by Nicholas Nikolov

Created on: September 04, 2010   Last Updated: September 19, 2010

Even though at times it seemed like Bulgarian captain Dimitar Berbatov – surely their go-to-guy – at times underperformed for the national team, which stirred much criticism from his countrymen. However, after the 4-0 thrashing that Bulgaria received from England in last night’s European Championship qualifying Group G opener at Wembley Stadium. Surely the white-green-red clad fans were greatly missing his amazing goal-getting touch of 48 goals in 74 matches for Bulgaria and silky playmaking.

From the kickoff to the final whistle, England, of course dictated the pace of the game and dominated the new-looking and younger Bulgarian team for the full 90 minutes. Although, the obvious underdogs did manage to create a few goal-threatening half-chances.

But, it took head coach Fabio Capello to first draw blood in the opening three minutes against their counterparts. Striker Wayne Rooney orchestrated that build-up prior to the initial goal. The Manchester United forward provided the onrushing Ashley Cole with a sublime back chip pass inside the penalty area. Goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov – son of the well-known Bobby Mihaylov – quickly charged the English attacker to half-save the effort, however, Cole, without thinking, got to the free ball and squaring it for striker Jermain Defoe, who wasn’t expected to start due to a lower-body injury, roofs his powerfully struck strike.

The re-energized Tottenham Hotspur forward doubled his score tally on 61 minutes when the 27-year-old tucks the ball underneath the open-legged Bulgarian stopper. His third goal, thus, completes his hat-trick in the 86th, with a superb curling strike into the back of the net.

As for head coach Stanimir Stoylov’s outhustled and unenthusiastic squad of the new generation of hopeful stars like Blackburn Rovers hopeful Ivelin Popov, 22, and PSV Eindhoven defender Stanislav Manolev, 24, have the burden of attempting to recapture  the glory days of the ‘90s.

Nevertheless, Bulgaria had moments of scoring, but they lacked the finishing that was needed to have a chance in playing the role as spoiler. Bulgaria’s first real could chance came from England themselves via a defensive mishap that almost lead to an own goal by a foolish half-clearance by defender Glen Johnson.

In the second half, one of the many newcomers to the men’s senior national team was by the much talked about Blackburn Rovers hopeful forward Ivelin Popov, 22, who got past the English defence with his speed but only having to see his far bottom-right corner shot roll wide. Aston Villa midfielder and captain of Bulgaria, Stiliyan Petrov, unleashed a lightning strike from the edge of the box heading directly for the back of the net, but was well-blocked by the English defence.

The final chance the woeful out-of-breath Bulgarians came from substitute striker Dimitar Rangelov, 27, was cleverly stopped by goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Bulgaria leaves their embarrassment behind them in England on Friday. Coach Stoylov’s men look forward now to rebound against visiting Montenegro in Sofia next week. Whilst, England look to repeat their winning ways over Switzerland.       

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