Soccer:Inter Milan striker Goran Pandev will return to play for Macedonia against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin next week after missing their last two Euro 2012 qualifiers. Pandev was named by coach Mirsad Jonuz in a 20-man squad for the game at the Aviva Stadium.
Pandev, who scored a superb winner for Inter Milan to send the Champions League holders into the last eight on away goals against Bayern Munich last night, threatened to quit international football last October.
The 27-year-old told reporters he was fed up with fans jeering him and his team-mates after Macedonia's 2-2 home draw with Armenia. Pandev has since missed the 2-0 win away to Andorra and a 1-0 home defeat by group leaders Russia but Jonuz said Macedonia's prolific hitman has had a change of heart.
"I think his future appearances for Macedonia were never really in doubt because it was an emotional reaction which I fully understand," Jonuz said. "All he really wanted was support for himself and the team and I fully back him in that request because I am behind the players, who deserve more credit and patience from the fans.
"There is no doubt Pandev will play for Macedonia for a long time to come, he is the pack leader and a fantastic player. He missed the last two games because he wasn't fully fit and we didn't want to take any chances."
Macedonia, who have never qualified for a major tournament since they gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, are fifth in the group with four points from as many games, five less than pacesetters Russia.
Ireland, Armenia and Slovakia are tied on seven points from four games and Jonuz acknowledged the Macedonians needed a win in Dublin to stay in the hunt for a berth at next year's finals in Poland and Ukraine.
"This is a very balanced group with lots of surprising results behind us and probably more on the cards, so it is absolutely vital for us to get a result against the Irish in Dublin," he said.
"We are a good team lacking a little more confidence and I will tell the players to go out there purposefully, to take the game to Ireland and play attacking football."
Macedonia squad
Goalkeepers:Edin Nuredinoski (Ethnikos Achna), Martin Bogatinov (Karpaty Lviv), Kristijan Naumovski (Dinamo Bucaresti)
Defenders:Nikolče Noveski (Mainz 05), Igor Mitreski (Neftchi Baku), Goran Popov (Dynamo Kyiv), Vanče Šikov (Ethnikos Achna), Boban Grnčarov (APOEL), Aleksandar Lazevski (Partizan Belgrade)
Midfielders:Veliče Šumulikoski (Sibir Novosibirsk), Darko Tasevski (Levski Sofia), Muhamed Demiri (Thun), Mario Gjurovski (Metalurg Donetsk), Filip Despotovski (Inter Baku), Slavčo Georgievski (Neftchi Baku), Armend Alimi (Istra 1961)
Forwards:Goran Pandev (Inter Milan), Ivan Tričkovski (APOEL), Ilčo Naumoski (Mattersburg), Stevica Ristić (Amkar Perm)
