Northern Ireland v Bulgaria

First page 1 Next page Last page

Official Digital Matchday programme of Northern Ireland v Bulgaria, Wednesday 31st March at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

O F F I C I A L M A T C H D A Y P R O G R A M M E £ 4

NORTHERN IRELAND v BULGARIA FI FA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 EUROPEAN QUAL I FY ING GROUP C NAT IONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK 31 . 03 . 21 KO 19:45

CONTENTS

TEAMS

2 3 5 7

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

IAN BARACLOUGH PATRICK NELSON

NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD INTERVIEW : GEORGE SAVILLE

14 16 20 31 32 34 36 49

DID YOU KNOW?

THE OPPONENTS - BULGARIA

BULGARIA SQUAD FACTFILE BULGARIA

INTERVIEW : DANIEL BALLARD INTERNATIONAL RECORD

Official Publication by Irish Football Association National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Donegall Avenue, Belfast, BT12 6LW Head of Communications Danny Lynch Editor Nigel Tilson Design and Print Minprint Ltd, 401 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, Co Down, BT5 6QP Tel: 028 9070 5205 www.minprint.co.uk

Irish Football Association President David Martin Deputy President Jack Grundie

Chief Executive Patrick Nelson Advertising Irish Football Association Pictures Press Eye

Please note that the views in this programme do not necessarily reflect those of the Irish Football Association. George Saville and Kyle Lafferty in an aerial battle with the USA defence during the friendly at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Sunday. The Americans won the game 2-1.

NORTHERN IRELAND

BULGARIA

Ian Baraclough Manager

Yasen Petrov Head Coach

Conor Hazard Celtic Liam Hughes Liverpool Bailey Peacock-Farrell Burnley Daniel Ballard Blackpool* Ciaron Brown Cardiff City Craig Cathcart Watford Stuart Dallas Leeds United Jonny Evans Leicester City Shane Ferguson Millwall Jamal Lewis Newcastle United Conor McLaughlin Sunderland Paddy McNair Middlesbrough Steven Davis Rangers Corry Evans Blackburn Rovers Matthew Kennedy Aberdeen Alistair McCann St Johnstone Niall McGinn Aberdeen George Saville Middlesbrough Michael Smith Heart of Midlothian Jordan Thompson Stoke City Dion Charles Accrington Stanley Kyle Lafferty Kilmarnock

Plamen Iliev Ludogorets Ivan Karadzhov Arda Daniel Naumov CSKA 1948 Vasil Bozhikov Slovan Bratislava Petar Zanev CSKA Sofia Strahil Popov Hatayspor Cicinho Ludogorets Petko Hristov Pro Vercelli Andrea Hristov Slavia Sofia Valentin Antov Bologna Daniel Dimov Cherno More Kristiyan Malinov OH Leuven Birsent Karagaren Lokomotiv Plovdiv Martin Raynov Levski Sofia Georgi Kostadinov Arsenal Tula Ivaylo Chochev CSKA 1948 Antonio Vutov Mezokovesdi SE Ilian Iliev Cherno More Petar Vitanov Lokomotiv Plovdiv Momchil Tsvetanov Lokomotiv Plovdiv Andrey Galabinov Spezia Dimitar Iliev Lokomotiv Plovdiv

Shayne Lavery Linfield Josh Magennis Hull City Gavin Whyte Hull City**

Georgi Yomov CSKA Sofia Kiril Despodov Ludogorets Spas Delev Arda Atanas Iliev Botev Plovdiv

*on loan from Arsenal **on loan from Cardiff City

Green and White

White, Green and Red

Referee Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2 Fourth Official Observer MATCH OFFICIALS

Yigal Frid ISR Snir Levy ISR Nati Dotan ISR Matityahu Yakobov ISR Kenneth Clarke SCO

www.irishfa.com

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

On behalf of the Irish Football Association it gives me great pleasure to welcome the players and officials of Bulgaria to Northern Ireland’s National Football Stadium in Belfast for tonight’s FIFA World Cup 2022 European Group C qualification game.

The pathway to one qualification and two play-off finals in the last three campaigns was built around consistent home performances and, following on from defeat to Italy in Parma last Thursday, Northern Ireland will be looking to get points on the board in this their first home game in the group. With Lithuania up next in early September followed by Switzerland home and away, there is a great opportunity tonight to put in place a good foundation with a winning performance. A mandatory friendly international against the USA provided an opportunity for most of the squad to have some game time in what is a tough schedule of three matches in seven days, especially for the small nations. Although the USA claimed victory by two goals to one there were positives for the management team to take from the game. Bulgaria began the group with defeats at home to first Switzerland and then Italy so will arrive in Belfast looking to make an impression on the Group C table. It has been 20 years since Northern Ireland and Bulgaria last met in a competitive fixture, although there was a friendly match at Windsor Park in 2008. Two games in 2001 were FIFA World Cup 2002 qualifiers and Bulgaria won both so we have to go back more than 40 years to the qualifying games for the European Championships of 1980 for a Northern Ireland win. In fact there were two victories for Northern Ireland in that campaign and they came just before we embarked on six successful years including qualification for two World Cup final tournaments. A year on from the Covid-19 outbreak changing the way in which we all have to do things, it is great credit

to football that it has prevailed at the elite level among the UEFA nations despite the restrictions placed upon the administrators. At what is the end of this winter of internationals, a pandemic-restricted year, I take this opportunity to thank everyone - players, management, technical staff and administration staff - who have met all Covid protocol requirements so professionally and with great patience. I look forward to a time when stadiums will again have spectators and bring back the atmosphere we have all taken for granted in the past. It will be fantastic when we get back to a full house at some point. Our captain Steven Davis will break the international caps record for a British player tonight and it gives me great pleasure to congratulate him on this marvellous achievement. Steven’s consistency throughout his international career has been magnificent and he started almost all of his 125 senior games for Northern Ireland to date. I hope that tonight’s qualifier is an exciting game of football and played in a good spirit of fair play by both sides. Whether you are reading this match programme online or in normal print format thanks for supporting the editorial teamwho have produced it.

Enjoy the game. David J Martin President Irish Football Association

www.irishfa.com

MANAGER’S VIEW

I really do not like losing football matches. I want to win games and tonight is a must-win for us against our FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 European Qualifying Group C rivals Bulgaria.

Although we lost to top seeds Italy in our opening Group C qualifier last Thursday, I have seen enough in that 2-0 defeat and the 2-1 loss to United States of America on Sunday to convince me that we have got what it takes to do well in this qualification campaign. That may sound a bit strange seeing as we have just lost two games on the trot, one a qualifier and the other a friendly, but I am focusing on the positives here. Naturally, I was disappointed with our first half performance against the Italians in Parma when we lacked intensity and were punished for it. The second half, however, showed me that if we believe in ourselves and produce the intensity then we will get our rewards. We definitely rattled the Italians, forcing them into mistakes and upsetting their rhythm. We also created some decent chances against a team renowned for its expertise in the art of defending. I did, of course, subsequently make wholesale changes to the starting line-up for the international challenge match against USA. But again I was pleased with many aspects of the performance. The penalty which ultimately secured victory for the Americans was dubious to say the least and I reckon a draw would have been a fair result given the number of chances we created against an agile and athletic American team. I felt our pressing and intensity during the first half in particular was spot on, and I was pleased with the way we kept at it after going two goals behind. I said before the game against the US that it would provide me with an opportunity to rest some players

and to provide other players with an opportunity to show what they could do on the international stage. There were some good individual performances against the Americans and some players certainly showed me they are good enough to be involved in what is a crunch game for us against the Bulgarians. Bulgaria have suffered two defeats over the past week in their opening Group C fixtures - against Switzerland and Italy - and I have no doubt they will be itching to get points on the board this evening. However, we are determined to get our campaign up and running by securing all three points. We have to win our home games if we are to stand any chance of making headway in the group. And I am confident that we can get the desired result tonight. Due to ongoing Covid restrictions the game is, of course, being played behind closed doors once again. It’s not ideal, but we have to live with it and continue to do all in our power to prevent the spread of coronavirus. I can’t wait for the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park to be packed again. In the meantime, however, I am confident we can give you, the fans, something to cheer about tonight as you watch the action from the comfort of your homes. Ian Baraclough Northern Ireland Manager

www.irishfa.com

GOOD EVENING

Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park even though I know that the vast majority of programme readers will only be able to watch the game on television or listen via radio.

Tonight we are back on the trail of qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and our visitors are from Bulgaria. Given last week’s result in Parma, and that we are in a five-team group, it’s important that we bounce back with a positive result now to set us up for the rest of the qualification matches in the autumn. On Sunday we faced the United States of America for the first time at senior international level and despite the narrow 2-1 defeat there were many positive signs. Ian Baraclough rested a number of players and the ones who came in put on a good show against our visitors who had scored at least four goals in each of their four previous matches. Topping the bill was Niall McGinn who scored a van Basten-esque goal in front of the West Stand (sadly empty again, of course) just before the end of the game. I mentioned on Sunday, in the NIR-USA matchday programme, that hopefully captain Steven Davis would break the British international caps record for senior men with his 126th appearance. In the end Ian quite sensibly rested Steven to ensure he’s ready for tonight’s competitive match, and so I’m confident that tonight Peter Shilton’s record will be broken at last after 31 years. This is some achievement for Steven who is still the driving force for club and country. We should

also note that other players are now closing in on significant cap counts, with Jonny Evans on 90 and Sunday’s captain Kyle Lafferty now over the 80 mark. Covid-19 has changed so many aspects of our lives over the last 12 months and in order to protect ourselves and our fellow citizens we have accepted a wide range of limitations on our civil liberties. With community transmission now on the way down, and vaccinations on the way up, we hope that spring is bringing in some positive signs that we can take steps on the return to a normal life. Football has played its part in keeping spirits up and giving supporters something to look forward to over the past difficult year, albeit we have only been able to experience games via media channels in the main. Let’s hope that by the time we all meet again for a senior men’s international here in September the GAWA can be back in their rightful places, bringing the atmosphere only the GAWA can generate. In the meantime enjoy the game tonight!

Patrick Nelson Chief Executive Irish Football Association

www.irishfa.com

NORTHERN IRELAND 1 McGINN 88' USA 2 REYNA 30', PULISIC 59' PEN

INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE MATCH 28.03.21 National Football Stadium at Windsor Park

STATS

POSSESSION %

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

FOULS

TEAMS

1 Hazard 4 Ballard 2 McLaughlin 22 Brown 5 Kennedy 15 Thompson 6 Saville 13 C Evans 11 Ferguson 10 Lafferty 9 Lavery

1 Steffen 3 Long 4 Miazga 13 Ream 2 Dest 23 Acosta 8 Musah

5 Robinson 7 Reyna 16 Siebatcheu 10 Pulisic

Substitutes

3 Lewis 7 McGinn 8 Charles 12 Peacock-Farrell 14 Dallas

9 Sargent 11 Aaronson 12 de la Torre 14 Otasowie 15 Richards

16 McCann 17 McNair 18 Whyte 19 Smith 20 Cathcart 21 Magennis 23 Hughes

17 Lletget 18 Cappis 19 Reynolds 21 Dike 22 Horvath 24 Palmer-Brown 25 Odunze

www.irishfa.com

Words Nigel Tilson

NORTHERN IRELAND LOSE 2-1 TO USA IN CHALLENGE MATCH Northern Ireland were defeated 2-1 by United States of America in a challenge match in Belfast on Sunday.

Goals from American strikers Giovanni Reyna and Christian Pulisic (penalty) secured the victory for the visitors, with Northern Ireland pulling one back late on thanks to a superb strike from substitute Niall McGinn. The game at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park was the first meeting between the two countries at senior international level and it was a pretty lively encounter. Only one of the Northern Ireland players who started against Italy in a World Cup qualifier last Thursday were in the starting eleven, while regular captain Steven Davis and vice captain Jonny Evans were left out of Ian Baraclough’s squad. The Americans, by contrast, fielded a strong starting eleven peppered with players who play for big European clubs. The first clearcut chance of the game fell to Kyle Lafferty, who was captaining Northern Ireland and earning his 81st cap for his country. George Saville’s slick pass put the striker clear of the American defence but he pulled his shot wide of the post. Then Corry Evans produced a decent strike as the American defence cleared a corner, however his rising effort flew just over the top.

Northern Ireland had a flurry of set-pieces but the US defence held firm, with Matthew Miazga imperious, and then USA took the lead against the run of play through Reyna on 29 minutes. Tim Ream slipped the ball to the unmarked Reyna who let fly from 22 yards. His shot deflected off Ciaron Brown and looped over Conor Hazard’s head into the net. In the 37th minute Shayne Lavery, who was full of running, produced a clever low drive which was palmed away by US keeper Zack Steffen. Just after the break Brown thwarted Reyna as he bore down on goal, although the Americans doubled their lead on 59 minutes when Pulisic scored from the spot. The penalty was awarded when Ballard was adjudged to have scythed down Pulisic inside the area. Dion Charles, one of four Northern Ireland subs introduced just after Pulisic’s goal, had his first strike at international level five minutes later. Lafferty teed him up just outside the area and Charles curled his shot inches wide of the upright. McGinn pounced in the 88th minute to blast the ball home from a tight angle. It was a lovely half-volley finish as he got on the end of a Lafferty flick-on.

www.irishfa.com

EXCLUSIVE RETAIL PARTNER

NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD

DANIEL BALLARD DEFENDER

CONOR HAZARD GOALKEEPER

LIAM HUGHES GOALKEEPER

BAILEY PEACOCK-FARRELL GOALKEEPER

Club

Celtic Club

Club

Blackpool

Liverpool

Burnley

Age Caps Goals 0 *On loan from Arsenal 21 6

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals 19 0 0

Age Caps Goals

JONATHAN EVANS DEFENDER

STUART DALLAS DEFENDER

CIARON BROWN DEFENDER

CRAIG CATHCART DEFENDER

Club

Leicester City

Cardiff City

Watford

Leeds United

Age Caps Goals

SHANE FERGUSON DEFENDER

JAMAL LEWIS DEFENDER

CONOR McLAUGHLIN DEFENDER

PATRICK McNAIR DEFENDER

Club

Millwall

Newcastle United

Sunderland

Middlesbrough

Age Caps Goals

www.irishfa.com

STEVEN DAVIS MIDFIELDER

CORRY EVANS MIDFIELDER

MATTHEW KENNEDY MIDFIELDER

ALISTAIR McCANN MIDFIELDER

Club

Rangers

Blackburn Rovers

Aberdeen

St Johnstone

Age Caps Goals

125

NIALL McGINN MIDFIELDER

GEORGE SAVILLE MIDFIELDER

MICHAEL SMITH DEFENDER

JORDAN THOMPSON MIDFIELDER

Club

Heart of Midlothian

Aberdeen

Middlesbrough

Stoke City

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals 33 63 6

Age Caps Goals

DION CHARLES FORWARD

KYLE LAFFERTY FORWARD

SHAYNE LAVERY FORWARD

JOSH MAGENNIS FORWARD

GAVIN WHYTE FORWARD

Club

Linfield Club

Club

Accrington Stanley

Kilmarnock

Hull City

Age Caps Goals

Age Caps Goals 2 *On loan from Cardiff City 25 16

www.irishfa.com

Words Mark McIntosh The Sun

READY TO RISE TO CHALLENGE ONCE AGAIN George Saville believes the best way for Northern Ireland to get over Euro play-off final heartbreak, and the defeats to Italy and USA over the past week, is to start building momentum.

Despite only making his Northern Ireland debut in 2017, the 27-year-old former Millwall ace admits he sees himself as one of the senior members of Ian Baraclough’s squad. He won his 28th cap against the USA in the friendly in Belfast on Sunday and also featured as a sub in the World Cup qualifier against the Italians last week. He pointed out: “It’s only been three years or so but it does feel as though it is longer than that. “I absolutely love coming away with Northern Ireland and playing at international level. Thankfully I made a good impression when I first came into the group and I’ve been able to work my way into the team quite a bit. “I have loved it all but the disappointment of missing out on the Euros after the Slovakia play- off defeat was hard to take. It’s nice to get this campaign under way, to press the reset button.”

The Middlesbrough midfielder says challenging for a place at the World Cup final tournament in Qatar in 2022 is a perfect opportunity to get the agonising defeat to Slovakia last year out of the team’s system. “The Slovakia defeat was partly my fault. I know we lost 2-1 but the first goal was sloppy from me,” said Saville. “I do think about that from time to time. It’s difficult just to brush off the play-off defeat if I’m being honest. Our future was relying on one game after a lot of hard work had gone in. We had tough games in Germany and the Netherlands and tough summer games in Estonia and Belarus, but it all came down to 90 minutes, or 120 minutes as it turned out, against Slovakia. “There was so much emotion and there wasn’t much anyone could say. Of course we were upset and sad but it’s more than just a loss and moving on. It’s good this campaign has come around quickly and we will get stuck into that.”

www.irishfa.com

He said the players are all looking to bounce back quickly after the 2-0 defeat to Italy, and the 2-1 loss to USA, and are confident they can rise to the challenge once again. Saville is still searching for his first international goal. He’s had a few near misses along the way, however having been a consistent scorer for Boro this season he is hopeful that elusive first strike in a green shirt isn’t far away. “It does eat away at me a bit. Of course I think about it. In the last three years I have scored 20 plus goals at club level but haven’t yet scored for Northern Ireland,” he explained. “I’ve shown I can score goals at club level and I have had chances for Northern Ireland. It’s disappointing for me because I know people say when you score the first you might get two or three and that does kind of happen in football and I’m sure it’ll click. “I want to score for Northern Ireland but the most important thing for me is contributing to the team. I don’t want to score a goal but not play well. I know it will come. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later.” Saville and his Northern Ireland team-mate Paddy McNair have enjoyed a good season in the EFL Championship with Boro, who are lurking just below the play-off places. After this month’s triple header, both players will be hoping to make a push for the Premier League before setting their sights on World Cup qualification once again in the autumn. “Club level has been good; I’ve played a lot of games and scored five goals this season. We’re in a better position than we were last season,” said Saville. “We’re six points off the play-offs with eight games to go, so even though it’s a tough ask we will be there or thereabouts. “It’s always nice to be playing for something at the end of the season and it’s very different to last year. “Back then we were in a difficult spot at the wrong end of the table but the new manager (Neil Warnock) came in and we’ve been able to get some momentum. We’re in a good place and we’re determined not to let the season fizzle out given the position we’re in now.” Saville’s versatility has also been useful for both Michael O’Neill and Ian Baraclough, and the midfielder has revealed he takes inspiration from an international team-mate when asked to play in different roles. He explained: “Over the course of your career you’re going to get asked to play in different positions. “Stuart Dallas is a good example at Leeds; the manager (Marcelo Bielsa) asks him to play in numerous positions, and the manager clearly really trusts him. “He’s not just playing in different positions in the Premier League, he’s playing really well in different positions in the Premier League. “As long as I’m playing I’m happy. I like to play as a number eight, box to box, but as long as I’m playing I’m happy.”

GEORGE SAVILLE

Position Midfielder Date Of Birth 01.06.1993 Place Of Birth Camberley

MIDFIELDER

Height 176cm Weight 73kg

CLUBS Chelsea 40 Wolverhampton Wanderers 50 Bristol City (loan) 7 Millwall (loan) 12 Millwall 48 Middlesbrough (loan) 16 Middlesbrough 87 22 SQUAD NO CLUB RECORD 0 3 Millwall (loan) Brentford (loan)

INTERNATIONAL RECORD

SQUAD NO

Debut 05.10.17 v Germany (H) Lost 1-3

Caps 28 Goals 0

www.irishfa.com

DID YOU KNOW?

Words Marshall Gillespie

If Kyle Lafferty finds the net tonight he will become only the second Kilmarnock player ever to score a goal for Northern Ireland. The first was Josh Magennis whose never to be forgotten header in the 3-1 victory at Windsor Park over Greece back in October 2015 helped send Michael O’Neill’s side to Euro 2016 in France.

Northern Ireland have played international matches on 31 March on six previous occasions, winning two, drawing one and losing three. The full list is: 1894 v Scotland (h) BIC – lost 1-2 1954 v Wales (a) WCQ – won 2-1 1965 v Wales (h) BIC – lost 0-5 1993 v ROI (a) WCQ – lost 0-3 1999 v Moldova (a) ECQ – drew 0-0 2004 v Estonia (a) FR – won 1-0

Of the 11 hat-tricks scored by Ireland/ Northern Ireland players only two have ever been scored in World Cup matches. Bolton Wanderers striker Billy McAdams recorded the first when West Germany visited Windsor Park and won 4-3 on 26 October 1960. McAdams’ second goal that afternoon actually saw Peter Doherty’s side take a 2-1 lead against the Germans, but within four minutes they were losing 3-2! The other hat- trick came five years later on 7 May 1965 when Johnny Crossan scored three inside 56 minutes in a 4-1 success against Albania in Belfast.

A total of 38 of Northern Ireland’s 684 goals have been scored by substitutes. The player with the most goals when coming off the bench is current Hull City striker Josh Magennis with four, the last being in the 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Austria in Vienna back in November. The only player to ever find the net twice as a substitute is Kyle Lafferty whose brace of goals came in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying success over San Marino at Windsor Park in October 2016.

Northern Ireland have previously played seven full internationals against Bulgaria, four of which have been World Cup qualifiers. Our full record against them is won two, drew one, lost four: 18 Oct 1972 – WCQ (Sofia) – lost 0-3 26 Sep 1973 – WCQ (Hillsborough) – drew 0-0

29 Nov 1978 – ECQ (Sofia) – won 2-0 2 May 1979 – ECQ (Belfast) – won 2-0 28 Mar 2001 – WCQ (Sofia) – lost 3-4 2 Jun 2001 – WCQ (Belfast) – lost 0-1 6 Feb 2008 – FR (Belfast) – lost 0-1

www.irishfa.com

Unfortunately Nathan Gartside had to pull out of the current squad - it was his first senior call-up - on medical grounds. The last Derry City player to win a full Northern Ireland cap was Niall McGinn when he played against Hungary at Windsor Park on 19 November 2008. After some impressive performances for Derry City the then Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington handed the Donaghmore man his debut as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 friendly defeat to the Hungarians. That meant McGinn became the first Derry City player to be capped since Liam Coyle in May 1989.

Billy Caskey’s only ever international goal came on his debut when Northern Ireland pulled off a surprise 2-0 victory over Bulgaria in Sofia in a European Championship qualifier in November 1978. Gerry Armstrong had given Danny Blanchflower’s side a 17th minute lead with Caskey, then playing for Derby County, sealing the two points with a second seven minutes from time. Also making his debut in that game was another Derby player, Vic Moreland, who came on as a late substitute for Sammy McIlroy.

A total of 72 players (including three opposition players who have scored own goals) have contributed to Northern Ireland’s tally of 162 goals in World Cup matches (which includes WC finals). Not surprisingly the player who tops the list is David Healy with nine, while the legend that is Gerry Armstrong is just behind him with eight. Of the current panel Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty lead the way with five goals apiece while Josh Magennis has three, all of which came in the last World Cup qualifying campaign. Defensive stalwart Jonny Evans has two to his name while four other players in Ian Baraclough’s squad - Stuart Dallas, Niall McGinn, Conor McLaughlin and Conor Washington - have all scored once in World Cup qualifiers.

When Northern Ireland lost 4-3 in a World Cup qualifier in Sofia on 28 March 2001 it was only the fifth time in their history that they scored three goals in a game and lost. The full list of games is: 23 Feb 1929 v Scotland (h) – BIC – lost 3-7 26 Oct 1960 v West Germany (h) - WCQ - lost 3-4 20 Nov 1963 v England (a) – BIC – lost 3-8 3 Oct 1964 v England (h) – BIC – lost 3-4 28 Mar 2001 v Bulgaria (a) – WCQ – lost 3-4

Northern Ireland have a fairly decent home record in World Cup qualifiers. In 63 games in Belfast they have won 31 (49 %), drawn 13 (21%) and lost 19 (30%). They have scored 96 goals and conceded 65 and kept 30 clean sheets.

www.irishfa.com

SCOUTING REPORT Andy Greeves takes a closer look at Bulgaria ahead of this evening’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier.

Bulgaria had just 30% and 32% possession in the aforementioned matches with Switzerland and Italy and are likely to be comfortable sitting deep and looking to hit their opponents on the counter- attack once again this evening. STRENGTHS With just two victories in their past 25 internationals, Bulgaria are clearly struggling for form and confidence. Their greatest cause for optimism going forward lies with a promising generation of young players who are knocking on the door for selection in Petrov’s squad. Of that group 20-year-old midfielder Ilian Iliev came off the bench to make his Lavovete debut against Switzerland last Thursday. Yasen Petrov has said he wants his Bulgaria side to play without fear, irrespective of their opponent. The likes of 19-year-old Martin Minchev and uncapped 21-year-old Stanislav Ivanov embody that spirit, with their willingness to get on the ball and run at their opponents. Both will hope to feature in Petrov’s next squad having failed to have been included in this current one. In 20-year-old defender Valentin Antov, Petrov may well have a future national team captain at his disposal. The Sofia-born player, who captained his current employers CSKA Sofia in the first half of this season, recently joined Serie A club Bologna on loan with a view to a permanent transfer. Fiorentina midfielder Dimo Krastev may be a little way off a senior call, having just celebrated his 18th birthday, but he is another player who is expected to be a future star of Bulgarian football. In the here and now Petrov will hope Bulgaria can build on relatively solid displays against Switzerland and Italy by picking up their first point(s) in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park this evening.

LOWDOWN With their attempts to reach UEFA Euro 2020 ultimately ending in disappointment, Bulgaria haven’t qualified for a major tournament since UEFA Euro 2004. The Lavovete’s (Lions) hopes of making it to UEFA Euro 2020 were boosted by their performances in the 2018/19 UEFA Nations League. By virtue of their second-place finish in Group C3, Bulgaria were promoted to League B and secured a place in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs in the process. They finished fourth in UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying Group A, missing out on automatic qualification. In the play-off semi-final, the Lavovete went down to a 3-1 defeat to Hungary with a Covid-19- restricted crowd of 1,929 watching on inside the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia last October. Georgi Dermendzhiev left his post as the national team’s head coach a few months later. TACTICS Under Dermendzhiev’s management Bulgaria typically set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The team’s shape often appeared more like a 4-6-0, with an attacking midfielder - such as Bozhidar Kraev - deployed as a ‘false nine’. In the recent home defeats to Switzerland (3-1 loss on 25 March) and Italy (2-0 reverse on 28 March) new head coach Yasen Petrov operated with a back three. A 3-4-2-1/3-5-2 system was deployed for those matches. Spezia striker Andrey Galabinov partnered Spas Delev up front for the Italy clash, making his first appearance for Bulgaria since a friendly fixture against Saudi Arabia back in November 2017. Adept at holding the ball up and standing 6ft 4in tall, the forward will be the focal point of the Lavovete’s attack if selected once again this evening.

POSSIBLE LINE-UP GK Plamen Iliev CB Vasil Bozhikov CB Daniel Dimov CB Valentin Antov ML Momchil Tsvetanov MC Ivaylo Chochev MC Petar Vitanov MC Georgi Kostadinov MR Cicinho FW Spas Delev FW Andrey Galabinov

Many thanks to journalist Fabian Zerche (www.spox.com/at) for his assistance in the writing of this article. Many thanks to journalist Metodi Shumanov (Twitter: @shumanskoo) for his assistance in the writing of this article.

IRISH FA TOURS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COME TO THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK BUT WE CAN COME TO YOU! (VIRTUALLY THAT IS).

BOOK A VIRTUAL SESSION FOR YOUR GROUP TODAY!

SESSIONS ARE RUN ON ZOOM OR MS TEAMS.

FOR INFORMATION & BOOKINGS CONTACT: TOURS@IRISHFA.COM

TALKIN’ ’BOUT MY GENERATION Andy Greeves looks back on a memorable period for the Bulgarian national team during the 1990s.

A 2-0 win over Argentina – who had been World Cup runners-up four years earlier – in Lavovete’s third and final group match in Dallas on 30 June suddenly got people thinking about Bulgaria as tournament dark horses. Stoichkov was on target again in the match as Lavovete sealed a second-place finish in Group D and progressed to the knockout phase. The Barcelona forward struck again as Bulgaria drew 1-1 with Mexico in the round of 16, with Penev’s men eventually making it through to the quarter- finals on penalties. From no hopers to dark horses, a 2-1 win over reigning world champions Germany at the Giants Stadium on 10 July brought Bulgaria into the category of genuine contenders for the competition. Having gone behind to a Lothar Matthaus penalty minutes after half-time, Lavovete rallied and goals from Stoichkov and Letchkov booked Penev’s side a place in the last four. Alas a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Italy at the Giants Stadium on 13 July brought an end to Bulgaria’s dreams of World Cup glory. Stoichkov’s penalty in that match was his sixth goal at USA ‘94, which saw him secure the tournament’s Golden Boot along with Russia’s Oleg Salenko. Lavovete crashed to a 4-0 defeat to Sweden in the third-place play-off in Pasadena but that heavy loss did little to detract from what had been a wonderful World Cup for Penev’s men. The likes of Stoichkov, Letchkov, Emil Kostadinov and Krasimir Balakov - all key members of the squad in the mid to late 1990s that was dubbed Bulgaria’s golden generation - went on to secure qualification for the UEFA European Championship finals in 1996, which was the first time the Bulgarian national team reached the Euros. Three of those four players also appeared for Lavovete at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, however since then Bulgaria have only reached one major tournament – UEFA Euro 2004 – which emphasises just how golden a period the 1990s was for the eastern Europeans.

The 17th of November 1993 is a defining date in the history of Bulgarian football. Drawing 1-1 with France in their final FIFA World Cup 1994 qualifier, and with injury time approaching, Lavovete (The Lions) were set to miss out on a place at the final tournament. Bulgaria went into the match at the Parc des Princes in Paris two points behind Les Blues, who held the coveted runners-up spot in European Qualifying Group 6. Moments before the final whistle sounded, French winger David Ginola attempted to cross the ball to teammate Eric Cantona inside the Bulgarian penalty area. Ginola overhit his cross and the ball instead landed at the feet of Bulgaria’s Emil Kremenliev. The left-back started off a swift break which eventually saw Emil Kostadinov score his second goal of the match to send Lavovete to USA ’94 at the expense of France by virtue of a 2-1 win. Despite their heroics in Paris, not much was expected of Lavovete at the 1994 World Cup outside of Bulgaria itself. The team had only once progressed beyond the group stage of the tournament in five attempts, reaching the round of 16 in 1986. Pitted alongside previous competition winners Argentina, African Cup of Nations champions Nigeria and Balkan rivals Greece in Group D at the tournament in America, notions of even repeating that feat in 1994 seemed far-fetched. A 3-0 defeat to Nigeria in their opening group match in Dallas on 21 June compounded Lavovete’s underdog status. But with a talented squad that included Barcelona forward and past European Golden Shoe winner Hristo Stoichkov, Dimitar Penev’s side then laid down a marker at the tournament. Stoichkov’s brace of penalties and further goals from Hamburger SV’s Yordan Letchkov and Levski Sofia’s Daniel Borisov gave them a 4-0 victory over Greece in their second group fixture at Soldier Field in Chicago.

www.irishfa.com

WORLD CUP MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK I love the World Cup. I love the festival, the colours, the relentlessness of the tournament – football on the TV nearly every minute of every day – and I love the ‘journey’ as we follow an unexpected and unfeted team into the farther reaches of the tournament.

in 2018 in Russia Luka Modric ran the show until the Croatians ran out of steam in the final against the French. All memorable in their own merits. I know that Northern Ireland fans have latterly learned to love the Euros, but there is a remaining fascination about the World Cup – the chance to play exotic opponents like Honduras or Algeria and be part of a worldwide TV audience of hundreds of millions. Of course we have to get there first, and that won’t be easy. Participation in the play-offs in 2017 against Switzerland was as close as it has been for Northern Ireland in 30 years, and our task to overcome the Italians, Swiss, Bulgarians and Lithuanians will not be straightforward. Twice before we have been paired with the Bulgarians in World Cup qualification and (whisper it please) we have yet to record a victory, the closest to one being a scoreless draw in 1973 played at Hillsborough, Sheffield during our wilderness years (1971-1975), so it’s about time that that particular record was amended. None of us know what these matches will provide or what the World Cup journey to Qatar will look like, but let’s buckle our seatbelts, prepare for take-off and enjoy the ride! Words William Campbell

Even a tournament played out in Qatar during the depths of a northern hemisphere winter in December 2022 will excite and enthrall. Every match brings a different story – whether East v West Germany in 1974, the Saudi Arabians wanting to take their team off in ’82, the dullness of sterile scoreless draws or the excitement of penalty shootouts. Many of my early football memories are around World Cups. I can vaguely remember England 1966. I enjoyed the wonderful Brazilians of 1970, the rain of Germany 1974, the tickertape and Ally McLeod of 1978 (my first replica shirt was a Mario Kempes 10 shirt from that competition; I even had an aborted attempt to grow a gaucho moustache!). For Northern Ireland fans ’82 and ’86 are etched in history, 1990 was Schillaci and Italy and ’94 brought the game to the USA. I wouldn’t be asking Diana Ross to take any penalties, however. Then 1998 saw the great French team that won without a central striker, 2002 brought Roy Keane’s Saipan tantrum and the South Korean fans, while 2006 in Germany is memorable for Zidane’s headbutt, 2010 in South Africa was the Howard Webb final or who can forget Suarez’s last minute handball and red card and the subsequent Ghanaian penalty miss? In Brazil four years later the hosts were unceremoniously swept aside by the ruthless Germans who went on to lift the trophy, while

www.irishfa.com

PASSPORT VALID, BAG PACKED & MATCH TICKET SECURED?

WE’LL BE READY WHEN WE GET THE GREEN (& WHITE) LIGHT!

The Official Northern Ireland Supporters Travel Partner

travel-solutions.co.uk Book with Confidence, visit

EXCLUSIVE IFA OFFER

THE MOST POWERFUL FOOTBALL GPS TRACKER IN THE WORLD. Make every training session count. Get 10% OFF your IFA Edition Apex Athlete Series. Enter discount code IFA10

P U R C H A S E A T S T A T S P O R T S . C O M

O F F I C I A L G P S P L AY E R P E R F ORM A N C E PA R T N E R O F T H E I R I S H F A

EXCLUSIVE RETAIL PARTNER

Words Liam Blackburn

BULGARIA THE COACH Yasen Petrov is the new man on the scene for Bulgaria after being appointed as the country’s coach in January.

He won three caps for the national team and was a two-time Bulgarian Cup winner with Levski Sofia and Lokomotiv Sofia. Petrov’s coaching career began with Lokomotiv Sofia in 2002 and he had four other managerial jobs before being hired by Levski Sofia in 2010. He led Levski Sofia into the group stages of the 2010-11 Europa League – the last time they reached that stage of any European competition. After his spell with Levski, Petrov returned to China and spent several years coaching clubs there. » Petrov was the first foreign coach to be appointed by Shijiazhuang Yongchang and had two spells in charge of the club. » In his first year they won promotion to the Chinese Super League, where Petrov pitted his wits against coaches such as Sven Goran Eriksson, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Manuel Pellegrini, and he coached Iceland great Eidur Gudjohnsen. » Petrov was in charge of Levski when they

The 52-year-old was chosen ahead of Georgi Donkov and Georgi Dermendzhiev – the man who had previously been in charge of Bulgaria – to be the national team boss, starting with 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland, Italy and Northern Ireland this month. “I am Bulgarian and I love my country,” Petrov said shortly after being handed the job. “I like Bulgarian footballers and I want to see the growth of Bulgarian footballers. I will be able to motivate, in the best way, our footballers who get into the national team. “Footballers should not worry; they should be very motivated. It’s a great responsibility to bear this shirt, it’s not just a job.” Petrov signed a one-year deal, with the option of another 12 months on top of that, having most recently coached in China. He became the seventh successive Bulgarian to be appointed as the national team’s coach since Germany legend Lothar Matthaus’ surprising stint at the helm of Bulgaria between 2010 and 2011. “I hope we can make the people who live in this country happy in some way,” Petrov added of his role. “The players have to have self-confidence, to show a mentality. We will try to create a mood, to have discipline.” A former attacking midfielder, Petrov had a long playing career with clubs in Bulgaria, China, Cyprus and Germany.

beat League of Ireland side Dundalk en route to the group stage of the 2010-11 Europa League. Though they finished bottom of that group, they were unbeaten in Sofia, beating Gent and Sporting CP (Lisbon), and drawing with Lille in their three home matches.

www.irishfa.com

BULGARIA SQUAD

Words Liam Blackburn

GOALKEEPERS

IVAN KARADZHOV ARDA

PLAMEN ILIEV LUDOGORETS

DANIEL NAUMOV CSKA 1948

Age 29 Caps 19 Goals 0

Age 23 Caps 0 Goals 0

Age 31 Caps 0 Goals 0

An ex-Levski Sofia stopper who later played for two Romanian clubs before coming back to Bulgaria and joining Ludogorets, with whom he has won two titles. Iliev was a regular for his country’s Under-21s before making his debut in 2012. Saved a penalty from Emil Forsberg in a 3-2 win over Sweden in 2017.

Karadzhov has played for CSKA Sofia, Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Beroe, Vereya and Arda in Bulgaria while also appearing for Shakhtyor in Belarus. Prior to this international break he had been an unused substitute in four Bulgaria matchday squads but had yet to make his senior bow for his country.

Was in the academies at both CSKA Sofia and Ludogorets. Made his senior debut with Ludogorets but could not establish himself as the club’s number one and moved to Vereya on loan before joining CSKA 1948. Scouts from some of Europe’s biggest clubs have reportedly been keeping tabs on the young goalkeeper.

DEFENDERS

VASIL BOZHIKOV SLOVAN BRATISLAVA

PETAR ZANEV CSKA SOFIA

STRAHIL POPOV HATAYSPOR

Age 32 Caps 32 Goals 2

Age 35 Caps 45 Goals 0

Age 30 Caps 35 Goals 0

Central defender who captains Slovan Bratislava, with whom he has won two Slovak Super Liga titles. Previously played in Bulgaria and Turkey. Scored in two of Bulgaria’s Euro 2020 qualifiers, against Kosovo and Czech Republic. Won his first cap in 2016 and has largely been a mainstay ever since.

Vastly experienced defender who can play at left back or centre back and has previously served as captain for Bulgaria. Joined Celta Vigo on loan earlier in his career when Bulgaria legend Hristo Stoichkov was in charge of the Spanish club. He has also played in Ukraine and Russia.

Right back who had four assists in the 2018-19 Nations League. Popov has played his club football in Turkey since joining Kasimpasa in 2015. Won promotion to the Turkish top flight with Hatayspor last season. Was awarded his first senior international cap in 2014 in a 1-1 draw with Canada.

CICINHO LUDOGORETS

PETKO HRISTOV PRO VERCELLI

ANDREA HRISTOV SLAVIA SOFIA

Age 32 Caps 7 Goals 0

Age 22 Caps 0 Goals 0

Born in Brazil, Cicinho received a Bulgarian passport in 2018 and received his first call-up for the country in August 2020. He made his debut in Cardiff against Wales. Joined Ludogorets from Santos in 2015 and has already won five league titles. Two of his three goals for Ludogorets have come this season.

One of the Hristov twins in this squad. Petko began his career with Levski Sofia before moving across the city to join Slavia. Since 2017 he has been with Fiorentina, who signed Hristov off the back of his displays in the 2017 Under-19 Euros. Is currently on his third loan spell away from the club.

The other Hristov twin was also uncapped at senior level prior to this international break. He appeared in the matchday squad for a 1-0 loss to Belarus in February 2020. Andrea has remained with Slavia and played for the club alongside Petko. He has played in Italy as well, having joined Cosenza on loan in 2019.

VALENTIN ANTOV BOLOGNA

DANIEL DIMOV CHERNO MORE

Age 20 Caps 4 Goals 0

Age 32 Caps 2 Goals 0

Antov has plenty of experience already having broken the record for CSKA Sofia’s youngest player when debuting aged 14. He captained the club in his teens and moved to Bologna on loan with an option to buy in February. He made his senior debut for Bulgaria in March 2019.

Captain of his club team, with whom he is in his third spell. Dimov has also played for teams in Israel and Turkey. Scored in a cup game for Cherno More earlier this month. He received his first call-up for Bulgaria’s senior side in October 2010 but only won his first two caps in the World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Italy in this international window.

www.irishfa.com

MIDFIELDERS

KRISTIYAN MALINOV OH LEUVEN

BIRSENT KARAGAREN LOKOMOTIV PLOVDIV

MARTIN RAYNOV LEVSKI SOFIA

Age 28 Caps 8 Goals 0

Age 27 Caps 20 Goals 0

Age 28 Caps 8 Goals 0

Malinov played for Litex Lovech and CSKA Sofia in his native Bulgaria before joining Belgian side OH Leuven, who share owners with Leicester City. He made his debut for Bulgaria in 2015 and has only become a regular over the past two years after winning three caps between 2015 and 2018.

Has spent his entire career in Bulgaria and came through the ranks having debuted in the third tier with Asenovets. Won the Bulgarian Cup in back-to-back years with Lokomotiv Plovdiv. Karagaren’s first call-up for the senior national team came in October 2019. In six of his eight appearances he has come off the bench.

A defensive-minded central midfielder who has spent the past two years with Levski Sofia and his entire career in Bulgaria. Raynov’s first seven caps before this international break were won between 2017 and 2018, although he was an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Gibraltar in November.

GEORGI KOSTADINOV ARSENAL TULA

IVAYLO CHOCHEV CSKA 1948

ANTONIO VUTOV MEZOKOVESDI

Age 30 Caps 27 Goals 3

Age 28 Caps 20 Goals

Age 24 Caps 0 Goals 0

Kostadinov plays his club football for Russian Premier League side Arsenal Tula after joining in 2018. Prior to that he won two league titles and a cup with Ludogorets, although he was in and out of the team. All three of his international goals came in 2017 in World Cup qualifiers against Belarus, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Best known for a five-year spell with Italian club Palermo, whom he joined shortly after Kyle Lafferty had left. Joined Pescara but never played for the club having suffered a serious injury shortly before moving. His most memorable international goal was the winner in a 3-2 victory over Sweden.

Vutov came into this international break having yet to make his senior bow, however he has already represented Bulgaria Under- 17s, Under-19s and Under-21s. He was the youngest ever player to appear for Levski Sofia when he debuted aged 15. Now plays his club football in Hungary.

ILIAN ILIEV CHERNO MORE

PETAR VITANOV LOKOMOTIV PLOVDIV

MOMCHIL TSVETANOV LOKOMOTIV PLOVDIV

Age 21 Caps 1 Goals 0

Age 26 Caps 1 Goals 0

Age 30 Caps 2 Goals 0

The son of former Benfica midfielder Ilian Iliev Senior, who manages Cherno More and played for Bulgaria at the 1998 World Cup. Iliev Junior spent time in Portugal earlier in his career before returning to Cherno More. He made five appearances for Bulgaria’s Under-21s in U21 Euro 2021 qualifiers.

Vitanov is with the senior squad for the first time in his career having previously represented Bulgaria at Under-19 level. A defensive-minded midfielder – he is yet to score a goal in Bulgaria’s top flight – Vitanov has previously won Bulgarian Cups with both CSKA Sofia and Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

Like Vitanov, Tsvetanov is a midfielder for Lokomotiv who has been called up off the back of his form for the Bulgarian high- fliers. Prior to this month Tsvetanov had already scored four times in the league for Lokomotiv. He has won two league titles and six Bulgarian Cups in his career.

STRIKERS

ANDREY GALABINOV SPEZIA

DIMITAR ILIEV LOKOMOTIV PLOVDIV

GEORGI YOMOV CSKA SOFIA

Age 32 Caps 12 Goals 2

Age 32 Caps 7 Goals 2

Age 23 Caps 5 Goals 2

Has spent all of his career in Italy after moving to the country at the age of 16. Both of his international goals came in 2014 and, prior to this international break, his most recent cap was won in 2017. Started this season in good form, scoring three times in Serie A newcomers Spezia’s first two games.

Iliev was named Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 2019 and 2020 and has reached double figures in goals in each of the past three seasons with Lokomotiv Plovdiv. That form extended onto the international stage as well, with Iliev scoring both of his international goals in the previous window in November.

Has spent his entire career so far in Sofia – though he has played for Levski, Slavia and CSKA. A Bulgarian international at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level, Yomov scored on his senior bow after coming on in the 3-1 loss to Hungary in October. Was also on target against Gibraltar in November.

KIRIL DESPODOV LUDOGORETS

SPAS DELEV ARDA

ATANAS ILIEV BOTEV PLOVDIV

Age 24 Caps 16 Goals 2

Age 31 Caps 31 Goals 2

Age 26 Caps 2 Goals 0

Despodov was named Bulgarian Footballer of the Year in 2018, becoming the first CSKA Sofia player to win the award since the great Hristo Stoichkov did so in 1989. He is currently on loan with Ludogorets from Italian club Cagliari. Scored his first international goal against Cyprus in 2018 and scored against Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier last week.

Made his debut for the senior side a decade ago. Delev’s only two international goals prior to this break came in a memorable 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Has spent most of his career in Bulgaria but also had spells in Turkey, Spain and Poland.

Iliev is one of the Bulgarian top flight’s in-form strikers having scored 13 times in his first 18 appearances this season. He was previously a prolific marksman in the second tier – reaching double figures in three straight years with Montana before moving to his current club.

www.irishfa.com

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64

Made with FlippingBook HTML5