Ludogorets defeated Lokomotiv (Plovdiv)

Ludogorets defeated 2:1 the Bulgarian Cup winner Lokomotiv (Plovdiv), thus eliminating the team from the competition. Lokomotiv lost a match for the Bulgarian Cup for the first time in 3,5 years. The match was dramatic and Tchibota became the hero after scoring the winning goal in the 114^th minute.

Dambrauskas used the 3-4-3 layout which was different compared to the two previous marches. Kahlina made his official debut. Lokomotiv’s coach – Tunchev chose the same player layout.

Sotiriou passed the ball to Wanderson who redirected it to Santana in the 5^th minute. The Brazilian sent the ball to Manu. Tekpetey did the same and Manu’s goal attempt was canceled by Pirgov. Manu tried to score again in the 20^th minute but Pirgov intervened again.

Lokomotiv created their best situation in the 37^th minute. Salinas passed the ball to Almeida but he sent it outside Kahlina’s gate. Minchev wasted a good situation seconds later. Manu kicked the ball from the foul point in the 44^th minute but it went over the crossbar.

Tekpetey, Manu, and Sotiriou created a situation in the second half but Malembana kicked the ball out. Tekpetey stole it again and passed it to Sotiriou who scored his first goal as part of Ludogorets. Karageren immediately responded by sending the ball to Rowan and Minchev. The Englishman tried to score but sent the ball straight to Kahlina. Tsvetanov kicked the ball after a corner shot but Kahlina saved again. Dimitar Iliev – the #1 player in Bulgaria, entered the pitch twenty minutes before the end.

Lokomotiv was close to making the score even in the 87^th minute when Minchev passed to Tsvetanov whose goal attempt was canceled by Kahlina. Hurtado passed the ball to Almeida in the 93^rd minute who forwarded the ball to Minchev and the player evened the score. This meant the match needed to be prolonged. Kahlina saved Almeida’s goal attempt four minutes later. Keseru allowed a huge miss in the 104^th minute.

Tchibota scored the winning goal in the 114^th minute after he outplayed Vitanov, Almeida, and Umarbaev.

LUDOGORETS – LOKOMOTIV (PLOVDIV) 2:1

1:0 Sotiriou (47‘)
1:1 Minchev (93‘)
2:1 Tchibota (114‘)

LUDOGORETS: Kahlina, Terziev, Santana, Manu (66 – Oliveira), Sotiriou (96 – Keseru), Grigore, Ikoko, Verdon, Badji (88 – Anicet), Tekpetey (118 – Sa), Wanderson (46 – Tchibota)

LOKOMOTIV (PLOVDIV) Pirgov, Alemida, Malembana, Gomis, Rowan (107 – Umarbaev), Nikolaev (69 – Iliev), Vitanov, Salinas (79 – Guertas), Tsvetanov, Karageren (88 – Ilic), Minchev

Yellow cards: Grigore, Tchibota (Ludogorets), Nikolaev, Ilic (Lokomotiv

Red cards: Ikoko (Ludogorets); Hurtado (Lokomotiv)