Soccer-Former defender Janevski takes over as Macedonia coach

Former international defender Cedomir

Janevski has taken over as Macedonia coach after John Toshack

quit last week, the Balkan country's football association (FFM)

said on Wednesday.

 The 51-year old Janevski, who coached former European Cup

winners Red Star Belgrade and Belgian side Club Brugge, said he

planned to make changes to the squad for the 2014 World Cup

qualifiers.

 Macedonia, who have never qualified as an independent

nation, start their campaign with visits to fellow former

Yugoslavs Croatia on Sept. 7 and Scotland four days later.

 "I will add two or three new players to the squad for the

first two qualifiers against the Croatians and the Scots because

we need to inject some fresh blood," Janevski told a news

conference.

 "We are pressed for time and playing the first two games

away against strong opponents is also not helpful because it is

essential to make a good start in this tough group.

 "Either way, we have to go for a win in every match and

maybe the fact that I have coached clubs in Belgium and Serbia

will make the scouting of these two teams somewhat easier."

 Toshack's native Wales are also in Group A. The winners of

Europe's nine groups will qualify automatically for the World

Cup in Brazil while the eight best runners-up will enter

two-legged playoffs for another four berths.