Republic of Ireland V Bulgaria - Saturday, 28th March 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

**Stuttgart88** · 25/03/2009, 10:30 PM

A "forensic" analysis of the table will tell you that so far the only result where we have bettered Bulgaria is Georgia away. They also have the advantage of at least one point secured from Italy where we may get none.

However, I think form, momentum and perception are important and we have the edge here. A bad start, regardless of who you've played, is hard to recover from. A good start is easier to build upon. Footballers are thick - they need simple incentives

We have Bulgaria twice, Italy twice and Cyprus away still, but these games are easier - don't ask me why - from the top of the table looking down than from the bottom looking up.

4 games give a flavour of how a group might unfold, 6 give it a more realistic look. Only 10 give it a final look.

**corkboy360** · 25/03/2009, 10:59 PM

Can't wait to go now probably will be my first and last time going to see Ireland play a soccer match at croke park...doing themselves no favours with the prices

Hopefully a 2-1 win and a bit of craic that night in Dubland.

**stojkovic** · 25/03/2009, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

And as EB pointed out, their game in hand is Georgia at home and if they win that and beat us in Sofia they are 4 points behind.
They have taken a home point against Italy
They have Cyprus at home while we still have to play Italy at home.
We would have to draw with Italy to stay 2 points ahead of Bulgaria.

The other 3 games we both have left to play are identical and its not out of the equation for example that we could drop 2 against Cyprus and they beat Cyprus.

Yes but YOU said we were only TWO points ahead of Bulgaria ATM when we are SEVEN.

Would you rather be ten points behind with a game in hand or ten points ahead having played a game more ?

On the subject of who we have still to play if it were Italy/Spain or Germany playing catch up then yes I would be worried. Its not, its Bulgaria. Take it from me if we win on Saturday Bulgaria are out of the equation.

**geysir** · 25/03/2009, 11:58 PM

Well, you do remember how Bulgaria got to one WC '94? after they were well written off against France.
It is nonsense to write off a team like Bulgaria until mathematically their chances have been consigned to the cesspit.
If we beat Bulgaria then we will be warm to hot favourites.

**stojkovic** · 26/03/2009, 12:08 AM

They dont have Stoichkov, Kostadinov, Letchkov or Balakov. That 94 team was the best team they ever had.

Anyway fingers crossed for Saturday.

**Crosby87** · 26/03/2009, 12:22 AM

345 start is perfect here. couldnt be better. dont remember a game being later than 245 in years.

**paul_oshea** · 26/03/2009, 8:02 AM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

They dont have Stoichkov, Kostadinov, Letchkov or Balakov. That 94 team was the best team they ever had.

Anyway fingers crossed for Saturday.

shallimov?

**Pike B** · 26/03/2009, 8:35 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

shallimov?

Bless you..

**paul_oshea** · 26/03/2009, 8:57 AM

Originally Posted by Pike B

Bless you..

it was the only other "ov" i could think of from around that time

**irishfan86** · 26/03/2009, 9:14 AM

Eleven-a-side is reporting that Stilian Petrov might not be fit for our match.

At this rate we may not have anyone to play against!

**geysir** · 26/03/2009, 9:49 AM

RTE sports reporter reckons after watching the practice game that McShane will start ahead of Kelly. Neither of them great options atm.
Anyway, lightening can't strike twice, can it?

**tetsujin1979** · 26/03/2009, 9:55 AM

After last weekend's gaff from Fanning about Robbie Keane never scoring against Man United, the independent's form continues
from http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...g-1686429.html

Fixtures versus leading two group teams in major competion qualifying since 2-1 victory over Holland in 2001 en route to qualification for World Cup 2002

**tetsujin1979** · 26/03/2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Eleven-a-side is reporting that Stilian Petrov might not be fit for our match.

At this rate we may not have anyone to play against!

from today's Independent (although given their other recent articles, I'd take it with a pinch of salt): http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...p-1686432.html

All seems to be well with the home party ahead of the visit of the troubled Bulgarians, who suffered another scare yesterday when captain Stiliyan Petrov limped out of training in Sofia but was subsequently reported fine. Levski Sofia full-back Jivko Milanov is 50-50 in terms of his participation due to a knee injury.

**Pike B** · 26/03/2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

it was the only other "ov" i could think of from around that time

How great were that team of 94? They are forever in my memory as big as Brazil or Italy in that tournament.

Here's another OV for you:

And spot the OV's here!!!

**Pike B** · 26/03/2009, 10:21 AM

Squad for 94:

1 GK Borislav Mikhailov
2 DF Emil Kremenliev
3 DF Trifon Ivanov
4 DF Tzanko Tzvetanov
5 DF Petar Houbtchev
6 MD Zlatko Yankov
7 FW Emil Kostadinov
8 FW Hristo Stoitchkov
9 MD Yordan Letchkov
10 FW Nasko Sirakov
11 MD Daniel Borimirov
12 GK Plamen Nikolov
13 MD Ivailo Yordanov
14 MD Bontcho Guentchev
15 DF Nikolai Iliev
16 DF Ilian Kiriakov
17 MD Petar Mitharski
18 FW Petar Alexandrov
19 MD Georgi Georgiev
20 MD Krassimir Balakov
21 FW Velko Jotov
22 MD Ivailo Andonov

**irishultra** · 26/03/2009, 12:13 PM

These are the club teams to which the Bulgarian defence belong.

Litex Lovech
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C.
CSKA Sofia
Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.
Levski Sofia
Litex Lovech

Obviously it doesn't tell a full story but when you take into account the majority of them are over 30 and the youngest is 23, then I believe it does. Really mcgeady and duff on form should be ripping these apart. I hate saying it, but really this game just is crying out for a player like andy reid to string these together and keep the ball moving on the ground and feeding our wingers. Obviously a win is the only thing important but I'd love a victory to get the spirits really up. Scraping a 1-0 win isn't going to put the team on a high, imagine a 3-0 win or something? Confidence sky high for the match in Bari.

**Wolfie** · 26/03/2009, 12:46 PM

As the well worn cliche states - a lot of football still to be played in this group, Bill.

A lot depends on whether you are happy with a play off place or challenging for topping the group.

I'm happy we have the points on the board from a psychological point of view but we'll have to retain complete focus on each game - there is less margin for error than the group table currently suggests.

The doomsday scenario could see us free-fall quite quickly - just look up the games we have left.

We've got ourselves into a good position but it will mean nothing unless we are ruthless in hammering the advantage home.

**tetsujin1979** · 26/03/2009, 12:50 PM

The lad from Levski Sofia is not participating in full training at the moment according to this: http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_1652514695

Levski’s back Jivko Milanov on his part is still continuing to train on a relieved regime. His participation in Ireland worried coach Stoilov more than that of Stiliyan Petrov.

report in this afternoon's Herald about Petrov's injury: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/pe...s-1686922.html

**corkboy360** · 26/03/2009, 2:53 PM

If McShane starts we are seriously shooting ourselves in the head!

**irishfan86** · 26/03/2009, 3:10 PM

Originally Posted by corkboy360

If McShane starts we are seriously shooting ourselves in the head!

I don't think McShane is the worst player in the world, and I think he's got potential.

But he's had a bad season, he's not getting first team football, and he has proven a hazard at the best of times this season.

If Trap puts him at centre-half and moves O'Shea out to the right, Saturday could end up being a very long game indeed.