Unlucky Ireland fall to Bulgaria in Euro U21 qualifier

Bulgaria 2 Republic of Ireland 0

The intense heat did not stop the Irish from bringing the game to their opponents, with the attacking trio of Alan Judge, Sean Scannell and Keith Treacy looking lively from the start.

Despite some clever midfield play from both sides, goalmouth action was few and far between, with Lachezar Baltanov’s 35 yard effort on 20 minutes, comfortably saved by Shane Redmond, the first real shot of the game.

The home side took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Tsvetanov broke down the left and pulled the ball back to Kurdov, who turned and shot low into the far corner.

Owen Garvan had a chance to draw the visitors level straight after the restart but he narrowly failed to connect with Scannell’s through ball.

Moments later, Treacy drilled the ball across the face of the goal as the Irish pushed for an equaliser.

Ireland captain Eddie Nolan had the next chance when he headed over from Seamus Coleman’s free-kick on 56 minutes.

However, it was the home side who were to get on the scoresheet again. In the 77th minute, Tsvetanov drifted in from the left and drilled his shot low into the Irish net.

BULGARIA: Mihaylov (capt.), Vidanov, Bodurov, Ivanov, Genev, Baltanov (Atanas Zehirov, 76), Ognyanov (Nikolay Diulgerov, 36), Kurdov, Petakov, Chipev, Tsvetanov (Kolev, 82)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Redmond, Coleman, Liddle, Nolan (capt.), Dennehy, Ryan, Judge, Berrett (Amond, 69), Scannell, Garvan, Treacy.

Referee: M Borg (Malta).