Botev Plovdiv achieved a wonderful 2:0 victory over Arda in the away match. The match from the 31st round of the First League was played at “Arena Arda” in Kardzhali.
Lachezar Baltanov and his boys were like hosts, having received constant support throughout the entire 90 minutes from the packed away section.
The match started evenly, with no clear chances in front of either goal. The two teams were locked in a battle for every meter of the pitch.
In the 35th minute, Todor Nedelev blew the visiting side away with a stunning goal from a free kick. The Canaries’ number eight checked Gospodinov with a wonderful shot from long range.
In the 39th minute, Kalu’s dangerous shot was saved by the goalkeeper, and seconds later Lucas Araujo did the same.
In the 42nd minute, Daniel Naumov made a magnificent save, blocking a shot by Luan, and in added time, Kovachev shot over the goal.
The second half started with Botev pressing and in the 52nd minute the “Canaries” celebrated for the second time. Konstantinos Baloyannis impressed with a breakthrough on the wing and crossed to Chimezi, who intercepted the ball, and Martin Paskalev sent it into his own goal – 2:0.
In the following minutes, the spotlight was on national goalkeeper Daniel Naumov, who made a series of wonderful saves. In the 67th minute, Atanas Kabov shot very dangerously, but the goalkeeper cleared it.
5 minutes later, Naumov was again the last obstacle to the goal after a shot by Wilson Samake. At the very end of the match, Botev was close to a third goal, but Zakaria and Algara were unable to overcome the home team’s goalkeeper.
BOTEV PLOVDIV: 29. Daniel Naumov, 22. Enock Kwateng, 4. Nikola Soldo, 87. Simeon Petrov, 38. Konstantinos Baloyannis, 14. Carlos Algarra, 77. Lucas Araujo, 11. Pedro Igor, 8. Todor Nedelev, 7. Nikola Iliev, 90. Samuel Kalu
Subs: 1. Hristian Slavkov, 13. Samuil Tsonov, 27. Bryan Hein, 28. Enrique Joku, 30. Franklin Mascotte, 41. Zakaria Tindano, 42. Ivaylo Videv, 44. Carlos Meoti, 88. Chimezi Williams
