Berbatov bemoans poor performance

WORLD CUP GROUP EIGHT: Georgia 0 Bulgaria 0 : GOALKEEPER GEORGI Petkov produced a string of fine saves to help Bulgaria secure a draw with Georgia in their World Cup qualifier in Tbilisi last night.

The home team dominated the first half but failed to capitalise as Giorgi Shashiashvili, Levan Kobiashvili and substitute David Siradze missed good opportunities.

Georgia's Argentine coach Hector Cuper had to bring on Siradze for the injured Levan Mchedlidze 13 minutes before the interval. Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov was forced to make a first-half substitution when Manchester City winger Martin Petrov limped off with a knee injury.

The visitors came close when captain Dimitar Berbatov headed wide from close range after a cross by Chavdar Yankov. Georgia continued to press forward after the break but Beka Gotsiridze's powerful drive was tipped over the bar by Petkov, who then did well to parry Giorgi Merebashvili's drive.

The hosts were left to rue their bad luck when Siradze hit the post with five minutes remaining. Bulgaria, who notched their third consecutive draw, forced a good save from Giorgi Lomaia in the 68th minute after Stanislav Angelov had picked out Stilian Petrov.

"We were extremely poor, particularly in the first half," Berbatov told Bulgarian state TV. "We were totally outplayed."

GEORGIA: Lomaia; Lobjanidze, Salukvadze, Kvakhadze, Shashiashvili; Mentesahshvili, Kobiashvili, Razmadze, Gotsiridze (Odikadze, mins 84); Iashvili (Merebashvili, 71 mins), Mchedlidze (Siradze, 32 mins).

BULGARIA: Petkov; Milanov, Tunchev, Iliev, Ivanov; S Petrov, Yankov (Angelov, 56 mins), Georgiev, Dimitrov (Rangelov, 73 mins), M Petrov (Popov, 30 mins); Berbatov.

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times