Montenegro miss chance to overtake England
Reuters - Saturday 04 June 2011, 21:16
PODGORICA - Montenegro missed the chance
to overtake England at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group G
when they were held 1-1 at home by Bulgaria on Saturday.
Radomir Djalovic put the home side in front eight minutes
after the break with a fine left-footed volley from a pinpoint
left-wing cross from Vladimir Bozovic.
They were denied victory when Bulgaria striker Ivelin Popov
scored from close range midway through the second half - the
first goal have conceded in the campaign.
Bulgaria survived a few nervous as Savo Pavicevic hit the
post with a 20-metre shot and Marko Basa headed against the bar
from Nikola Drncic's corner.
"I was very angry with our first half performance and I let
the lads know about that in the dressing room at the break,"
Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaus told Bulgarian state television.
"But we played well in the second half and I was pleased
with it. We still have a slim chance (to reach the finals) and
we'll fight until the very end but we know we have to work and
prepare the team for the World Cup's qualifiers."
Despite the setback Montenegro, who failed to win a single
game during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, are still in a good
position to qualify for next year's tournament.
England, who salvaged a 2-2 draw with Switzerland after
trailing 2-0 at Wembley, top the group from Montenegro on goal
difference with 11 points from five games.
Montenegro host England on October 7.