BULGARIA WINS 2-1 AGAINST BOSNIA

ZENICA, Bosnia (August 21,2008) - Tottenham Hotspurs’ unsettled striker Dimitar Berbatov struck a goal in each half to lead Bulgaria to a 1-2 victory against Bosnia at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica yesterday.

Dimitar Berbatov showed exactly why he is such hot property in this summer’s European transfer market when he notched up two goals to steer Bulgaria to a friendly win over Bosnia, as the two nations begin preparations for their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Bulgaria took the lead in the 26th minute when Berbatov took advantage of some shocking defending by Bosnia’s Hajduk Split midfielder Senijad Ibricic, who literally passed the ball directly to the Bulgarian captain right infront of an empty net.

The visitors created the second goal on their own, though, when Martin Petrov’s cross was headed in by Berbatov in the 57th minute. But just two minutes later, the Bosnians managed to pull a goal back and immediately raised hopes of a comeback.

Ibricic atoned for his earlier error when he rose highest in a crowded penalty box to head the ball past Bulgarian goalkeeper Stoyan Kolev who had only just come on three minutes earlier . But the fightback never quite materialized as Bulgaria held on for a 1-2 win.


Video: Bosnia 1-2 Bulgaria (Highlights)

Bosnia's coach Miroslav Blazevic was understandably disappointed with his side when he said after the match that some of his players simply did not meet his expecatations.

The Golden Lilies face a tough qualifying section for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, as they are grouped together with the likes of Belgium, Turkey and European Champions, Spain, whom they will kick off their campaign against on the 6th of September.

Bulgaria meanwhile, will start their journey to South Africa against Montenegro on the same date and they will fancy their chances of qualifying in a very feasible group that also contains the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and defending world champions, Italy.

Bosnia: Goran Brasnic - Zlatan Muslimovic, Branimir Bajic (Mario Juric, 54, Darko Maletic, 86), Emir Spahic, Safet Nadarevic - Dzemal Berberovic, Senijad Ibricic (Said Huseinovic 73), Dario Damjanovic (Mario Bozic, 77), Branislav Krunic (Ivan Radeljic, 54) - Zvjezdan Misimovic, Miralem Pjanic

Bulgaria: Dimitar Ivankov (Stoyan Kolev, 56) - Alexander Tunchev (Valentin Iliev, 30), Lucio Wagner, Igor Tomasic (Ivan Ivanov, 66), Zahari Sirakov (Stanislav Manolev, 80) - Stanislav Angelov (Stanislav Genchev, 45) Stilian Petrov, Velizar Dimitrov, Martin Petrov - Dimitar Berbatov, Zdravko Lazarov (Dimitar Rangelov, 53)
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