Bulgarian boss Stoilov opts for experience

BULGARIAN manager Stanimir Stoilov has recalled several experienced internationals for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Cyprus.

Stoilov staggered his squad announcement, yesterday identifying the members of Bulgaria’s overseas contingent that will be involved in the World Cup double header.

Among those recalled by the new coach are Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Igor Tomasic, Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Elin Topuzakov and Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s Ilian Stoyanov.

Topuzakov and Stoyanov had been frozen out of the national squad under previous manager Plamen Markov, but returned for the February friendly with Switzerland. Stoilov, who coached both at Levski Sofia, clearly thinks that the duo still have a lot to offer despite turning 32 since the start of the year.

Tomasic, the naturalised Croatian, had ended his international career in September 2008, after the 2-2 draw with Montenegro, Bulgaria’s first match of the qualifying campaign. He has now been persuaded to come out of retirement after injuries have left Stoilov’s team short of defensive cover.

The notable absentee in the list of 13 players is Manchester City’s Martin Petrov, whose return to fitness from an injury suffered last year while on international duty appears to have progressed slower than Stoilov would like.

Captain Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) and Stilian Petrov (Aston Villa) are the first names on the teamsheet while Valeri Bojinov, the Manchester City striker who looks to have recovered from yet another serious injury and featured as a late substitute in two recent matches, will join them.

From Germany, Stoilov has called Energie Cottbus’ Stanislav Angelov and Dimitar Rangelov, as well as Hannover’s Chavdar Yankov, who returns after an injury.

Also included are Dimitar Telkiyski from Hapoel Tel Aviv, Blagoi Georgiev from Terek Grozny, Velizar Dimitrov from Metalurh Donetsk and Dimitar Ivankov from Bursaspor.

Stoilov will call up the players from the domestic league next Monday.