League

Şükrü Saracoğlu
Spectators: 7495 (Terracing: 5745, Seating: 1610, VIP seats: 140) ФК Звезда's Tzvetoslav Lazhev started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Danail Kolchagov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rumen Engibarov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of ФК Звезда booed when ФК АРДА Рибново was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 9 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rumen Engibarov didn't get a good kick on the ball. Evlogi Tabov kicked well hit freekick during the 10th minute of the match. When ФК АРДА Рибново's Volodya Datzov in the 11th minute got a chance for a shot 11th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye ФК Звезда's goalie prevented a goal. 17 minutes into the game, Dobri Stamboldzhiev was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. ФК Звезда's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave ФК АРДА Рибново the free kick. In the 17th minute, Dobri Stamboldzhiev hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. ФК Звезда's Danail Kolchagov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Volodya Datzov in the 19th minute of play. 43 minutes into the match, ФК АРДА Рибново's goal looked a bit too open when Tzvetoslav Lazhev came free, but Dariusz Miazga reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Danail Kolchagov stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Rumen Engibarov's shot from short distance in the 46th minute. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Rumen Engibarov was the one to do the kick off. Tzvetoslav Lazhev might have been able to make a better finish in the 53rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Dariusz Miazga. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Tzvetoslav Lazhev ran back to his position shaking his head. Nedko Púrlev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dariusz Miazga took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nedko Púrlev, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Zhecho Nizamov fell near the penalty area in the 65th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored ФК АРДА Рибново's protests and gave Zhecho Nizamov a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of ФК Звезда booed when ФК АРДА Рибново was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Zhecho Nizamov didn't get a good kick on the ball. In a very dangerous position, a player in ФК АРДА Рибново fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 66th minute. Penalty! Svetozar Dudev shot the penalty kick right outside the post. Nedko Púrlev struck a weak shot in the 71st minute. Dariusz Miazga didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for ФК Звезда. Dariusz Miazga showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tzvetoslav Lazhev in the 73rd minute of the match. Volodya Datzov in the 80thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Danail Kolchagov, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After a rather tough play, ФК Звезда's Evlogi Tabov got a free kick in the 80th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 84th minute, Rumen Engibarov managed to get in a good position for a shot. ФК АРДА Рибново's supporters rose to their feet, but Rumen Engibarov was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Danail Kolchagov breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The audience thought a goal was coming when Volodya Datzov got free with Danail Kolchagov in the 88th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Rumen Engibarov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 95th minute. Danail Kolchagov tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Evlogi Tabov hit a great freekick 96 minutes into the match. Danail Kolchagov didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 97th minute, which inside left pole to 0-1. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. ФК АРДА Рибново had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.