By Richard Pedler<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Bulgaria has still not won a World Cup match.
\nIn 16 attempts, they have drawn six and lost 10.<\/p>\n
Regular qualifiers from 1962-74, their last appearance was at
\nMexico '86, reaching the second round for the first time before
\nlosing to USA '94 group rival Argentina. Despite possessing a
\nstrikeforce as potent as any in Europe, they will do well to
\nmatch that achievement.<\/p>\n
In an astonishing upset, Bulgaria completed the double over
\nFrance to secure (literally) last-minute qualification. But
\nBulgarian soccer suffers from acute lack of funds and inept
\norganization.<\/p>\n
Clubs have been singularly unsuccessful in European
\ncompetitions, the Bulgarian League is cash-starved and
\nsponsorless, and the Federation has failed to provide the team
\nwith any meaningful pre-World Cup fixtures.<\/p>\n
So national coach Dimitar Penev has not been able to assess
\nthe form of his 11 foreign-based players, or solve the defensive
\nand midfield frailties that surfaced in defeat to lowly Austria.<\/p>\n
Problems<\/p>\n
The problems start with captain and French Second Division
\nkeeper, Mikhailov. He is poorly protected by a dour defense
\ncontinually under pressure and a midfield weak at covering up the
\nholes.<\/p>\n
But the Bulgarian attack is one of the strongest in the world.
\nTwo world class strikers, Hristo Stoichlov and Emil Kostadinov
\nare supported by attacking midfielders Sirakov (with a strike
\nrate of a goal every three games) and Balakov (leading scorer at
\nSporting Lisbon).<\/p>\n
Stoichkov won the European Golden Boot with 38 goals in 1990.
\nHe was insulted at being placed second in the 1992 European
\nPlayer Of The Year Award balloting after helping Barcelona win
\nthe European Cup. His left foot is the best around, and this is
\nhis chance on the world stage.<\/p>\n
Kostadinov was the Foggia player who broke AC Milan keeper
\nRossi's unbeaten record earlier this season. But he can be
\nwasteful with chances, and hadn't scored for over a year until
\nthe match in Paris.<\/p>\n
The third striker is controversial manager's choice, Lubo
\nPenev. But whether his uncle and coach, Dimitar, will go for
\nthree out-and-out strikers is the key to Bulgaria's World Cup
\ncampaign. The strikers need to keep the ball upfield to relieve
\nthe pressurized defense. The more attackers the better, but coach
\nPenev is traditionally cautious, which may be his undoing.<\/p>\n
Nepotism<\/p>\n
Recently, accusations of nepotism from attacking midfielder
\nNasko Sirakov have led to his exclusion from the squad. \"I will
\nnot put up with it,\" Penev explains.<\/p>\n
\"He has never missed an opportunity to attack me in the media.
\nHe whines over my team selections and tactics and accuses me of
\nfavoritism because my nephew Luboslav Penev is a regular in the
\nside.\"<\/p>\n
Come USA' 94, the absence of Sirakov could be the difference
\nin a group where all the teams bar one are relatively unknown
\nentities. The Balkan showdown with Greece should be interesting.
\nIn their last two meetings, back in the Italia '90 qualifiers,
\nthe sides each won once, Bulgaria 4-0, Greece 1-0. This time
\nmuch more is at stake.<\/p>",
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