Former Leeds United defender Gjanni Alioski is set for one of the biggest games of his career this evening as North Macedonia face Portugal in a World Cup play-off final. Alioski and his international teammates know that they are just 90 minutes away from making history and becoming the first ever North Macedonia team to play at a World Cup.
In fact, it was only at EURO 2020 that they played in their first ever international tournament, but they have created even more history on their route to the play-off final – winning away in Germany in the group stage phase and beating Italy on their own turf in the semi-finals last week. So ahead of his World Cup day of destiny this evening, here is a look at some of Alioski’s best moments in a Leeds shirt.
First goal at Forest
Alioski did not take long to endear himself to the Elland Road faithful, scooping the Championship Goal of the Month award after his first month of competitive football in England. In a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, a crunching tackle from Kalvin Phillips regained possession for Leeds.
Read more: Leeds United fans' Gjanni Alioski delight as North Macedonia knock out Italy
The loose ball was picked up by Alioski, who sent a low drive into the bottom corner from distance, who then went sprinting over to the away end, unveiling his love heart celebration – which became customary for him. That goal also secured him the Goal of the Season award at the end-of-season club ceremony.
Sensational stat in convincing Championship win
The Macedonian delivered one of his best performancess in a Leeds shirt in March 2019, when the Whites ruthlessly dismantled West Bromwich Albion in one of the most iconic Championship displays Elland Road has ever witnessed. Playing at left-back in the 4-0 victory, he won three times as many tackles as any Baggies player in a fantastic display of defensive excellence.
He was also a threat going forward, capping an excellent evening with a goal to add to an already comfortable lead.
Clapping the crowdies
In Leeds’ first game at Elland Road behind closed doors, Alioski sent a message to fans in the only way he knew how. He fired in the Whites’ second goal of the game in a huge promotion clash with Fulham, before sprinting towards the Kop.
Alioski wanted to show supporters they were still there alongside the team as he cupped his ears and blew kisses to all of the crowdies behind the goal. After the game, he also walked round the entire pitch clapping, as if he was thanking a full Elland Road for their support.
Rocket in rout of West Brom
Playing against West Brom often tended to bring the best out of Alioski and the Premier League match at the Hawthorns in December 2020 was no different. Leeds romped to a 5-0 away win over Sam Allardyce's struggling Baggies and Alioski weighed in with arguably the pick of the bunch with thunderous left-footed effort from just inside the box which rendered Sam Johnstone helpless between the sticks.
Assist for Stuart Dallas
Understandably, Stuart Dallas received most of the plaudits after Leeds stunned Manchester City in April after scoring a brace and delivering a stellar display. However, Dallas's winner was made possible by Alioski.
The 30-year-old spotted the run of his teammate before threading him through on goal with a perfectly weighted, outside of the boot pass. It was the type of jaw-dropping excellence more associated with the likes of Pablo Hernandez, but Alioski showed he was capable of magic at a crucial moment in Manchester.
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