Late leveller brings joy for Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein 1 Macedonia 1

Michael Stocklasa's last-gasp equaliser for Liechtenstein denied Macedonia a winning start to their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign here yesterday.

The NEC Nijmegen striker Georgi Hristov, once of Barnsley, put Macedonia ahead in the eighth minute. His goal looked to have earned the visitors three points in their opening Group Seven match, but the Liechtenstein part-timers refused to give up the chase and they drew level deep into stoppage time.

Stocklasa struck to earn the home side a share of the spoils ahead of their daunting trip to Turkey on 16 October. Macedonia also face the Turks next, at home four days earlier, and then they travel to face England in Southampton on 16 October.

It was Liechtenstein's first point since a 0-0 draw at home to Hungary in a Euro 2000 qualifier in September 1999, and it brought to an end a run of 10 consecutive defeats in competitive fixtures. They were beaten 11-1 the last time they met Macedonia on their home turf, in a World Cup qualifier six years ago.

Goals: Hristov (8) 0-1; Michael Stocklasa (90) 1-1.

Liechtenstein: Jehle; Ritter, Gigon (F Burgmeier, 83), Hasler, Michael Stocklasa, Martin Stocklasa, Telser (D'Elia, 83), Gerster, T Beck, M Frick, Beck (Buchel, h-t).

Macedonia: Milosevski; Braga (Grncarov, 85), Petrov, Sedlovski, Nikolovski, Mitreski, Sumolikoski, Pandev (Stojkov, 70), Hristov (Popov, 58), Sakiri, Mitreski.

Referee: V Godulyan (Ukraine).