Shkendija Tetovo Cruise to 3-0 Friendly Win Over Kamjani

Shkendija Tetovo produced a dominant performance to defeat Kamjani 3-0 in an international club friendly, with the North Macedonian giants showcasing their quality in a comfortable victory. The match served as a useful workout for both sides, but it was Shkendija’s sharpness in front of goal that stood out.

International club friendlies offer teams a chance to experiment with formations and give minutes to squad players, and this encounter was no exception. Shkendija, one of the most successful clubs in North Macedonia, fielded a strong starting eleven and quickly took control of the game.

Match Overview

The pattern of the match was established early. Shkendija pressed high, moved the ball quickly, and created chances at will. Kamjani, who compete in the lower tiers of Kosovan football, struggled to keep possession and were forced into a defensive shell for much of the first half.

The opening goal arrived in the 21st minute. Besart Ibraimi, Shkendija’s veteran striker and all-time leading scorer, latched onto a defence-splitting pass and finished with trademark composure. It was a goal that highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.

Shkendija doubled their lead ten minutes before half-time. Arbin Zejnullai, the creative midfielder, curled a shot into the bottom corner after a neat exchange on the edge of the box. Kamjani’s goalkeeper had no chance. The third goal came in the second half, with a trialist forward tapping in from close range after a low cross from the right.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• 21st minute: Besart Ibraimi opens the scoring with a clinical finish.
• 35th minute: Arbin Zejnullai makes it 2-0 with a precise curling effort.
• 67th minute: A Shkendija trialist adds a third goal from close range.
• 78th minute: Kamjani’s best chance is cleared off the line by a Shkendija defender.

Kamjani did have their moments, particularly in the second half when Shkendija made several substitutions. They forced a couple of corners and tested the backup goalkeeper, but they never truly threatened to get back into the game. Shkendija’s defence remained organised and rarely looked troubled.

Tactical Story

Shkendija lined up in a 4-3-3, with Ibraimi leading the line and Zejnullai pulling the strings in midfield. Their full-backs pushed high, creating width and allowing the wingers to drift inside. Kamjani set up in a 5-4-1, looking to frustrate their opponents and hit on the break. However, they struggled to get enough bodies forward when they won possession.

The key difference was in transition. Shkendija won the ball back quickly and attacked with purpose, while Kamjani were too slow to turn defence into attack. Shkendija’s midfield trio dominated the centre of the pitch, and their movement off the ball created constant problems for Kamjani’s back five.

Standout Players

Besart Ibraimi (Shkendija): The experienced striker showed his class with a well-taken goal and intelligent link-up play. He was a constant thorn in Kamjani’s side.

Arbin Zejnullai (Shkendija): Dictated the tempo and scored a beautiful goal. His passing range and vision were on full display.

Kamjani’s goalkeeper: Despite conceding three, he made several good saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

What It Means and What’s Next

For Shkendija Tetovo, this friendly was a perfect opportunity to build match fitness and confidence ahead of their domestic and European commitments. The club has a rich history in North Macedonian football, with multiple league titles and cup triumphs, and they will be hoping to challenge for silverware again this season.

Kamjani, meanwhile, will take valuable lessons from the game. Facing such high-quality opposition will help their players develop, and they can focus on the positives from their second-half display. Both teams will now return to their respective league campaigns, with Shkendija eager to maintain their winning habit and Kamjani looking to improve.