Arda achieved a 2:1 victory after a reversal over visiting Botev (SW) in a match of the 33rd round of the Bulgarian championship. The visitors, who in the middle of next week will play the final for the Bulgarian Cup against the champion Ludogorets, had an advance at halftime, but allowed a turn after the break, reports BTA.
In the 11th minute, Samuel Akere passed for Martin Sekulic, but the goalkeeper Anatoly Gospodinov intervened firmly in the Croatian's shot. Botev Plovdiv took the lead in the 32nd minute when Prince Okezie made a mistake and allowed Ume Emmanuel to take the ball and beat the oncoming keeper Gospodinov – 0:1.
At the start of the second half, Okezie again made a mistake, but Nwachukwu missed the home team's goal. In the 64th minute, Tonislav Yordanov and Boris Tyutyukov, who entered as reserves for Arda, helped Kardjalii to return to the match. Yordanov crossed, and Tyutyukov headed the ball into the goal, guarded by Matvei Igonen – 1:1.
In the 77th minute of the match, Gospodinov intervened decisively after a close shot by Eto'o. Five minutes later, the people of Plovdiv had another chance, but Borislav Tsonev cleared the ball right in front of Dimitar Papazov.
Four minutes before the end of regular time, the team from Kardzhali turned the events in their favor. With a cross from a corner kick, Plamen Krachunov continued the ball, which bounced off Jonas Tam and entered Igonen's net for the final 2:1.
Matches from the 32nd round in the First Football League, top six:
Krumovgrad - Loko (Pd) 4:1
Today:
Ludogorets - CSKA-Sofia (7:30 p.m., Diema Sport)
On Sunday:
Levski - Black Sea (7:30 p.m., Diema Sport)
Matches from round 33 in First Football League, seventh-tenth place
CSKA 1948 - Slavia 0:2 (0:1)
Today:
Arda - Botev (Pd) 2:1
Matches from round 33 in First Football League, relegation group
On Sunday:
Beroe – Pirin (17.00 table, Diema sport)
On Monday:
Ether - Loko (Sf) (5:45 p.m., Diema sport)
Botev Vratsa – Heber (20.15 hours, Diema sport)