Romania (3-2). Germany is currently in the lead in Group J with six points from two games, as is number two Armenia. North Macedonia and Romania follow with three points from two games, while Iceland and Liechtenstein are still winless.
P_a_n_e_n_k_a_ ?? North Macedonia makes mincemeat of Liechtenstein: 5-0 ??#ZiggoSport #WCQ #MKDLIE pic.twitter.com/u8HswCFAKF
– Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 28, 2021
“I am glad that he has apologized and given an explanation for his behavior,” national coach Angelovski said in a response. “But such behavior of an international cannot go unpunished.” North Macedonia, together with Ukraine and Austria, will be the opponent of the Dutch national team during the European Championship next summer. In November last year, the country settled in the all-deciding play-offs with Georgia (1-0) and thus qualified for the final round of an international tournament for the first time in history.
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