It’s win or bust, admits Stoilov

BULGARIA coach Stanimir Stoilov makes no bones about the fact that, as far as World Cup qualification is concerned, his team is drinking in the last chance saloon in Sofia tonight.

“The situation is that every game is now a cup final for us,” he says. “We have to win this game. Of course, Ireland will try to do the same thing so it will be a very difficult game for both sides.”

Perhaps indulging in some mind games — or else all too acutely aware that the pressure is disproportionately on the home side — Stoilov maintains that this is going to be tougher test than the game in Dublin back in March when, even without some of their biggest names, Bulgaria claimed a point.