The Bulgarian Under-18 national team recorded a loss (0:1) and a draw (1:1) against Macedonia U18 in two friendlies which were played in Skopje at “FFM” training center.
The games were part of the team`s preparation for the upcoming UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round. Bulgaria is in Group 8, alongside Denmark, Portugal and hosts Belarus.
The first game was played on 12th of April and finished 0:1.
Bulgaria first had a chance to open the scoring in the 12th minute, when Kovachev found Rusev, but his show went wide of Traychevski`s left post. Three minutes later Naumov demonstrated his class by saving Darko Dodevski`s shot. In the 26th minute Rusev once again had a chance to net the ball, but missed the target.Until the end of the first part Naumov again had to intervene after saving Sulejmani`s shot.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 64th minute through the captain Davor Zdravkovski who netted the ball from a penalty kick.
In the stoppage time Dobromir Bonev received a red card after committing a foul against the goalie Filip Traychevski.
Macedonia U18 - Bulgaria U18 0:1 (0:0)
Goalscorer: Davor Zdravkovski (64-p).
Macedonia U18: 1. Filip Traychevski, 2. Todor Todorovski, 3. Mihail Manevski, 4. Agon Hani, 5. Nehar Sadiki (Antonio Mitrev), 6. Esmin Lichina, 7. Daniel Milovanovic (Darko Dodevski), 8. Erdon Dazi (Kristian Atskovski), 9. Alban Sulejmani (Alexander Mishev), 10. Davor Zdravkovski – (C), 11. Darko Dodev (Shefit Shefiti)
Head Coach: Jeton Nesim
Bulgaria U18: 1. Daniel Naumov, 15. Petar Genchev (Kristiyan Slavov), 3. Vasil Dobrev, 18. Mariyan Dimitrov, 4. Angel Lyaskov, 10. Iliyan Stefanov (Georgi Chukalov), 6. Asen Chandarov (Dobromir Bonev), 8. Georgi Rusev, 11. Svetoslav Kovachev (Radoslav Dimitrov), 9. Tonislav Yordanov – (C) (Valentin Yoskov), 7. Asparuh Smilkov (Pavel Golovodov)
Head Coach: Svetoslav Todorov
Referee: Yovan Kachevski (Macedonia)
Images: Macedonian Football Federation
The second game was played two days later and ended 1:1. The “young lions” opened the scoring after 15 minutes of play. Iliya Stefanov headed the ball home after a corner kick. In the 35th minute the Macedonians could have leveled the game, but Naumov saved Sulejmani`s shot.
After all the hosts equalized in the 70th minute. Alban Sulejmani picked out the net with a free-kick and shaped the final outcome.
Macedonia U18 - Bulgaria U18 1:1 (0:1)
Goalscorers: 0:1 Iliyan Stefanov (14), 1:1 Alban Sulejmani (70)
Macedonia U18: 12. Riste Jankov, 13. Victor Stojkovski, 3. Mihail Manevski, 5. Nehar Sadiki, 6. Esmin Lichina, 15. Darko Dodevski, 10. Davor Zdravkovski, 7. Daniel Milovanovic, 16 Shefit Shefiti, 9. Alban Sulejmani, 19. Milan Ristevski
Head Coach: Jeton Nesimi
Bulgaria U18: 1. Daniel Naumov, 15. Petar Genchev, 3. Vasil Dobrev, 18. Mariyan Dimitrov, 4. Angel Lyaskov, 10. Iliyan Stefanov, 6. Asen Chandarov, 8. Georgi Rusev, 11. Svetoslav Kovachev, 9. Tonislav Yordanov, 13. Dobromir Bonev
Head Coach: Svetoslav Todorov
Referee: Dalibor Dzhordzheski (Macedonia)
Images: Macedonian Football Federation
Department "Public Relations and Media"
