BULGARIA-Belgium-2:2 Report

[INTER FAN/BG/]

BULGARIA BELGIUM- 2-2
52'Berbatov
71'Todorov (pen)
31'Stilian Petrov (o.g.)
56'Clement




Qualifying round - 7 June 2003 19:15
Vassil Levski - Sofia



End 2nd half
90'+3' The final whistle sounds and the game ends 2-2, meaning Bulgaria remain top of Group 8. Belgium slip to fourth following Estonia's 2-0 win against Andorra and will be disappointed not to have taken all three points here, having led twice, but Bulgaria created the better chances throughout and were well worth their draw.
90'+3' Mbo Mpenza has a hafl-chance inside the penalty area, but he slips as he tries to reach a through-ball and Bulgaria can clear.
90'+2' Belgium are simply keeping the ball now, and seem content to play out time.
90'+1' The ball breaks to Baseggio on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot is high and wide.
90'+1' There will be three miutes of added time.
90' Belgium look to be satisfied with a point here as we move into the final minute of normal time.
89' Martin Petrov bursts forward on to a chip[ over the top of the Belgium defence, but his is a metre offside.
88' Bulgaria are pressing forward now, and Belgium are under pressure and struggling to get the ball away at the moment.
87' At the other end, Bulgaria come close, as Alexandrov's low volley is blocked and Belgium are able to scramble the ball away.
86' Emile Mpenza comes close to what would surely be a winning goal, as he breaks on to a long ball and heads away from Stoianov, but his shot is over the crossbar.
85' De Vlieger is quickly off his line to punch a cross clear under heavy pressure.
84' Goor does well for Belgium down the left, but in fact the ball has just drifted out of play and Bulgaria have a throw-in.
83' A bouncing ball almost breaks for Emile Mpenza inside the Bulgaria penalty area, but Zdravkov is quickly off his line to claim.
82' Belgium look the more likely scorers at the moment, and are still pressing upfield.
81' Mbo Mpenza goes down inside the penalty area, but the referee only points for a corner.
80' Bulgaria make their third and final change, as Dimitrov goes off and Alexandar Alexandrov comes on in his place.
80' Alexandrov (in) - Dimitrov (out)(Bulgaria)
79' Belgium are coming forward more now, although both teams look very tired.
78' Both sides are clearly going for the win, and there could yet be more goals here.
77' That was a great chance for the home side, but Manchev was unable to keep his head in front of goal.
76' Bulgaria are on top at the moment, and have a great chance to take the lead for the first time in the match as a long ball forward finds Manchev, but the substitute can only shoot over with just De Vlieger to beat.
75' Emile Mpenza comes on for the final 15 minutes in place of Sonck, who looks absolutely exhaused as he leaves the field.
74' Emile Mpenza (in) - Sonck (out)(Belgium)
74' That second equaliser could well be the spur Bulgaria need to press on for victory.
73' Both sides could well go on and win this game here, although the two sets of players are clearly tiring.
72' 2-2. Todorov makes no mistake from the spot, as his low kick to the bottom right-hand corner sends De Vlieger the wrong way. We are in for an intriguing final 20 minutes now.
71' Todorov(Bulgaria)
71' Penalty to Bulgaria. The ball breaks to Borimirov inside the area and, as he tries to go past Baseggio, he is brought down by the Belgium midfield player.
70' Bulgaria have pressed Belgium back in defence at the moment, but are struggling to create chances.
69' Martin Petrov breaks forward in space, but there is non one there to meet his cross.
68' The home fans are still making a lot of noise, but their team are struggling to give them anything to cheer at the moment.
67' Stilian Petrov and Hristov almost combine well on the edge of the penalty area, but Hrisotv's clever flicked pass is cut out.
66' Mbo Mpenza's powerful downward header from the edge of the penalty area causes temporary panic in the Bulgaria defence, but eventually they are able to scramble the ball away.
65' Stoianov becomes the latest player cautioned, as he is shown the yellow card for a late tackle.
65' Stoianov(Bulgaria)
64' Some of the direction seems to have gone out of Bulgaria's play, and Belgium are keeping the ball well.
63' The game has just lost its way in the last few minutes here, with both sides freely conceding possession.
62' Dimitrov comes forward down the right and finds Martin Petrov, who in turn feeds the ball through to Todorov, but the striker slips as he reaches for the ball and the chance is gone.
61' Hristov wins the ball back in midfield, but is penalised for a foul.
60' Dimitrov breaks down the Bulgarian right but he is forced to stretch for the ball and his low cross lacks power.
59' Belgium are working hard all over the pitch, and seem determined not to allow their lead to slip for a second time.
58' Bulgaria are pressing forward once again, but Belgium look solid and well-organaised at the moment, and it will be hard to break them down for a second time.
57' That was a poor goal to concede from Bulgaria's point of view and, having worked so hard to get back on level terms, they now have it all to do again.
56' 1-2. Belgium are back in front, as Baseggio's free-kick picks out Clement totally unmarked inside the penalty area, and the midfield player gives Zdravkov no chance with an emphaitc header.
56' Clement(Belgium)
56' That goal should give the home team just the boost they need, and is certainly thoroughly deserved.
54' That goal turns out to be Berbatov's last contribution of the match, as he is immediately withdrawn to be replaced by Svetoslav Todorov.
54' Todorov (in) - Berbatov (out)(Bulgaria)
53' 1-1. Bulgaira deservedly draw level, as Stilian Petrov's deep cross picks out Berbatov at the far post, and the striker thumps his header beyond De Vlieger and into the roof of the net.
52' Berbatov(Bulgaria)
51' Bulgaria do not yet seem to have found their rhythym in the second period, as Belgium win a free-kick in a potentially dangerous position.
50' Dimitrov's corner is a poor one, and the ball is volleyed away at the near post.
49' Tha ball almost breaks for Borimirov inside the penalty area, but Dheedene is alert to kick the ball against the Bulgarian player and Belgium win a goal kick.
48' The home supporters are in fine voice here, urging their side forwards.
47' A win here would revive Belgium's chances of claiming automatic qualification, although there is still a long way to go in this match.
46' Hristovhas stayed down following a heavy challenge, and is clearly in some pain.
46' Belgium get the second hald under way, and will be looking to preserve their narrow lead here.
Start 2nd half
Half-time and Belgium lead 1-0. The home side have been the better side throughout, creating a number of goalscoring opportunities, but Belgium have occasionally looked threatening on the break, and have a one-goal lead, given to then by a fortuitous deflection off Stilian Petrov after 31 minutes. Bulgaria, however, will be confident of getting back into the match in the second 45 minutes.
End 1st half
45'+2' There is no time for Deflandre to take the free-kick, as the referee's whistle signals the end of the first half.
45'+1' Petkov brings down Mbo Mpenza and belgium have a free-kick.
45'+1' We are in to first-half stoppage time now, of which there will be one minute.
45' Sonck tries to get on the end of a perceptive through-pass, but his run is checked by the offside flag.
44' Stilian Petrov's free-kick is met by Berbatov, but his header is straight at De Vlieger, who saves comfortably.
43' Clement becomes the first player cautioned here tonight, as he chekced Martin Petrov as Bulgaria broke quickly.
43' Clement(Belgium)
42' Belgium have definitely gorwn in confidence since the goal and are coming forward again here, but a timely intervention from Kirilov halts their progress.
41' Sonck has stayed down following a strong tackle and looks like he will need treatment. The referee, Pierluigi Collina, stops play, breaking up a promising Belgian break in the process.
40' Despite falling behind, Bulgaira are still the better side here, and are pressing Belgium back inside their own half once again.
39' Bulgaria really do not deserve to be behind here, but as yet have been unable to find a way through their opponents' defence despite creating endless goalscoring opportunities.
38' Bulgaira come so lose to finding the net again, as Martin Petrov's corner is met by a towering header from Berbatov, but Mbo Mpenza is on the post and heads the ball away.
37' This is end to end stuff now, as Zdravkov has to be alert to kick clear, and Bulgaria launch another counterattack.
36' Bulgaria put together a good passing move and Dimitrov picks up the ball in midfield, but his low 30-metre shot is comfortably saved by De Vlieger.
35' Belgium come forward again, and win a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, but this time Bulgaira can clear.
34' Bulgaria almost respond immediately, as Martin Petrov lays the ball back to Berbatov in front of goal, but he cannot control it and the ball drops behind.
33' That goal is a massive blow to the home side, who have largely been on top throughout but have so far been unable to find the target.
32' The away side take the lead against the run of play. Deflandre does well down the right to work space for the cross, and his ball into the penalty area is diverted beyond a wrong-footed Zdravkov by Stilian Petrov to give Belgium a precious lead.
31' Stilian Petrov(Bulgaria)
30' Neither side has yet found their composure in front of goal, but surely this game will not be scoreless for much longer.
29' Bulgaria break forward immediately, and Martin Petrov comes down the left opnly to see his low cross run right across the face of goal and behind.
29' Mbo Mpenza flicks a long throw on into the Bulgaria goalmouth, but Kirilov is on hand to clear.
28' Bulgaria have carved out a number of fine chances so far, and must surely convert one sooner or later.
27' Bulgaria hit the post again, as the ball is swung into the Belgium penalty area and Hristov's glancing header beats De Vlieger but hits the right-hand post this time and spins harmlessly behind.
26' Ilian Stoianov does well down the left, and wins a corner, which Martin Petrov will take.
25' Both sides have had clear chances to break the deadlock here, but as we approach the half-hour, the scoresheet is still blank.
24' This is an open, entertaining game, with both sides pushing forward at every opportunity.
23' Straight down the other end and Dimitar Berbatov comes close to p[utting the home side in front, as he glances Martin Petrov's cross towards goal only to see his header strike the post on its way behind. So close for Bulgaria.
22' Buffel had a wonderful opportunity there, but it would have been hard on Bulgaria to fall behind at this stage.
21' Thomas Buffel misses a great chance to give the away side the lead against the run of play. Goor does well to win back possession in midfield and breaks down the left before finding Buffel in time and space inside the penalty area, but the striker, at full stretch, can only divert his effort just wide of Zdravkov's left-hand post.
20' Eric Deflandre concedes a free-kick for a push on Martin Petrov midway inside the Bulgarian half.
19' Hristov goes down under pressure from Clement but the referee waves away his appeals for a free-kick and Belgium have a goal kick.
18' Sonck bursts into the penalty area and thinks he has won a corner, but he is penalised for a foul and Zdravkov takes another free-kick from inside his penalty area.
17' Mbo Mpenza picks the ball up in midfield and wins a free-kick from Petkov as he holds off the defender.
16' The home side have created four clear sights of goal in the first 15 minutes here, but have not been able to convert any of their chances as yet.
15' Another great chance for the home side. De Vlieger only manages to palm away a cross, but the Belgian goalkeeper reacts quickly to block at the feet of Hristov as the Bulgarian midfield player shoots.
14' De Vlieger needlessly concedes a corner, but Belgium are eventually able to scramble the ball away.
13' Mbo Mpenza is penalised for a foul on Petkov as he tries to get on the end of a defence-splitting pass.
12' Belgium have kept the ball for virtually the last five minutes here, and Bulgaria are finding it hard to get a touch, as Philippe Clement wins a free-kick in midfield as he is brought down by Hristov.
11' A first scare for Bulgaria, as Zdravkov come racing off his line to try to claim a long ball forward but Milen Petkov gets there first and lifts the ball over his own goalkeeper, but fortunately for him it drops on the top of the net. Belgium have a corner.
10' Bulgaria have definitely begun the better here, urged on by a passionate and vociferous home crowd.
9' Belgium come forward now, as a ball into the penalty area nearly picks out Wesley Sonck, but the striker is penalised for a foul.
8' Martin Stankov comes forward and, with time and space down the right, picks out Martin Petrov with a deep cross to the far post. He volleys the ball back to Marian Hristov, but his headed effort drifts narroly wide with Geert De Vlieger a helpless specatator.
7' Belgium try to relieve the early pressure as Bart Goor sends a long pass forward, but the ball drifts harmlessly behind and Zdravko Zdravkov can take the goal kick as Bulgaria look to build from the back once again.
6' That was a great chance for the home side, and Kirilov really ought to have hit the target there.
5' The free-kick is whipped into the Belgian goalmouth at pace and is met by Rosen Kirilov, who reaches the ball ahead of his marker, but he can only direct his header harmlessly over the crossbar.
4' The home side are on top in the early stages here, and win a free-kick in a dangerous position.
3' Daniel Borimirov breaks forward on to a throw-in inside the penalty area, but his low shot from an angle is blocked by Geert De Vlieger.
2' Martin Petrov breask down the Bulgarian right, and does well to win a corner.
1' Stilian Petrov picks the ball up in midfield, but his attempted pass is cut out by Mbo Mpenza, who breaks forward but his shot from the edge of the area goes wide.
1' Bulgaria kick off, with both sides looking for a crucial win here.
Start 1st half
Belgium coach Aimé Anthuenis has injury worries surrounding Nico Van Kerckhoven and Gaetan Englebert, but Philippe Clement and Didier Dheedene both return having missed the recent friendly against Poland. Belgium have started their qualifying campaign slowly, following the Bulgaria defeat with narrow 1-0 wins against Andorra and Estonia before losing heavily to Croatia in their last competitive match, going down 4-0 in Zagreb.
The leaders have a number of personnel problems ahead of the game, with coach Plamen Markov forced to do without six regulars. Georgi Chilikov, Milen Petkov and Gueorgui Peev are all missing through injury, while Predrag Pazin and Zoran Jankovic are suspended and Radostin Kishishev quit the team two weeks ago, reportedly at Markov's decision to make Stilian Petrov captain following Krassimir Balakov's retirement.
Bulgaria are currently top of the table with ten points from four games, three ahead of Croatia with Belgium a further point behind. The leaders began with a 2-0 win away to today's opponents last September, and will be looking for a repeat performance here.