Berbatov in Bulgarian squad to face Ireland

MANCHESTER UNITED star Dimitar Berbatov was among 17 overseas-based players named by Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov yesterday in his squad for next month’s World Cup Group Eight qualifier against Ireland.

Stoilov will add three home-based players to the squad next week for the match at the Vasil Levski national stadium on June 6.

Bulgaria are third in the group with seven points from five matches. Italy top the standings with 14 points from six matches, followed by Ireland on 12.

All three teams are still undefeated.

Goalkeepers: Dimitar Ivankov (Bursaspor), Nikolay Mihaylov (Twente Enschede)

Defenders: Elin Topuzakov (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Igor Tomasic (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Iliyan Stoyanov (Sanfreche), Zahari Sirakov (Amkar Perm)

Midfielders: Stilian Petrov (Aston Villa), Stanislav Angelov (Energie Cottbus), Dimitar Telkiyski (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Velizar Dimitrov (Metalurg Donetsk), Blagoy Georgiev (Terek Grozny)

Strikers: Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd), Martin Petrov (Man City), Dimitar Rangelov (Energie Cottbus), Valeri Bojinov (Man City), Valeri Domovchiyski (Hertha Berlin), Dimitar Makriev (Ashdod).