Litex look for final fling
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Article summary
PFC CSKA Sofia will meet PFC Litex Lovech in the Bulgarian Cup final, a repeat of the sides' 1999 meeting.
Article body
Resounding win
Reigning champions CSKA Sofia booked their place with a 4-0 home win against PFC Lokomotiv Sofia in the second leg of their semi-final, completing a 5-0 overall success. Stoiko Sakaliev and Todor Yanchev put the tie beyond doubt with goals in the first 12 minutes, before Hristo Yanev and Kosdadin Hazurov wrapped up the win in the second period.
Decisive draw
The other semi-final was a tighter affair, with Litex edging out Premier League leaders PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 away draw in the second leg. Nigerian striker Ekundayo Jayeoba put the home side in front in the 30th minute to level the aggregate score, but Zoran Janokovic's second-half penalty booked Litex's final berth.
Tough challenge
"The main thing is that we are in the final," said Litex coach Lupko Petrovic. "It will be a very tough game." CSKA Sofia coach Ferario Spasov was in charge of Litex for the 1999 final, which was won for his current club by Valentin Stanchev's 81st-minute strike.