League

Sukhostrel Stadion
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) CSKA Sukhostrel's Petko Tzutzev 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. Kuzman Geranov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Stoyne Seymenski in the 6th minute of the match. Kuzman Geranov didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Nedelcho Batalov went, in the 9th minute, to the upper right corner, 0-1 was the resulting score. When Botev's Pavlin Abanozov in the 19th minute got a chance for a shot 19th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye CSKA Sukhostrel's goalie prevented a goal. In the 22nd minute, Nedelcho Batalov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, Botev's Nedelcho Batalov got a free kick in the 24th minute. In a very dangerous position, a player in Botev fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 26th minute. Penalty! The goalkeeper, Zahir Älişov, was totally fooled by CSKA Sukhostrel's Kiril Marazov, who 28 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. After some careless play in the CSKA Sukhostrel defense, Pavlin Abanozov kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Kuzman Geranov. The CSKA Sukhostrel fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Kuzman Geranov should have stopped the shot. When Nedelcho Batalov came up free with the goalie in the 39th minute, the Botev fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Nedelcho Batalov couldn't finish the play. 41 minutes into the match, CSKA Sukhostrel's goal looked a bit too open when Tzonko Dormishev came free, but Kuzman Geranov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Dinko Popstefanov kicked well hit freekick during the 43rd minute of the match. Stoyne Seymenski took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 44th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Kuzman Geranov. CSKA Sukhostrel's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. When Botev's Pavlin Abanozov in the 47th minute got a chance for a shot 47th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye CSKA Sukhostrel's goalie prevented a goal. After the first half Botev were leading 1-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Pavlin Abanozov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 51st minute. Kuzman Geranov tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Tzonko Dormishev received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Kuzman Geranov came out and tried to block the shot, but Tzonko Dormishev slotted it home off the left post making it 1-4 in the 56th minute. CSKA Sukhostrel's Kuzman Geranov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Pavlin Abanozov in the 60th minute of play. CSKA Sukhostrel's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Pavlin Abanozov 62 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 1-5. Kuzman Geranov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Pavlin Abanozov in the 66th minute of the match. The audience was convinced that Pavlin Abanozov's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Kuzman Geranov was relentless in the 68th minute of the game. 70 minutes into the match, Botev's Pavlin Abanozov sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Kuzman Geranov narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nedelcho Batalov in the 72nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Kuzman Geranov prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Kuzman Geranov was out of position in the 73 minute of play, and Pavlin Abanozov capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Pavlin Abanozov really showed his touch with that goal: 1-6. An unexpectedly hard shot by Pavlin Abanozov in the 76th minute of play forced CSKA Sukhostrel's goalkeeper Kuzman Geranov to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 81st minute, Pavlin Abanozov got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The audience was convinced that Pavlin Abanozov's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Kuzman Geranov was relentless in the 83rd minute of the game. The supporters of Botev booed when CSKA Sukhostrel was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 85 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alek Shirov didn't get a good kick on the ball. 86 minutes into the match, Botev's Stoyne Seymenski broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. When Botev's Pavlin Abanozov in the 89th minute got a chance for a shot 89th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye CSKA Sukhostrel's goalie prevented a goal. A hard shot 90 in the game by Nedelcho Batalov from a close distance when the talented Kuzman Geranov managed to make a qualified save. CSKA Sukhostrel's players were relieved. In the 91st minute Pavlin Abanozov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Kuzman Geranov saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Kuzman Geranov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pavlin Abanozov, who was totally free with the ball in the 92nd minute. Pavlin Abanozov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 95th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Botev's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.