League Play-Off

Kumanowo Stadion
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Zanko Antimov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Viktor Gerchev in the 5th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Schalke04's Vaklin Kanin got a free kick in the 12th minute. Manol Rachev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 14th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vancho Duparinov having to interfere. In the 20th minute Vanko Kukushev shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Zanko Antimov saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Temelko Manushev in the 21st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Zanko Antimov prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The audience was convinced that Vanko Kukushev's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Zanko Antimov was relentless in the 22nd minute of the game. Zanko Antimov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vanko Kukushev, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Manol Rachev hit a great freekick 29 minutes into the match. Zanko Antimov stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Vanko Kukushev's shot from short distance in the 34th minute. Manol Rachev received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 37th minute. Vancho Duparinov tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Schalke04's Zanko Antimov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Temelko Manushev in the 39th minute of play. Vanko Kukushev's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Zanko Antimov read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 41st minute of play. In the 48thth minute of the game Manol Rachev who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but FC Ruschuk's Vancho Duparinov was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Vanko Kukushev made a kick off. In the 51st match minute, Schalke04 was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Velcho Kibarov to maneuver through the defense. With a little luck, Schalke04's Zanko Antimov got control of the ball when Temelko Manushev tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Vanko Kukushev had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Miroslav Gavalyugov's late challenge caught a FC Ruschuk's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Miroslav Gavalyugov helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of FC Ruschuk booed when Schalke04 was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 56 match minutes in a wonderful position. Miroslav Gavalyugov didn't get a good kick on the ball. Bobi Garvalov's late challenge caught a Schalke04's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Bobi Garvalov helped the player get up and apologised. Zanko Antimov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Temelko Manushev, who was totally free with the ball in the 65th minute. Vanko Kukushev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 66th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Zanko Antimov having to interfere. Manol Rachev blasted a shot towards the goal in the 69th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Vancho Duparinov having to make a save. Elenko Karaenev's late challenge caught a Schalke04's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Elenko Karaenev helped the player get up and apologised. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 71st minute of the game. One of FC Ruschuk:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Schalke04:s goal. The referee gave Schalke04 a penalty, 73 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Vaklin Kanin, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of FC Ruschuk's Vancho Duparinov. 1-0. FC Ruschuk's Raycho Kovandzhiev shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 76th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Zanko Antimov but with some difficulty. FC Ruschuk's Vancho Duparinov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Manol Rachev in the 78th minute of play. Vanko Kukushev struck a weak shot in the 82nd minute. Zanko Antimov didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for FC Ruschuk. Zanko Antimov made a fantastic save in the 84th minute, when Temelko Manushev sent off a good shot on target. In the 86th minute, Raycho Kovandzhiev hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Manol Rachev in the 95th minute of play forced FC Ruschuk's goalkeeper Vancho Duparinov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Zanko Antimov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vanko Kukushev in the 97th minute of the match. Schalke04 were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of FC Ruschuk for a fine match.