Berbatov Influential Figure as Bulgaria Do Enough to Remain in the Hunt

Dimitar Berbatov (R) of Bulgaria celebrates scoring against Montenegro with team mate Sanislav Manolev during the Bulgaria vs Montenegro World Cup 2010 qualification match in Sofia, Bulgaria 05 September 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The Irish Times

Bulgaria's home win over Montenegro on Saturday night keeps them in with an outside chance of troubling Italy and the Republic of Ireland at the top of Group Eight.

They had to come from a goal down, however, after Steven Jovetic had put Montenegro in front in the ninth minute.

It stayed 1-0 until Radostin Kishishev equalised on the stroke of half-time - and although Dimitar Telkiyski put Bulgaria in front four minutes after the break, it was only an 85th-minute Dimitar Berbatov penalty and an injury-time goal from Valeri Domovchiyski which made the scoreline appear so comfortable.

Montenegro dominated proceedings in the first half.

Jovetic was a pivotal figure and the man behind numerous dangerous attacks. It was appropriate then that he should open the scoring with an unstoppable 30-yard shot.

Montenegro remained in control until Bulgaria captain Berbatov won a ball at the edge of the penalty area and laid it off to Kishishev, whose low shot from just outside the area was on target to level the score.

Berbatov was the scourge of the visitors and he received a pass from Martin Petrov and threaded the ball through the visitors' defence for substitute Telkiyski to score from close range.

Montenegro were rattled and unable to find a response.

But the outcome remained in doubt until another Berbatov run ended in a foul by Ivan Fatic and then a successful spot-kick by the Manchester United striker.

Montenegro goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic needed to be at his best in the final minutes to keep the score respectable, making two outstanding saves only to end up conceding again.

Berbatov then turned provider again, surging through the middle of the defence and setting up Domovchiyski for the final goal.

"We deserved to win," said Berbatov after ending a one-year international goal drought to claim his 42nd in total for his country.

"Now we're going to Italy (on Wednesday) and I hope we can collect another three points."

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