Bulgaria Prays for Win in Matthaeus First Challenge as Coach

Bulgarian national soccer coach Lothar Matthaeus (C) speaks with his players during a training session of the Bulgarian national soccer team in the town of Pravec, Bulgaria on 04 October 2010. Bulgaria will meet Wales team on 8 Oct. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The Bulgarian football team is hoping to score a victory in its Friday's European Championship qualifier against Wales in Cardiff, which will mark Lothar Matthaeus debut as its coach.

"I expect a victory, but still there are two more days, during which we will have to clear out our concept for the clash with Wales. All in all I hope we'll play better than in the previous two games", coach assistant Mihail Madanski told journalists at Sofia airport.

"From what I have seen so far I can say that Lothar Matthaeus is a true professional. His high qualities are underestimated in Bulgaria," Madanski.

Bulgaria, who kicked off Group G with back-to-back defeats by England and Montenegro, face Wales before a friendly against Saudi Arabia in Istanbul on 12 October.

Lothar Matthaeus surprisingly left Parma striker Valeri Bojinov and Sanfrecce Hiroshima defender Iliyan Stoyanov out of the squad for Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier.

The move is surprising as Bojinov was expected to be the key player Lothar Matthaeus will rely on after failing to convince Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to return to the squad.

The team has also defensive problems following the injury withdrawals of Zhivko Milanov and Veselin Minev.

Bulgaria is at the bottom of Group G with zero points.

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