Stoilov not surprised by Ireland

IN THE week leading up to Saturday night’s game at Croke Park, there had been mixed signals coming from Bulgarian coach Stanimir Stoilov.

At first, he was quoted as saying that, having done the calculations, he had determined that even a defeat in Dublin would not terminate his side’s World Cup qualifying hopes.

But, in the days coming up to kick-off, he appeared to change his tune, suggesting that only a win would really kick-start their campaign after three draws in their first three matches and the ensuing turmoil in the camp which had seen him installed as a replacement for sacked coach Plamen Markov.