It is 12 years since Wales last played in Skopje and their then manager Chris Coleman arrived uncomfortably late after losing his passport. More than a decade on, Craig Bellamy’s side left a much more professional impression, even if took a last-gasp equaliser from the substitute David Brooks to rescue a point that preserves both his manager’s unbeaten record and Welsh hopes of another World Cup qualification.
Given that North Macedonia had won their six previous games without conceding a goal and Wales were unbeaten in seven matches since Bellamy took the managerial helm, something had to give in Skopje.
For the first time since taking charge of his country, Bellamy wore a suit. It was a mark of respect to the 59 people who died in a nightclub fire in the North Macedonian town of Kocani, a tragedy remembered by an impeccably observed minute’s silence before kick-off.
Blagoja Milevski’s decision to switch his North Macedonia team from their customary back four to a back five could be interpreted as a compliment to Bellamy’s side. Vindicating such home caution, Wales enjoyed prolonged periods of fast-paced possession on a slick surface as they dominated an opening half low on clearcut chances.
Once the action began there were moments when the visitors could have done with Bellamy turning back time and joining the attack. But, obdurate as the Macedonian defence proved, that rearguard almost cracked when a fine cross from the increasingly influential Leeds winger Dan James found Sorba Thomas, who could not quite make the most of it.
In an intriguing subplot featuring Elland Road regulars past and present, James frequently tormented by Ezgjan Alioski, North Macedonia’s former Leeds left wing-back. Alioski plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ahli these days but he could conceivably have beaten Karl Darlow – currently the second-choice goalkeeper at Elland Road – had his audaciously ambitious first-half volley been a little better weighted.
With North Macedonia increasingly double marking James, Bellamy’s creative players continued to struggle to turn territorial domination into material advantage as the home goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski found himself rarely stretched to the limit.
The moment when Brennan Johnson’s quick feet and faster brain conjured a fine chance Nathan Broadhead could only send swerving over the crossbar seemed emblematic of Bellamy’s technical area frustration.
Yet if the more pessimistic among the 2,000 Wales fans who had travelled to one of Europe’s most interesting, least generic capitals feared their team could come undone against opponents skilled on the counterattack, such concerns were assuaged by a commanding central defensive performance on the part of Joe Rodon and his sidekick Chris Mepham.
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It was midway through the second half when Darlow was called to arms, showing off sharp reflexes and strong hands to deny the home substitute Darko Churlinov. By now Kieffer Moore had replaced Dan James.
It was Johnson though who came closest to breaking the impasse only to see his goalbound shot cleared off the line by Visar Musliu. Perhaps deciding that attack might be the best form of defence after all, North Macedonia reverted to a back four and were almost rewarded when Alioski shot narrowly wide after Enis Bardhi finally succeeding in confounding Rodon and co.
When Allen lost concentration and permitted Bojan Miovski to intercept a tired pass backwards intended for Rodon Miovski’s fine finish looked to have sealed it. Little did he know that Moore’s headed flick and Brooks’ fine finish would shortly combine to issue a reminder that Bellamy’s Wales do not know the meaning of surrender.