The Bulgarian under-17 national team qualified for the Elite round after a draw 0:0 against FYR Macedonia in the last match in Group 12 of the UERO 2016 Qualifying round. The game was played at “Lazur” stadium in Burgas.
In the other match, Italy and Scotland also made a draw 1:1 but it was enough for the Italians to finish in top in Group 12 with 5 points.
Bulgaria and Scotland have 4 points but the goalless result ensured that the Bulgarians will finish in second place because of the win against the Scottish with 2:0 at “Lazur” stadium on Friday 23rd.
Scotland still has a chance to qualify as one of the five best third-placed teams but will have to wait for the final results in all the groups.
The team of Macedonia ends in fourth place with 2 points.
The match was very tense because of the importance of the game a ticket for the next phase. However the Bulgarian players kept their nerves very well and deservedly will compete with the Europe`s elite in the next phase of the qualifications, after once again they demonstrated character, will to win and devotion, although they played with 10 men for more than 20 minutes.
During the first half the game was equivalent and the play was focused mainly in midfield. The Bulgarian players tried to score with long shots, but firstly Tilev`s shot was blocked and shortly thereafter Bastunov`s shot went high.
Vujadin Stanoykovich`s players also tried to threaten Bulgaria`s goal at the end of the first half, but Marco Alexander Ferukoski was not accurate from 11 meters, and in the second situation Sheytanov saved Jani Atanasov`s shot.
In the second half the tactical battle continued. The guests from Macedonia imposed pressure but without result. Viktorio Pavlov`s players defended well and used every good opportunity to attack.
Dimitar Kostadinov, Ivan Tilev and Stanislav Ivanov came close to scoring but missed the target.
Just over two minutes between the 59th and 61st, Petko Hristov received two yellow cards and Bulgaria remained with a man less on the pitch. Despite their man advantage, Macedonia couldn't score because Bulgaria`s goalkeeper Sheytanov was brilliant and he kept his net dry for a second consecutive game.
Yellow cards: Dimitar Kostadinov, Kiril Nikolov, Petko Hristov (2) (Bulgaria), Boban Zdravevski, Hristijan Delevski, Hristijan Stevkovski, Kiril Ristovski, Dimitar Mitrovski (Macedonia)
Red cards: Petko Hristov (two yellow cards)
BULGARIA: 1. Dimitar Sheytanov - C., 4. Georgi Kostov, 5. Alexander Bastunov, 8. Ivan Tilev (60 min. - Vladislav Zhikov), 9. Stanislav Ivanov, 14. Dimitar Kostadinov, 15 Petko Hristov, 16. Dimitar Iliev, 18. Toni Ivanov (41 min. - Ivan Mitrev), 19. Valentin Antov, 20. Kiril Nikolov (71 min. - Kaloyan Krastev)
Head coach: Viktorio Pavlov
Macedonia: 1. Hristijan Stevkovski, 3. Mihail Manevski, 5. Andrej Kirovski - C., 6. Antonio Mitrev, 8. Jani Atanasov, 9. Boban Zdravevski (70 min. - Filip Stojchevski), 10. Dimitar Mitrovski, 11. Kristijan Trapanovski, 13. Kiril Ristovski, 15. Hristijan Delevski, 16. Marco Aleksandar Ferukoski
Head coach: Vujadin Stanojkovikj
Referee: Roomer Tarajev (EST)
Assistant referees: Sten Klaasen (EST), Stephane De Almeida (SUI)
Fourth Official: Sascha Amhof (SUI)
Stadium: “Lazur”, city Burgas
Department "Public Relations and Media"
