Botev Plovdiv lost 0:1 to Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the quarterfinals of the Bulgarian Cup. The match was played at Lokomotiv Stadium in Plovdiv.
The “Yellow-Blacks” received solid support from the fans, who filled the away sector to the brim. Throughout the entire 90 minutes, the fans supported Dimitar Dimitrov and his boys.
The hosts started the match better and in the 6th minute Daniel Naumov saved a dangerous free kick. Seconds later the “black and whites” opened the scoring, with an obvious offside during the goal, but as expected, the compromised VAR referees Nikola Popov and Valentin Zhelezov did not intervene and the irregular goal was allowed.
In the 14th minute, the “Canaries” were close to equalizing, but the ball was cleared in front of Lokomotiv’s goal line. 3 minutes later, Lamy from a clear position failed to overcome Naumov and the goalkeeper saved.
In the 27th minute, Antoine Conte in turn missed a great chance, after a precise pass from Nedelev. In the 38th minute, a dangerous shot by Nikola Iliev went inches off the post.
At the very end of the first half, Todor Nedelev miraculously did not equalize from a clear position, and in the counterattack, Julien Lamy missed an excellent chance, and in both situations the balls stopped in the posts.
In the 53rd minute, Ivaylo Ivanov fired a powerful shot, but Naumov was careful and saved. 3 minutes later, luck turned its back on the “Canaries” again, after Nikola Iliev’s shot hit the side post.
In the 73rd minute, Todor Nedelev crossed perfectly from a corner kick, Ivaylo Videv was left uncovered at the back post, but the defender missed the goal.
The total bad luck for the “yellow-blacks” appeared deep into the match. Carlos Algarra towered above everyone and the ball was heading towards the goal, but Kindrish cleared it off the goal line.
Botev’s starting lineup: Daniel Naumov, Nikola Iliev, Todor Nedelev, Pedro Igor, Carlos Algarra, Nikolay Minkov, Antoine Conte, Franklin Mascotte, Konstantinos Baloyannis, Ivaylo Videv, Simeon Petrov
Reserves: Hristiyan Slavkov, Nikola Soldo, Aleksa Maras, Emerson Rodriguez, Samuil Tsonov, Bryan Hein, Edson Silva, Lucas Araujo, Samuel Kalou
