GROUP EIGHT: Bulgaria 2 Cyprus 0:BULGARIA, WHO meet the Republic of Ireland in a crucial tie on June 6th, beat Cyprus 2-0 in Sofia yesterday to end their four-match winless run in Group Eight.
Striker Ivelin Popov fired home the opening goal after eight minutes when his header from Dimitar Rangelov’s left-wing cross gave Cyprus goalkeeper Antonis Giorgallidi no chance.
Bulgaria, again missing key players including captain Dimitar Berbatov, squandered several opportunities to extend their lead before substitute Dimitar Makriev sealed victory deep into stoppage time.
Cyprus’s best chance came in the 53rd minute when Elias Charalambous hit the post.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov. “It’s a very important win for our team as we boosted our chances to reach the finals.”
In yesterday’s other Group Eight game Georgia and Montenegro drew 0-0 in Tbilisi.
Montenegro had a second-half penalty claim dismissed during the game when Stevan Jovetic was booked for diving when he tumbled in the area under the challenge of Georgia’s Davit Odikadze in the 64th minute.
BULGARIA:Ivankov, Tomasic, Stoyanov, Manolev, Kishishev, Petrov, Popov (Todorov 74), Georgiev, Angelov, Telkiyski (Dimitrov 62), Rangelov (Makriev 90). Subs not used: Mihailov, Bojinov, Topuzakov, Yankov. Booked: Stoyanov, Manolev, Todorov.
CYPRUS:Georgallides, Christou, Elia, Garpozis, Aloneftis, Charalambidis, Satsias, Alexandrou (Avraam 65), Michael (Marangos 76), Konstantinou, Christofi (Yiasemakis 58). Subs not used: Avgousti, Constantinou, Okkarides, Panagi. Booked: Konstantinou, Christou.
Referee:Martin Ingvarsson (Sweden).
Attendance: 15,000
