Tuesday October 11, 2011 Group Stage: Group G Finished Vasil Levski Stadion
Bulgaria 0 - 1 Wales
- Bale 45’
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Euro 2012 qual. - Wales see off Bulgaria
Gareth Bale scored the only goal as Wales finished their Euro 2012 campaign with a 1-0 win away to Bulgaria. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Bulgaria
- Wales
90+3' Full time. Wales make it three from their last four and end a fruitless qualification campaign on a promising high. Roll on the road to Brazil 2014!
90+2' Wales now doing all they can to just keep the ball and wind down these remaining seconds. Petrov gets a late yellow card.- 90+1' Three minutes of added time to be played here.
- 90' Terziev clatters Bellamy who attempts to dribble the free-kick into the area. He is tackled at the last hurdle.
- 89' The stadium PA announces that the Welsh fans will need to remain in their seats for 15 minutes after the final whistle. For what? To prevent trouble outside? There's about 100 home fans here!
- 88' Matthews cuts out a dangerous Bulgarian move on the left.
- 86' Now Bulgaria send a ball from the left across the face of goal. Hairy finish for Wales.
85' How did Bulgaria not equalise there? Bojinov is sent through by a good through pass, but despite getting on the right side of Gunter he goes the wrong side of the outrushing Hennessy and toe-pokes wide of the post.- 83' The corner is caught by Hennessy, and away Wales go again. Ramsey capitalises on a poor headed pass and uses good upper body strength to shirk off a foul behind the 'D' and play advantage to fire over the bar.
- 82' A Delev cross from the left is cleared by Gunter for a corner.
- 81' Mihailov just about keeps an errant back-header from a defender from going out for a corner.
- 80' The Swiss are 2-0 ahead. Fourth place it is for Wales. Unless they concede two late goals.
- 78' Marvellous from Bale. Another Wales counter and it's all him. He skips past Zanev to reach the byline on the right, stops, fakes a cross before dancing past two men and having his cutback attempt after reaching virtually the side netting headed out for a corner.
- 77' Stoppage time in Dublin and Ireland lead 2-1, and it's ten men apiece with Doyle getting a second yellow.
- 76' Wales break away but Church is caught offside recieving a short pass from Bellamy.
- 75' A Bojinov shot is quelled by Williams' interception allowing Hennessy to collect. The replacement striker has been causing problems since his arrival.
- 73' A Bellamy cross is headed into the path of Ramsey, who volleys the ball over his marker and attempts a shot as it comes down. It reaches Row Z.
- 72' It's been an improved ten minute spell from Bulgaria after being second best by a country mile for the first 20 minutes of the second period.
71' And Delev is on for Popov in the home side's final switch.- 70' Simon Church has come on for Morison.
- 69' Bojinov creeps in behind the defence on the right-hand side and pulls back instead of playing the cross with a lack of team-mates in the box. He's eventually closed down.
- 68' Terziev is found in space on the right wing but with the ball heading rapidly towards the byline, his desperation cross before a goal kick is awarded only ends up going straight to Hennessey anyway.
- 66' Bale flashes a low centre across goal, but nobody's in position to tap into an empty net with the keeper beaten. The offside flag eventually goes up as the away side attempt to keep the pressure on.
- 65' Bad news for Wales, Switzerland have taken the lead on 55 minutes. Third place is out of reach unless Montenegro score twice. Though of course a good performance and a win here tonight is the priority for Gary Speed in the long run.
- 64' Bellamy adjudged to have fouled Terziev as the two tussle whilst in a footrace to latch onto Taylor's ball over the top on the left. The striker is furious that it went against him, mouthing a very naughty word on live television. Oops.
- 63' Petrov tries again from distance, this one from open play, and though it looks on-target it's blocked well by Williams.
- 62' Bulgaria make another attacking switch with Valeri Bojinov, ex-Man City striker, coming on for the disappointing Domovchiyski.
- 61' Bellamy gives the ball away allowing Popov to surge forward but his final ball attempt is heavy and goes to Hennessey.
- 60' Five minutes into the second half between Switzerland and Montenegro and it's still 0-0.
- 59' Close from Bale! A standing overhead kick assist from Ramsey tees up Bale's volley at full stretch which goes over the outrushing Mihailov and hits the bar. Replays show it didn't cross the line despite bouncing down across goal. Would have been a superb goal!
- 58' Despite the free-kick being some way out, Petrov goes for goal anyway and it's scuffed miles wide.
- 57' Allen is booked for pulling back Petrov.
- 56' Double highlight from Wales, both coming from Bellamy deliveries from the left wing. The first one looks like Mihailov has it covered only for the keeper to almost drop it into the path of Allen. Moments later, his cross-cum-shot towards the far post is inches ahead of two outstretched Welsh players trying to convert it for number 2.
- 55' Wales almost execute a great counter beginning with Gunter winning possession inside his own final third, but Allen's ball to Bellamy on the left forces the striker to pull back and start over.
- 54' Champagne stuff from Wales now. Bale inside to Ramsey, he backheels it from inside the area perfectly onto the run of Bellamy who gets behind it and drives over the bar.
- 53' Ramsey takes over free-kick duties from Bale on this third set piece in as many minutes from roughly the same location. This one finds the head of Williams, but only just. It's not enough contact for a real effort on goal and Bulgaria clear their lines.
- 52' Bulgaria make their first change. Manolev making way for Spas Delev. It's an attack-minded, tactical change.
- 51' Ivanov the next Bulgarian booked, checking Matthews on his overlapping run.
- 50' The visitors currently dominating possession, I think if we get a second goal soon the game will be done for. Their confidence levels are a great sight.
- 49' Bale's goal was his fifth senior goal for his country, and his second in this international break.
- 48' Gadzhev sees yellow for a foul on Allen. It's in pretty much the same place as the free-kick moments ago. This one is caught by Mihailov.
- 47 The Welsh pick up where they left off, tormenting their opponents with a wicked free-kick delivery from Bale on the right flank which flashes across the danger zone and out for a goal kick.
46' No further substitutions at the interval, and the trailing Bulgarians kick-off the second period.- 45+2' And moments later, the whistle for half-time sounds. Just over a minute of added time was played but Wales take the lead in the final minute of the interval to go into the break a goal up.
- 45+1' Great ball over the top on the right from Matthews sets Bale free. He cuts inside Ivanov to fire off a shot which takes a deflection off the recovering defender and goes in.
45' GOAL! Bale breaks the deadlock! Wales lead!- 44' Apparently Blake is struggling with his calf.
- 43' Now it's Ivanov posing a threat, being stood up by the centre-backs just inside the penalty area. He loses out but the ball goes straight to Miliev, who drills low and wide. That was a serious chance.
- 42' Bulgaria burst forward, but once again Domochiyski is guilty of holding onto it too long. It allows Williams to take the ball away.
- 41' Blake has gone down for a second time, he cannot continue. On in his place is Adam Matthews. He's a right-back, and it looks like Gunter will deputise as a centre-back.
- 40' Allen again shows great control to chest down a Bale pass before winning another attacking free-kick on the right-hand side from Zanev.
- 38' Another Wales free-kick, this one from deep on the left wing, is headed only as far as Allen who takes it down well but loses out to a defender ultimately. Another foul in attack is conceded trying to regain the ball.
- 37' Ramsey's free-kick from 25 yards fails to beat the first man, but Bale does better with the second ball from the left wing. Morison gives his marker a sly shove to ensure he gets on the end of the cross, and it costs Wales their momentum. Free-kick Bulgaria.
- 36' A cheeky (but awesome) backheel volley from Gadzhev sends Ivanov on his way. Ivanov takes on Blake before opting to move out wide and centre the ball. Once more, crossing accuracy lets the Bulgarians down.
- 35' The hosts waste no time attempting a delivery from the set piece but again, it sails past the area and Wales win a free-kick defending the situation.
- 34' Ramsey badgers Popov a little too eagerly in the centre circle and concedes a foul.
- 33' The visitors eventually get a payoff as Bulgaria lose possession and Wales break through Bale, but before he can get into the area from the right, he's thwarted by a superb sliding challenge from Miliev.
- 32' Wales looking as confident out of possession as they have in it thus far. Some great pressing, Gunter in particular, prevents the home side from moving into the final third on several occasions.
- 31' Crofts keeps watch on Petrov dilligently on the right, denying the midfielder time to cross and winning a goal kick for his side in the end.
- 29' Excellent raking pass from Ramsey to pick out Bale in the box, but Zanev marks well and heads it away.
- 28' Still goalless between the Swiss and Montenegro, though the Republic of Ireland are ahead at home to Armenia, who are down to ten men, thanks to an own goal.
- 27' Terziev wins a corner off Taylor, from which Ivanov is picked out at the far post but his shot is weak despite being at close range and Hennessey gobbles it up.
- 26' Allen collects a Ramsey loft pass inside the 'D', turns and shoots off-target. It wouldn't have counted anyway, as the midfielder handballed whilst controlling.
- 25' The corner is followed by another corner, which is played short and then crossed straight to Hennessey.
- 24' Zanev is picked out on the left with acres of space. His low cross is a great one and Blake clears at the expense of a corner.
- 22' The free-kick is whipped into the box from the right by Bale but it's a disappointing delivery and it's volleyed away. The home side break from it but the final ball into the area is overhit and Wales take the throw.
- 21' Morison dinks one over the defence in an attempt to find Bale's run inside, but Mihailov rushes out of goal to clear. It lands with Allen, who is fouled by Popov which earns the forward a verbal warning.
- 20' The ensuing corner is dealt with.
- 19' Morison gets a step ahead of his marker and advances into the area on the right-hand side. Bellamy is waiting for the square pass, but the striker takes a touch more than necessary and his eventual cut-back to Allen is intercepted, and crucially so for the home side.
- 18' Gadzhev's through pass down the middle is just ahead of Petrov and rolls innocently to Hennessey.
- 16' The visitors look confident in possession until Blake gives it away in a dangerous area to Domovchiyski, who wastes the opportunity inside the Wales area by neglecting to pass to a team mate. He's snuffed out in a 2-on-1.
- 15' ...but they concede a cheap free-kick and Gunter begins the response, moving forward before sending it across field to Bellamy.
- 14' Bellamy comes back to help defend against a Bulgarian attack. The hosts maintain possession and regroup inside their own half, however...
- 13' Now it's Joe Allen conceding a free-kick with a slide in on Stilyan Petrov.
- 12' Crofts gets a warning for a sliding challenge on Manolev just inside his own half. Looked like a fair challenge to me.
- 10' Tonev's deep cross from the left flank goes off for a Wales goal kick.
- 9' Hosts caught napping at the back again, this time Bale feeds a ball in from the left but Bellamy's shot is closed down well.
- 8' If anyone is going to provide that, it's probably Gareth Bale. He majectically skips into the box past the back line but his shot under pressure is into the side netting at the near post. If he had an extra moment there, I've no doubt he would have put that across goal and in.
- 7' Meanwhile, this is apparently the first time in eight years Wales have named an unchanged line-up. And as you can tell from the lack of actual updates, the slow start is still waiting for an increase in tempo here.
- 6' This is a much-changed Bulgaria line-up from the Lothar Matthaus days. U21 boss and interim senior side manager Mihail Madanski hoping for the revolution effect tonight.
- 5' Wales capitalise on a defensive error and Bellamy has the game's first shot on goal, firing straight into the waiting arms of Mihailov.
- 4' Manolev fouls Taylor in the middle of the park.
- 3' Chris Gunter quells a potential Bulgarian advance with a calm back pass to Wayne Hennessey in goal.
- 2' It takes the visiting contingent of fans little over 60 seconds to get in the first "your ground's too big for you" chant. It was only a matter of time. Cautious start unravelling here.
1' Polish official Pawel Gil begins the first half.- 19:05 The teams are out at the near-empty Vasil Levski. Kick-off is coming up next!
- 19:00 TEAMS - Bulgaria: Mihailov, Manolev, Zanev, Miliev, Terziev, Gadzhev, Tonev, Petrov, Popov, Domovchiyski, Ivanov. Subs: Vladislav Stoyanov, Minev, Genchev, Bojinov, Delev, Rangelov, Aleksandrov. /// Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Ashley Williams, Blake, Taylor, Allen, Ramsey, Crofts, Bale, Bellamy, Morison. Subs: Myhill, Matthews, Nyatanga, Vaughan, Edwards, Robson-Kanu, Church.
- 18:55 If you want to picture the emptiness, Bulgaria have sold less than 100 tickets. The stadium holds 44,000. Wales are expecting a crowd of 400 travelling supporters.
- 18:50 Those already at the Vasil Levski Stadium are reporting that a boycott by the Bulgarian fans is in full effect - there are currently more away fans in their stand than in the entire home areas with 15 minutes remaining until kick-off!
- 18:45 My man to watch in this one is hardly a surprising choice: visiting skipper Aaron Ramsey has grown into his responsibilities and with three international goals in his last 5 caps to boot.
- 18:40 For info, the other conclusive game in this group kicks off approximately 10 minutes after we do. I'll keep you abreast with major updates but Eurosport also have that game covered, if you want minute-by-minute updates in a seperate tab: Switzerland v Montenegro - LIVE
- 18:35 They won't be the only team on that pitch looking to get out of a rut, though: Bulgaria haven't won an international on home turf since an emphatic 6-2 win over Georgia two years ago.
- 18:30 The elephant in the room for Speed's men is their away form. Their six points in the group so far have come from two home wins, and they have lost their last five road trips (and seven from the last eight). That said, the supporters will hope for a continuation of the form seen at Wembley last month when the side were unlucky not to at least take a point.
- 18:25 That said, the last thing Bulgaria will want is to finish rock bottom in the group. A home win tonight will avoid such an 'accomplishment'. So much for this fixture being an afterthought...
- 18:20 Such a scenario would add to what has been a great month to be a Welsh sports fanatic. Not sure what I'm talking about? Have you been living under a rock? Here's why: Rugby World Cup - Wales reach semis
- 18:15 As Speed points out, should Wales emerge victorious in Bulgaria and Montenegro defeat Switzerland then the nation who were rock bottom and on zero points in Group G five weeks ago will finish the campaign in a very respectable third place.
- 18:10 Wales manager Gary Speed said of the trip to Bulgaria: "We want to finish third but obviously the Swiss have another game too. Bulgaria will be a tough game for us, they have a new coach and it's never good when you come up against a team with a new coach as they are up for it. Going there is never easy and it was always going to be tough, but we can take confidence from our recent results and hopefully we can get a result."
- 18:05 Good evening and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the concluding Euro 2012 qualification match between Bulgaria and Wales!
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Summary
- 85' How did Bulgaria not equalise there? Bojinov is sent through by a good through pass, but despite getting on the right side of Gunter he goes the wrong side of the outrushing Hennessy and toe-pokes wide of the post.
- 78' Marvellous from Bale. Another Wales counter and it's all him. He skips past Zanev to reach the byline on the right, stops, fakes a cross before dancing past two men and having his cutback attempt after reaching virtually the side netting headed out for a corner.
- 59' Close from Bale! A standing overhead kick assist from Ramsey tees up Bale's volley at full stretch which goes over the outrushing Mihailov and hits the bar. Replays show it didn't cross the line despite bouncing down across goal. Would have been a superb goal!
- 56' Double highlight from Wales, both coming from Bellamy deliveries from the left wing. The first one looks like Mihailov has it covered only for the keeper to almost drop it into the path of Allen. Moments later, his cross-cum-shot towards the far post is inches ahead of two outstretched Welsh players trying to convert it for number 2.
- 54' Champagne stuff from Wales now. Bale inside to Ramsey, he backheels it from inside the area perfectly onto the run of Bellamy who gets behind it and drives over the bar.
- 45+1' Great ball over the top on the right from Matthews sets Bale free. He cuts inside Ivanov to fire off a shot which takes a deflection off the recovering defender and goes in.
- 45' GOAL! Bale breaks the deadlock! Wales lead!
- 43' Now it's Ivanov posing a threat, being stood up by the centre-backs just inside the penalty area. He loses out but the ball goes straight to Miliev, who drills low and wide. That was a serious chance.
- 36' A cheeky (but awesome) backheel volley from Gadzhev sends Ivanov on his way. Ivanov takes on Blake before opting to move out wide and centre the ball. Once more, crossing accuracy lets the Bulgarians down.
- 19' Morison gets a step ahead of his marker and advances into the area on the right-hand side. Bellamy is waiting for the square pass, but the striker takes a touch more than necessary and his eventual cut-back to Allen is intercepted, and crucially so for the home side.
- 8' If anyone is going to provide that, it's probably Gareth Bale. He majectically skips into the box past the back line but his shot under pressure is into the side netting at the near post. If he had an extra moment there, I've no doubt he would have put that across goal and in.
- 19:00 TEAMS - Bulgaria: Mihailov, Manolev, Zanev, Miliev, Terziev, Gadzhev, Tonev, Petrov, Popov, Domovchiyski, Ivanov. Subs: Vladislav Stoyanov, Minev, Genchev, Bojinov, Delev, Rangelov, Aleksandrov. /// Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Ashley Williams, Blake, Taylor, Allen, Ramsey, Crofts, Bale, Bellamy, Morison. Subs: Myhill, Matthews, Nyatanga, Vaughan, Edwards, Robson-Kanu, Church.
Team Line-up & Ratings
- Bulgaria
Manager: Mihail Madanski
- Wales
Manager: Gary Speed
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- N. Mihaylov
- S. Manolev
- G. Terziev
- P. Zanev
- Y. Miliev
- V. Gadzhev
- I. Ivanov
- A. Tonev
- S. Petrov
- I. Popov
- V. Domovchijski
Subs
Starting line-up
- W. Hennessey
- C. Gunter
- N. Taylor
- A. Crofts
- D. Blake
- J. Allen
- A. Ramsey
- A. Williams
- G. Bale
- C. Bellamy
- S. Morison
Subs
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Rate Players
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