Sunday 08 Sep 2024

Northern Ireland lose narrowly to Bulgaria in UNL

Northern Ireland slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Bulgaria in game two of their latest UEFA Nations League campaign.

In sultry conditions on a lumpy pitch at Stadion Hristo Botev in Plovdiv tonight they were left frustrated after Bulgaria scored in the 40^th minute and defended strongly from then on to claim all three points in the UNL League C Group 3 clash.

A physically strong and rugged Bulgaria bossed the first half, hitting the woodwork twice, while Northern Ireland had plenty of the ball in the second half, although they could not fashion a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The home side, who drew with Belarus away in their opening C3 game, started on the front foot and they almost opened the scoring in the fourth minute.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell superbly clawed out a header from midfielder Georgi Kostadinov at the near post. The loose ball fell to striker Aleksandar Kolev and his pass back across goal was touched by the Northern Ireland keeper as he lay on the ground. Ciaron Brown then cleared the ball off the line and it cannoned off Bulgaria defender Alex Petkov and hit the post before the keeper gathered the ball in.

Northern Ireland’s first chance came shortly after. Isaac Price found space just outside the area, however he shot straight at Bulgaria keeper Dimitar Mitov.

The visitors’ defence had to be on their toes to repel a couple of rapid attacks by the Bulgarians.

Then Bulgaria captain Kiril Despodov ran at the Northern Ireland defence and fired a shot past the upright, while a Conor Bradley shot was gathered in by Mitov at the other end.

Despodov was unlucky to see his curling free-kick slam off the post as Bulgaria continued to press.

Another swift counter attack put Kolev clear inside the area. His weak shot was comfortably saved by Peacock-Farrell.

Price found space once again on 38 minutes, however his effort drifted wide of the target.

Bulgaria took the lead two minutes later. Peacock-Farrell’s clearance towards Daniel Ballard fell short and Kolev nipped in to slip the ball to the back post where captain Despodov tucked it away from four yards.

Northern Ireland tried to respond before the break. A Shea Charles cross caused panic in the Bulgarian defence before Ballard headed a Bradley free-kick over the top.

Michael O’Neill’s side upped the tempo in the second half. Jamal Lewis jinked his way into a crossing position down the left, although he overhit his delivery, and Dion Charles had an effort blocked.

Bulgaria, with a much older age profile than Northern Ireland’s line-up, tried to knock the visitors out of their rhythm as much as possible.

Substitute Shayne Lavery unleashed a powerful shot which stung the palms of Mitov, although he was flagged for being offside in the build-up.

The game was particularly scrappy in the closing stages. Lavery had a half-chance and Bulgarian substitute Zdravko Dimitrov missed the target.

Right at the death Shea Charles whipped a corner into the danger zone towards Ballard. He rose well but his header sailed wide.

And that was the last meaningful action on what was a frustrating night for the boys in green and white.

Northern Ireland, who enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over Luxembourg in their C3 opener on Thursday, have now slipped to third place in the group behind Bulgaria and Belarus, who defeated Luxembourg 1-0 at Stade de Luxembourg in the other game in the group earlier today.

Next up for Northern Ireland are games away to Belarus and home to Bulgaria next month.

Bulgaria: Dimitar Mitov, Viktor Popov, Fabian Nuernberger, Zhivko Atanasov, Alex Petkov, Radoslav Kirilov, Georgi Kostadinov, Ilia Gruev, Aleksandar Kolev, Kiril Despodov (captain), Martin Minchev.

Substitutes: (used) Ahmed Ahmedov, Zdravko Dimitrov, Vasil Panayotov, Stanislav Ivanov, Simeon Petrov; (unused) Svetoslav Vutsov (GK), Ivan Dyulgerov (GK), Ertan Tombak, Valentin Antov, Georgi Minchev, Ivan Minchev, Georgi Rusev.

Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Trai Hume (captain), Ciaron Brown, Daniel Ballard, Paddy McNair, Jamal Lewis, Shea Charles, George Saville, Dion Charles, Conor Bradley, Isaac Price.

Substitutes: (used) Shayne Lavery, Paul Smyth, Callum Marshall, Ross McCausland, Ali McCann: (unused) Luke Southwood (GK), Josh Clarke (GK), Corry Evans, Brad Lyons, Eoin Toal, Ethan Galbraith, Josh Magennis.