Litex Lovech hoist Bulgarian Cup after shootout

SOFIA (Reuters) -- Ten-man Litex Lovech lifted the Bulgarian Cup on Wednesday for the second time after beating CSKA Sofia 4-3 in the first penalty shootout in the tournament's history after the match had finished 2-2 after extra time.

Morocco's Murad Hidiouad equalized five minutes from time, and then scored the winning penalty after Litex's Bulgaria keeper Zdravko Zdravkov had saved four spot kicks out of seven, one better than the three CSKA's Stoyan Kolev managed to keep out.

CSKA, who lost their league title to Lokomotiv Plovdiv this season but hoped to win their 19th Cup, dominated a tough game but a spirited performance by Litex, who impressed defensively, enabled them to finish tied after 90 minutes and extra time.

Litex, who also won the Cup in 2001, went ahead seven minutes before the break through Bulgaria defender Zhivko Zhelev, who fired a 20-meter free kick into the top corner of the net, beyond the reach of CSKA goalkeeper Kolev.

However, Litex was reduced to 10 men when Brazilian halfback Tiago Silva was sent off three minutes later for hitting Yordan Todorov, encouraging CSKA to push hard for an equalizer.

Man of the match Zdravkov made a series of brilliant saves until unmarked Brazilian Joao Carlos equalized in a goalmouth scramble just before the hour mark, following a corner.

Bulgaria striker Emil Gargorov, set up by Hristo Yanev, put CSKA 2-1 ahead from close range. Hidiouad headed Litex level after a free kick five minutes from time before grabbing the winner in the penalty shooutout following Zdravkov's heroics.

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