Maleski: Respect for Bashkimi, but Struga TL aiming for victory in Kumanovo

Tomorrow’s fixture in Kumanovo between Bashkimi and Struga Trim Lum will close the ninth round of the current Macedonian First League (PMFL). Struga TL say they used the international break to work hard and arrive in Kumanovo fully focused on taking three points.

Forward Hristijan Maleski set the tone ahead of the match: "We have respect for Bashkimi, despite them being at the bottom of the table. Struga Trim Lum, as always, comes to every match to claim the three points, so on Monday in Kumanovo we hope to secure the next victory in the championship," he said.

On the mood inside the squad, Maleski added: "We have a great atmosphere, we are well prepared for this match, so we hope that tomorrow we will also play a quality game and that in the end we will be the ones enjoying the victory."

National-team debut and form

Maleski spent nearly two weeks with the North Macedonia national team and made his international debut against Slovenia on 29 September, appearing for 29 minutes; he was also in line to play against Scotland in Skopje. Reflecting on that experience, he said: "Every footballer’s dream is to debut in the jersey of his country. Honestly, you cannot even describe the feeling you have in those moments. Unfortunately, things did not go well for us, but I will be ready whenever I am given the chance to represent my country in the best possible way."

At club level Maleski has five goals in the opening eight rounds of the season and believes he can better last season’s return, when he netted 16 goals in 33 matches. "Why not — I believe in myself and I hope that this season I will surpass the number of goals I scored last season. Still, my biggest wish is to help Struga Trim Lum with my goals, and in the end to win trophies," he said. He is also expected to play his 99th league match for Struga TL in tomorrow’s game.

Struga travel to Kumanovo with confidence and a clear objective: pick up three points and keep pressing in the title race as the season reaches its ninth round.

Photo: press material from the event