FC Arda Kardzhali

March 2020



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Lokomotiv Plodiv 1-4 Arda

Karadzhov, Miric (Blagoev), Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Szelpal, Chukalov, Muhar (Matkovic), Lozev, V Hristov (Todorov), P Hristov​

A really great way to finish of the preliminary round of the season. Petar Hristov was wonderful throughout and grabbed himself two goals. Muhar started again and dovetailed well with Chukalov in the centre of the pitch. Norbert Szelpal made his debut and capped off a good game with a goal. Dragan Matkovic came on late for his debut also. A word also for Deyan Lozev, a player who has been on the fringes constantly and has never moaned. He got three assists today and has really stepped up a gear since some of the departures earlier.


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We announce a new intake of youth players. Central midfielder Vasil Andreev looks to be a real talent.


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Arda 1-1 Levski Sofia

Karadzhov, Miric, Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev, Chukalov (Matkovic), Muhar, Kokonov (Szelpal), V Hristov (Todorov), P Hristov​

So unlucky! We were brilliant in this game and took Levski all the way. Karlo Muhar got his first goal for the club with a well timed strike from the edge of the box. We looked good for the win but Levski equalised with fifteen minutes left.


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Cherno More 1-2 Arda

Karadzhov, Miric (Blagoev), Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev, Chukalov, Muhar, Kokonov (Szelpal), V Hristov (Todorov), P Hristov​

A fantastic hard earned win away at Cherno. They're always a tough side to play and today was no different. Despite falling behind early on, Deyan Lozev and Petar Hristov scored two quick goals to send us in at half time ahead. We continued our work after the break and held out for a deserved win.


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Bulgarian Cup Quarter Final

Ludogorets 2-2 Arda (Ludogorets win 5-4 on penalties)

Karadzhov, Blagoev, Chichev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev (Szelpal), Chukalov, Muhar (Matkovic), Kokonov, V Hristov (Todorov), P Hristov​

So, so unlucky. We played Ludogorets off the park again here and were desperately unlucky to be knocked out of the cup. Oscar Lewicki put them ahead against the run of play. Todor Todorov came on and really got us going. First he set up Petar Hristov for the equaliser that ultimately took us to extra time. Then he cancelled out Wanderson's goal with an equaliser two minutes from time. Diego da Silva missed the crucial penalty that sees us exit at the quarter final stage.



Monthly Review

A decent month after the turmoil of February. The squad is starting to settle a bit and we can have reasons to be optimistic going forward. We've got some tough games now as we enter the Championship round of the league. Two good results so far though so we're looking okay.


Player of the Month - Karlo Muhar

We needed someone to come in and steady the ship and Karlo looks to be that man. He's already forming a good partnership with Georgi Chukalov in the centre of midfield and I'm eager to see what he can bring to the team.



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April 2020



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Arda 5-3 Botev Plodiv

Karadzhov, Blagoev, Sandev, Diego, Kielb, Lozev (Szelpal), Kalafat (Matkovic), Muhar, Kokonov, V Hristov, P Hristov (Todorov)​

A first return to the Arena Arda for Ventsislav Bengyuzov and I won't lie, I really wanted to win this one. Where do we start? An astonishing game from start to finish that could have gone either way. We started brightly and took the lead through Ivan Kokonov. We then proceeded to collapse, Botev Plodiv scored three goals in thirteen minutes. The boys did well to drag themselves back level before half time. Deyan Lozev with a typically good goal and Rumen Sandev- punting home a loose ball following a corner. Ventsislav Hristov scored twice in the second half to take all three points.


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CSKA Sofia 3-1 Arda

Karadzhov, Miric, Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Szelpal (Blagoev), Chukalov, Muhar, Kokonov, V Hristov (Todorov), P Hristov (Kalafat)​

Back down to earth with a crash. A disappointing result and performance today. We were well in the game until Atanas Krastev got himself sent off for a stupid tackle from behind. CSKA took full control and won the game with ease.


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Arda 0-1 Ludogorets

Karadzhov, Miric, Sandev, Diego, Bak, Lozev, Kalafat (Matkovic), Muhar, Kokonov (Szelpal), Todorov (V Hristov), P Hristov​

Lucky Ludogorets once again. We had all of the ball and have ended up losing 1-0 to a late Velkov strike. We need to learn from these games and be more clinical in front of goal. Eighteen year old Doni Bak made his first start, coming in for the suspended Krastev.


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Norbert Szelpal picked up an injury against Ludogorets, it's unlikely that we'll see him again this season.


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Levksi Sofia 1-1 Arda

Karadzhov, Miric (Blagoev), Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev, Kalafat, Muhar (Chanev), Kokonov, V Hristov (Todorov), P Hristov​

Todor Todorov the saviour for us today as we grab a well deserved point away to Levski. Valchan Chanev made his return from injury in the second half too.



Monthly Review

A really difficult month. The big games come thick and fast when the season splits, tough game after tough game. It's a proper slog. Four games left of the season and we really want to finish strongly.


Player of the Month - Diego da Silva

A fairly consistent month for Diego who has stood out whilst others have faded. A great season overall for him.



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May 2020



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Arda 1-1 Cherno More

Karadzhov, Miric, Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev, Chukalov (Vasev), Muhar (Chanev), Kokonov, Todorov (V Hristov), P Hristov​

A bit of a kick in the teeth this one. We were leading quite comfortably. Petar Hristov had a good game all round and opened the scoring in the first half. We threw away the three points late on.


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Botev Plodiv 4-2 Arda

Karadzhov, Miric (Blagoev), Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev, Vasev (Chukalov), Muhar (Chanev), Kokonov, Todorov, P Hristov​

These games against Botev Plodiv are always mad. They outplayed us at times so I feel we would have been lucky to hold out for the win, but to lose like we did is disappointing. Lozev and Todorov scored two tremendous goals but Botev Plodiv scored three times in the final minutes to win 4-2.The result means with two games left we will certainly finish fifth.


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Arda 2-2 CSKA Sofia

Karadzhov, Miric (Blagoev), Chichev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev, Chukalov, Vasev (Muhar), Kokonov, Todorov (V Hristov), P Hristov​

A weird game really. The first half was excellent and we were cruising. Once again we dropped our levels and gave away two quick goals after half time. Ventsislav Hristov spared the blushes late on but it's so frustrating. That late goal ended CSKA's title chances, it will go down to the final day with Ludogorets and Levski fighting to be champions. We play the former away.


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Our U19's have had a ridiculous season. 18 wins from 18 games. 85 goals scored and just 2 conceded. They will now play a few play-off games against the other regional winners to see who gains promotion to the Elite Division.


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Ludogorets 0-3 Arda

Karadzhov, Miric, Sandev, Diego, Krastev, Lozev, Chukalov (Vasev), Muhar (Chanev), Kokonov, V Hristov (Todorov), P Hristov​

A brilliant way to end the season. Ludogorets needed to better Levski's result to win the title but they never looked up to it. Levski won their game anyway so it wouldn't have mattered. A first half hattrick for Ventsislav Hristov and they had absolutely no answer to that. Really nice to end on a good result.



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Our U19's complete an incredible year and win promotion to the Elite Division.


Monthly Review

Honestly, I was just trying to get through this month relatively unscathed. It's been a gruelling end to the season, something we'll have to get used to if we want to continue mixing with the biggest teams in the country. Lovely to end with a win away at Ludogorets.


Player of the Month - Ventsislav Hristov

A superb hattrick in our final game of the season.



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2019/2020 Season Review



Overall we can look back with a lot of pride. Our first season in the First Division and we finish in fifth place. It felt utterly gruelling at times and the Top 6 split really is difficult. Ten extremely hard games to finish off the season is a test of this squad. The discontent in February/March time was troublesome but I feel we came through okay. The personality of the squad felt distinctively different at the end of the season with so many experienced players either departing or injured.


Goalkeepers

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Ivan Karadzhov is of course our number one and played the majority of matches. We conceded a lot of goals this season but I don't put the blame squarely at his feet. It's an area I think we can improve on but I'm pretty sure he'll still be number one next season.


Defence

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Another solid season for our first choice centre back partnership of Rumen Sandev and Diego da Silva. Georgi Chichev got a few games here and there and Atanas Tasholov continued his development well out on loan. Mario Blagoev and Georgi Kostov failed to impress so Nikola Miric was brought in during the mid season break. Atanas Krastev continued to impress at left back and it was nice to bring young Doni Bak through for some game time. Jakub Kielb wasn't great and will likely be sold or sent out on loan next season.


Midfield

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Georgi Chukalov had another fine season, although his disciplinary record is a worry. Following the departure of Bengyuzov, Karlo Muhar came in and played very well. It was an injury hit season for Daniel Vasev and Valchan Chanev, the latter will likely leave as his contract is up. Deyan Lozev was superb all season and really picked it up when Marchev left. Ivan Kokonov was his usual consistent self.


Attack

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Petar Hristov really came of age this season. His all round play is brilliant and he pops up with crucial goals. Ventsislav Hristov didn't quite score as many as last season but when he's on his game he's unstoppable. A slow decline may be beginning due to his age. Todor Todorov was fighting it out for a starting place and can expect to play a lot next year. Andrian Kraev needs game time and is likely to leave on loan.



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Hard to argue with any of this. Diego da Silva has been superb and I'm praying that we can keep hold of him. Still only 19 years old!

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