The Bulgarian under-17 national team lost its first match against Slovenia with 1:4 in Group C of the “Granatkin Memorial” international football tournament which is held in Saint Petersburg (Russia). The Bulgarians who are a year younger than their opponents created several scoring opportunities, but the lack of luck and the good performance of the Slovenian goalkeeper Rok Vodisek prevented them from scoring more goals.
First Half
The tempo was very high in the opening minutes and the two teams had equivalent ball possession at the Saint Petersburg sports and concert complex. In the 5th minute the Slovenians broke the deadlock. Kristjan Sredojevic made a fine run by the left side and crossed in to the penalty area where Rok Buzinel was at the right place to score from close range.
Leading 1:0, the Slovenians tried to keep the ball and to control the game tempo, but the Bulgarian players defended really well in front of the goal and managed to keep the ball out of their net.
In the 18th minute after a multipass combination, Krastev crossed in to the penalty area where Zlatkov headed the ball to Ivanov who was brought down by a defender to win a penalty. Ivanov netted from the spot and made it 1:1.
Unfortunately, Florijan Debenjak`s players retook the lead a minute later as Sandi Coralic crossed from the left side to Rok Buzinel who made it 2:1 from five meters.
Four minutes later Stanislav Ivanov could have made it 2:2 after a solo run by the left side, but Vodisek saved his shot.
In the 26th minute the Slovenians doubled their lead. One of the best players on the pitch Kristjan Sredojevic scored a screamer from outside the area.
At the end of the first half the Bulgarians created their best goalscoring opportunity. Stanislav Ivanov found the unmarked Kaloyan Krastev who hit the bar from close range.
Second Half
In the second half five players came off the bench for Bulgaria. Borislav Vakadinov, Ivan Mitrev, Iliya Yurukov, Angel Angelov and Andrea Hristov took the places of Aleksander Bastunov, Ivan Tilev, Aleksander Zlatkov, Kaloyan Krastev and Petko Hristov.
The Bulgarians were highly motivated to turn the tide in their favour. They increased the tempo of play and tried to pressure their opponents, but didn`t manage to score.
Instead they conceded another goal. After a combination between Luka Kambic and Marcel Kene, the last one netted the ball from long range after a mistake by the goalie.
Yellow cards: Aleksander Zlatkov (Bulgaria); Sandi Coralic, David Brekalo, David Dedic
In the other match of our group, Azerbaijan and Latvia finished 1:1.
Thus, after the end of the first matches, Slovenia is leading the group with 3 points, followed by Azerbaijan and Latvia with 1 point. Bulgaria is in the last position with 0 points.
Bulgaria`s next game is against Azerbaijan on 6th of January, Wednesday, at 15:30 hrs at Saint Petersburg sports and concert complex. In the other match of the group Latvia confronts Slovenia at 13:15 also at Saint Petersburg sports and concert complex.
Bulgaria U17: 1. Dimitar Sheytanov – C., 5. Aleksander Bastunov (46 min. - Borislav Vakadinov), 15. Petko Hristov (78 min. - Andrea Hristov), 19. Valentin Antov, 20. Kiril Nikolov, 7. Aleksander Zlatkov, (61 min. - Iliya Yurukov), 8. Dimitar Kostadinov, 10. Nikolay Yankov, 11. Ivan Tilev (46 min. - Ivan Mitrev), 9. Stanislav Ivanov, 13. Kaloyan Krastev, (75 min. - Angel Angelov)
Head coach: Viktorio Pavlov
Slovenia: 1. Rok Vodicek, 2. Sandi Coralic, 3. Matija Rom, 4. Sven Karic Sostaric, 5. Janez Pisek – C., 7. Dejan Petrovic, 10. Jakob Novak, 18. Rok Buzinel, 20. Sandi Ogrinec, 9. Kevin Zizek, 17. Kristijan Sredojevic.
Head coach: Florijan Debenjak
Rederee: Evgenii Galimov
Assistant referees: Dmitry Ermakov, Alexander Zakharov
Fourth official: Ivan Abrosimov
You can watch the full match record here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYWfqCDnRiQ
Department "Public Relations and Media"
