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| April 26th 2005 |
Stockholm, Rċsunda Stadion
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| BULGARIA - SCOTLAND |
2-2 (2-0)
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GOALS 22' 1-0 Dimitar Jakimov
34' 2-0 Nasko Sirakov
57' 2-1 Denis Law
63' 2-2 Hugh Gallacher
REFEREE Georges Capdeville (France)
ATTENDANCE 38,000
YELLOW CARDS Gaganelov, Sirakov (BUL) - Law (SCO)
BULGARIA (Coach: Dimitar Penev, system 4-4-2)
1 Borislav Mikhailov
19 Ivan Zafirov
15 Georgi Dimitrov
5 Ivan Dimitrov
3 Boris Gaganelov
10 Hristo Bonev (captain)
4 Nasko Sirakov
13 Dimitar Jakimov
12 Krassimir Balakov (-82)
9 Georgi Asparukhov
11 Ivan Kolev (-70)
Substitutes:
14 Petar Jekov (+70)
20 Todor Diev (+82)
SCOTLAND (Coach: Jock Stein, system 4-3-3)
1 John Thomson
2 Danny McGrain (-69)
5 Gordon McQueen
6 George Young (captain)
3 Eric Caldow
15 Alex James
16 Greame Souness
10 Jim Baxter (-46)
9 Denis Law
8 Hugh Gallacher
11 Alan Morton (-85)
Substitutes:
7 Kenny Dalglish (+46)
19 Sandy Jardine (+69)
13 Alec Jackson (+85)
MATCHREPORT
In this very complicated group B Scotland knew that a win against Bulgaria
would take them to the second stage of the competition for the first time in
World Cup history. Bulgaria, to be sure, also needed a win but by a margin
of at least three goals. In Stockholm it would be a great, entertaining and
emotional game with in the end a predictable outcome. Unfortunately for the
Scots.
Defensive midfielder Bremner sat out his suspension and Jim Baxter got his
place back in the Scottish line-up. Stein changed nothing in defence, again
gave his confidence to James and Souness and up front chose Gallacher as
centre forward, moving Law, scorer of two goals already, to the right.
Dalglish again was left on the bench. More problems for the Bulgarian coach
Dimitar Penev. Being a player coach, he couldn't play himself, out of the
tournament with a severe hamstring injury. Georgi Dimitrov now played as a
centre back and instead of suspended Trifon Ivanov the other Dimitrov, Ivan,
was brought in. But the biggest loss was Hristo Stoichkov, after his
stupendous red card against Yugoslavia. Coach Penev opted for a two-men
attack and this time had Nasko Sirakov as midfielder in the starting XI.
Another player injured was full back Schalamanov, in his place Ivan Zafirov
came into the team.
Scotland started the match in a very attacking mood. Bulgaria were
dumbfounded in the beginning and had difficulties staying on their feet.
Alex James was the outstanding performer in those early minutes and he
offered both Law and Gallacher a fine chance to score. Both missed
Mikhailov's goal only just. Bulgaria tried to find their game by keeping the
ball in the team. Bonev took his team by the hand but he faced tough
opposition from Greame Souness who wouldn't leave the Bulgarian captain a
single second to play his favourite game. Jakimov couldn't follow James and
Sirakov had to play his heart out to help his teammates out.
Totally against the run of play, Bulgaria took the lead after 22 minutes. It
was the first time they approached Thomson's goal seriously. Ivan Kolev
released a beautiful pass that reached Asparukhov. The striker who hadn't
shown too much during the tournament, dropped the ball to Jakimov who this
time was the better of James. The elegant midfielder painted a fine
curveball that went in out of reach for Thomson: 1-0 to Bulgaria. Bulgaria
were in the driving seat. Scotland were demoralised and suddenly Bonev and
Jakimov took over the command over the game. In the Scottish minds the idea
settled that this could be another huge disappointment, like they had
suffered so often.
And when Bulgaria doubled the lead after 34 minutes, it seemed to be all
over for the Tartan Army. Bonev crossed the ball from the right and Sirakov,
just like Penev had intended, arrived exactly in the right moment to head it
behind a stranded Thomson. A first half like a dream for Bulgaria, with this
score they were almost sure of qualifying which would be a huge surprise.
Scotland had to score twice and keep Bulgaria from further success to have
at least a chance.
In the second half Scotland shook off all their frustrations and put
Bulgaria under heavy pressure. And with success. Coach Stein had replaced
Baxter by Dalglish. This way Denis Law moved back to the centre of attack,
forming a partnership with Gallacher. It was a move that paid off after 57
minutes. It came from a corner. Gordon McQueen headed towards goal, Ivan
Dimitrov saved it on the line but it landed exactly before Law's feet. The
topscorer finished it off: 2-1. Third match, third goal for Law. And the
equalizer wasn't to be far away. Dalglish broke through on the right, showed
his heals to Gaganelov and released a low cross. Gallacher was there out of
the blue, earlier than his marker Georgi Dimitrov and Mikhailov was beaten
again: 2-2. For both teams insufficient maybe, but the momentum was on the
Scottish side and both teams had everything to play for.
Dimitar Penev on the Bulgarian bench thought fresh blood could do his team
good and substituted tiring Ivan Kolev with Petar Jekov, a striker even more
goaldirected. But chances wouldn't come. Both Scotland and Bulgaria had
given a lot, it had been a match against 100 miles/hour and the technique
now suffered from the speed of the game. One last chance for Scotland, Law
picked the ball from Georgi Dimitrov and played it to Alec Jackson. The
Wembley Wizard, who came in minutes from time for Alan Morton, blasted it
towards the far corner but Mikhailov came up with the save of the day.
This exciting match ended 2-2. Bulgaria knew they were out of the
tournament, 2 points from 3 matches were not enough. The thoughts went back
to that disastreous moment when Hristo Stoichkov couldn't keep his emotions
under control when Bulgaria led Yugoslavia 1-0 in München. What would have happened
had Bulgaria been able to carry on with 11 men? Scotland's chances now
depended on the result from the match played at the same time in Rome,
between Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. Only a Yugoslavian win would hand the
Scots a place in the second round. History repeated itself and after the
stalemate in Rome Scotland were out of the All Time World Cup. Their bad
start had left them with a mountain to climb and although they nearly made
it, Scotland again ended up one goal short. Like always.
Next Friday group D comes to a decision. Hungary and Romania are both on 3
points and face each other in Madrid. Hungary need a point to qualify, they
have the far better goal difference, but their spirit is not like playing
for a draw. Hungary's front line have impressed very much so far and it
remains to be seen what Romania can do against it. Italy have qualified for
the second round but are not sure of first place yet. They meet Paraguay in
Santiago. Paraguay are without points and are out of the tournament, they
play for their pride. A point earns Italy first place.
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