Petrov set to win 100th cap
Reuters - Tuesday 22 March 2011, 19:11
SOFIA - Aston Villa midfielder Stilian
Petrov is poised to win his 100th cap for Bulgaria in Saturday's
Euro 2012 qualifier at home to Switzerland.
Petrov is on the verge of becoming the second player to
reach the milestone for his country following Bulgarian Football
Union (BFU) president Borislav Mihaylov (102), a former
goalkeeper.
"Stilian is a role model for all Bulgaria players and I'm
really pleased such a player is the captain of my team," coach
Lothar Matthaus told a news conference on Tuesday.
Saturday's game pits Matthaeus against his former Bayern
Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld who is now in charge of
Switzerland.
Montenegro top Group G with 10 points from four matches
followed by England with seven from three.
Switzerland and Bulgaria have three points from three games
and Wales are bottom with no points.
Petrov, who has scored eight goals in 99 internationals,
will receive a special commemorative plaque from the BFU if he
plays against the Swiss.
"Stilian has great experience and is a very important member
of our squad," said Matthaus who received a traditional
Bulgarian sword from the players as a 50th birthday gift on
Monday.
"There would be no better present than a win on Saturday."