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After playing the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup (CIS Insurance Cup) on Tuesday, the defending champions "Celtic" withdrew from the tournament after losing in a penalty shootout to "Falkirk", while "Kilmarnock", who won a tight match against "Motherwell", also advanced to the semi-finals.
In the match held in Glasgow, the country's champion "Celtic", with a slightly refreshed lineup after league matches with "Hearts", had better chances to score during regular time, but could not beat "Falkirk" goalkeeper Jeroen Lambers. The visitors also failed to score as Alan Gow's shot was blocked by Gary Caldwell, and Anthony Stokes hit the crossbar of Artur Boruc's goal.
In the first half of extra time, after a header from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, the Polish forward Maciej Zurawski put "Celtic" ahead, but the Glasgow club's lead did not last long, as “Falkirk” striker A. Stokes equalized the score after taking advantage of A. Gow's rebounded shot.
Later, in an attempt to snatch the victory, J.V of Hesselink hit the crossbar, and A. Stokes's shot was saved by the goalkeeper, so the winner had to be determined in the penalty shootout. All the first six shots were accurate, then unsuccessful attempts followed from A. Stokes, G. Caldwell, A. Gow, and Kenny Miller, and after Vitor Lima, M. Zurawski, and Jack Ross successfully converted their penalties, the decisive miss was by Evander Sno, who did not hit the target.
Along with "Falkirk", "Kilmarnock" also secured a ticket to the semi-finals, defeating "Motherwell" twice through goals by Frazer Wright, but Richie Foran initially with a penalty, and later David Clarkson equalized the result. Nevertheless, there was no extra time in this match, as the hosts scored a winning goal with a precise shot from the penalty spot in the 71st minute by Danny Invincibile.
Remaining two quarter-final matches will take place on Wednesday - in the Edinburgh derby at the "Easter Road" stadium, "Hibernian" will face Eduardo Malofeyev's coached "Hearts", and in Glasgow, "Rangers" will play against the only lower league team still competing in the tournament - currently leading the second division "St Johnstone" team.
Results of Tuesday's quarter-finals:
"Celtic" 1 - 1 "Falkirk" (after extra time, penalty shootout 4-5) 99' [1 - 0] Maciej Zurawski 100' [1 - 1] Anthony Stokes
"Kilmarnock" 3 - 2 "Motherwell" 7' [1 - 0] Frazer Wright 25' [1 - 1] Richie Foran (penalty) 45' [2 - 1] Frazer Wright 59' [2 - 2] David Clarkson 71' [3 - 2] Danny Invincibile
Wednesday's matches (Kick-off at 21:45 Lithuanian time)
"Hibernian" - "Hearts"
"Rangers" - "St Johnstone"
