Botev secured a fantastic 2:0 victory over Lokomotiv in the Plovdiv derby from the ninth round of the First League. The match was played at Hristo Botev Stadium.
The victory did not come easily, with more than 10,000 fans in the stands playing a huge part in the success as they supported the Canaries from the first until the last minute.
The match started brilliantly for the Yellow and Blacks. In the ninth minute, Samuel Kalu’s free-kick was parried by Milosavljevic, but straight into the path of Carlos Meoti. The winger delivered an excellent cross towards Assen Chandarov, and Botev’s number 10 headed the ball into the net, sending the stands into celebration.
In the 18th minute, Nikola Soldo made a poor clearance and the ball headed towards his own goal, but Daniel Naumov was alert and managed to clear it. In the 27th minute, Samuil Tsonov’s dangerous effort was saved by the Black and Whites’ goalkeeper.
The first half reached its final minute when a brilliantly executed set-piece led to Botev’s second goal. Samuel Kalu played a perfectly weighted pass to Mauro Rodrigues, who sent the ball past Milosavljevic to make it 2:0.
The second half began with a big chance for the visitors, who hit the crossbar following Leighton’s effort, with Naumov also managing to alter the trajectory of the ball.
In the 61st minute, Lokomotiv were awarded a penalty, which was correctly overturned following a VAR intervention. In the 85th minute, Burban unleashed a shot that was saved by Naumov.
Shortly afterwards, Lokomotiv defender Aleksandar Aleksandrov suffered a serious injury. Everyone at Botev Plovdiv wishes the young footballer a quick and successful recovery.
In the final minute of regular time, the Canaries’ defence lost track of Fase, who was left completely unmarked but headed the ball wide.
BOTEV PLOVDIV: 29. Daniel Naumov, 82. Vladimir Mendes, 4. Nikola Soldo, 87. Simeon Petrov, 27. Brian-Antoine Hein, 77. Lucas Araújo, 10. Assen Chandarov, 66. Carlos Meoti, 19. Mauro Rodrigues, 90. Samuel Kalu, 13. Samuil Tsonov
Substitutes: 1. Hristiyan Slavkov, 7. Alberto Salido, 14. Carlos Algara, 15. Bogdan Kostov, 16. Veliyan Vidolov, 17. Georgi Milanov, 22. Timothy Awany, 22. Marvin Senger, 28. Enrique Joku, 30. Franklin Mascote, 88. Chimezie Williams
