Ludogorets take Bulgarian Super Cup

PFC Ludogorets Razgrad continued their dominance in Bulgarian football after lifting the Super Cup for the second time following a 3-1 win against ten-man PFC Botev Plovdiv in Burgas.

Since gaining their first ever promotion to the top flight in 2011, Ludogorets have now won seven of the possible nine domestic trophies and, just as in 2012, have added the Super Cup to the domestic double. Only PFC Beroe Stara Zagora's victories last year in the Bulgarian Cup and Super Cup have broken the monopoly.

Having scored twice to take Ludogorets through against FK Partizan in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round a week ago, Marcelinho again worked his magic, scoring once and assisting for the other two goals tonight. But Botev, a point ahead of Ludogorets in the league in second, scored first, midfielder Milen Gamakov turning in an 18th-minute set-piece from close range.

However, just before half-time Botev had Alexander Kolev sent off for a second bookable offence and Ludogorets dominated the second period. Substitute Virgil Misidjan levelled in the 53rd minute following Marcelinho's cross from the right.

Marcelinho himself made it 2-1 with five minutes to go with a header following a corner and the Brazilian magician again turned provider in added time. Marcelinho's pass was met by a clinical low shot from Hamza Younès, who had come off the bench having only signed from Botev on Monday.

On Saturday, Ludogrets will meet league leaders PFC CSKA Sofia before making the short trip north of Danube to meet FC Steaua București in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs on Tuesday.