Botev (Plovdiv) defeated CSKA 1:0 in the first semi-final between the two teams for the Bulgarian Cup. Ume Emmanuel scored the only goal in the match at the beginning of the second half, and both teams finished the match with a man less after red cards for Ivelin Popov and Brian Cordoba. The success became historic for the Canaries, for whom this was the first victory over CSKA in Sofia since 1985.
Under the heavy rain at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, the two teams started the match cautiously. The first serious danger was in front of Botev’s goal, as in 15′ Danilo Asprilla’s shot hit the post of Hidayet Hankic’s goal.
For the Canaries, the first shot at the opponent’s goal was the work of Dylan Mertens. In the 28 minute he threatened Gustavo Busato’s goal.
By the break, CSKA managed to create another danger. In 32 minute, an error in the build up of the attack of the “yellow and black” allowed the hosts to steal the ball and finish their attack with another inaccurate shot.
Botev’s moment came just seconds after the start of the second half. Ume Emmanuel was brought behind the back of the CSKA defense and alone against the goalkeeper did not make a mistake. After a few minutes, in which the goal was also checked by VAR for an offside, in the end the goal was counted – 1:0 for Botev.
Winged by the opening of the score, Dusan Kerkez’s boys were close to a second goal in the 59′. However, Mohamed Brahimi failed to hit the ball after an inviting cross into the penalty area by Konstantinos Balogiannis.
In 63′ the passions at the Vasil Levski Stadium peaked. Ivelin Popov was fouled in the center by CSKA’s defender Brian Cordoba, angering Botev’s captain. Both were eventually sent off with straight red cards.
Until the end of the meeting, Botev kept his goal advantage, and deep in the added time, a valuable performance by Hankic kept the result unchanged and sealed the victory of Botev (Plovdiv) with the score 1:0.
From a historical point of view, this was Botev’s first success over CSKA in Sofia for the Bulgarian Cup since the 1958/59 season.
The rematch between the two teams is on May 1 at the “Hristo Botev” stadium in Plovdiv.
STARTING SQUAD: Hidayet Hankic – 17. Nikolay Minkov, 5. Jonas Tamm, 19. Antoine Conte, 38. Konstantinos Balogiannis – 15. James Eto’o, 6. Dylan Martens (79′ – 9. Martin Sekulic), 20. Antonio Perera – 7. Mohamed Brahimi (74′ – 4. Ehije Ukaki) – 31. Umeh Emmanuel (90′ – 18. Dimitar Papazov)
RESERVES: 32. Matvey Igonen, 79. Atanas Chernev, 16. Samuel Akere, 30. Lachezar Baltanov, 28. Yanis Karabelyov, 40. Christian Nwachukwu