As silence fell upon the Toše Proeski Arena in Skopje, Kristijan Trapanovski knew North Macedonia were playing for more than just three points.
The visit of Wales on March 25 came just nine days after a nightclub fire in Kocani killed 59 people – including footballer Andrej Lazarov, who represented Trapanovski’s former club FK Shkupi – and saw a further 155 injured.
A week of mourning followed the tragedy, while thousands took to the streets to demand justice and call for a crackdown on alleged institutional corruption.
It was against that backdrop that the Macedonian national team assembled for their World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein in Vaduz before an emotional homecoming to face Craig Bellamy’s side.
“These things motivate you because it felt like the whole country was at the stadium,” recalled Dundee United winger Trapanovski.
“We were playing not only for ourselves, but for the country and all the people who died in that accident.
“It was emotional. It was tough feelings.
“We didn’t laugh in the camp. No jokes; no music. Everyone was thinking about the people after maybe the biggest tragedy that has happened in Macedonia.”
As such, Trapanovski’s feelings are bittersweet.
He made his competitive international debut in the fixture against Liechtenstein and turned in a bright cameo during a comfortable 3-0 win.
Although an unused substitute against Wales three days later, the United flyer is hopeful his impact will see him remain in manager Blagoja Milevski’s thoughts for summer showdowns against Belgium and Kazakhstan.
“I’m thankful that I got the opportunity to play,” he told Courier Sport. “I hope that’s not the last, and that I will continue to be there.
“I think I had a good performance against Liechtenstein, and that I should have played against Wales – but that is the manager’s decision.
“We have now two tough opponents against Belgium home and Kazakhstan away, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Unfinished business in Europe
As his international career blooms, Trapanovski is determined to ensure his club fortunes also soar.
The 25-year-old can sharply recall his previous European exploits with FK Shkupi, most notably when they claimed the league title in 2021/22 before embarking on a galling continental journey the following season.
They narrowly lost out to Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League qualifying before suffering the same fate against Shamrock Rovers in Europea League qualifying.
However, a place in the Europa Conference League group phase was still a possibility. Shkupi just had to find a way past Balkani of Kosovo.
The clarity and irked tone with which he recalls that tie speaks to a man with unfinished business on the continent.
“We were leading 1-0 at home in the first game against Balkani but then, in the blink of an eye, it was 1-2. Crazy.
“Then we go to their place in the second leg – full stadium – and there’s a long ball after TWO minutes and a challenge…and our left-back (Xhelil Abdulla) gets a red card. The game dies straight away. We lost 1-0.
“That is the furthest I have been, although we beat teams from Lithuania (FC Hegelmann), Gibraltar (Lincoln Red Imps) and Kosovo (KF Llapi).
“So, I have some experience playing in European games – they are always very different games from what you get used to playing in the league. But that is a platform you want and a challenge you want.
“Everyone wants to play in a group stage of one of the competitions and I think we have a chance this season to make it there. We will see how it goes these five games, but we have a chance.”
Indeed, United occupy fourth place in the Premiership – ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference – and are just three points behind Hibernian.
He continued: “The motivation stays the same. When you have a chance to fight for more and achieve more, you need to push even harder and not just be satisfied with what we’ve done until now. We have a big chance, and we need to grab it.
“That’s been the mentality in the dressing room the whole season – keep going, keep going.”
Celtic reality
The Tangerines’ first post-split task could barely be more onerous, with Celtic visiting Tannadice Park looking to uncork the champagne. If they avoid defeat, Brendan Rodgers’ side will officially be crowned champions.
Trapanovski added: “What can you say about a match against Celtic? Celtic are the best team in the league, and they will win the league again. You hope for something in those games, but you know the reality and how big the challenge is.
“A team winning the league in your stadium is not a great feeling and we know what we must try to do.”
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