The Bulgarian Under-18 national team took the top spot in Group "A" at the "Valentin Granatkin" International tournament which is held in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Viktorio Pavlov`s team achieved difficult, but sweet victory over Tajikistan with 1:0 in its second game of the competition.
The young "lions" once again demonstrated their spirit, will to win, motivation and devotion, despite the fact that they played with 10 men almost the entire second part after Borislav Vakadinov was sent off in the 55th minute.
First part
The game was equivalent. The first shot on target came in the 18th minute when Sheriddin Boboev tried to score from the penalty area, but Ivan Dichevski saved.
In the 43rd minute Bulgaria took the lead. Mitko Mitkov made a a run by the right side and found with a cross the unmarked Kiril Nikolov who netted the ball from close range for 1:0.
Second part
In the beginning of the second part Ilian Iliev, Aleksander Zlatkov and Ivan Mitrev came off the bench to replace Mitko Mitkov, Anton Tungarov and Martin Minchev respectively.
In the 55th minute Bulgaria were reduced to 10 men as Borislav Vakadinov was sent off after receiving two yellow and a red card respectively.
Even then, Viktorio Pavlov`s players could have doubled their lead in the 64th minute. After a fast attack Aleksander Zlatkov passed to the unmarked Ivan Mitrev, but the forward missed the target.
The goalie Ivan Dichevski also had to intervene a few times, as he saved Hamroqulov, Saidov and Fuzaylov `s shots.
Until the end the young "lions" managed to cope with the Tajikis pressure and won deservedly.
In the other match of the group Greece beat Estonia 4:0.
Thus, Bulgaria is leading the group with 4 points, followed by Tajikistan and Greece with 3 points. Estonia is in the last position with 1 point.
Bulgaria`s next opponent is Greece. The game will be played on Thursday, 12.01.2017, at 13:15 hrs. (Bulgarian time).
According to the regulations, the runner-ups and the winners of the groups will compete in the quarterfinals for the positions 1-8. The teams taking the 3rd and 4th positions in the group, will compete for the positions 9-16.
Yellow cards: Borislav Vakadinov (51, 55), Ilian Iliev, Ilia Gruev, Ivan Dichevski, Ivan Mitrev (Bulgaria); Saidov Karomatullo, Khuseyn Nurmatov, Umarjon Sharipov (Tajikistan)
Red cards: Borislav Vakadinov (two yellow cards - 51, 55)
Bulgaria U18: 1. Ivan Dichevski, 5. Aleksander Bastunov - C., 6. Ivan Kaydzhiyski, 4. Georgi Kostov (Denis Buchev, 30), 3. Borislav Vakadinov, 20. Erol Dost, 8. Ilia Gruev, 11 Mitko Mitkov (Ilian Iliev, 46 - Martin Semerdzhiev, 88), 19. Kiril Nikolov, 22. Anton Tungarov (Alexander Zlatkov, 46), 18. Martin Minchev (Ivan Mitrev, 46 - Martin Kovachev, 90 +1)
Coach: Viktorio Pavlov
Tajikistan U18: 1. Daler Azizov, 3. Vahdat Hanonov, 19. Huvaydo Maliev, 2. Khuseyn Nurmatov (Manucher Safarov, 46), 17. Ehsoni Panshanbe, 20. Ziiovuddin Fuzaylov, 7. Karomatullo Saidov. 9. Umarjon Sharipov (Saidmukhtor Azimov, 85), 18. Daler Yodgorov, 10. Sheriddin Boboev (Shahrom Samiev, 46), 11. Nuriddin Hamroqulov
Coach: Vitalii Levchenko
Referee: Dmitrii Smirnov
You can watch full recording of the match here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1T2Fw45EBg
Image: http://www.granatkin.com/ru/
Department "Public Relations and Media"
