Sahar ends Bulgarian resistance
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Article summary
Bulgaria 3-4 Israel
Ben Sahar struck at the death as the visitors snatched a Group 6 victory in Sofia after ten-man Bulgaria had battled their way back into the game.
Article top media content
Article body
Ben Sahar struck at the death as Israel snatched a UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 6 victory at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia after ten-man Bulgaria had battled their way back into the game.
Cool finish
The hosts took a third-minute lead when Lachezar Baltanov headed home Spas Delev's cross from the right but debutant defender Liroy Zairi levelled with a cool finish five minutes later, and Israel were ahead before the break as Baram Kayal nodded in a free-kick. Delev's dismissal for a foul reduced Bulgaria to ten men before the interval, and Israel took advantage in the second half with Toto Tamuz making it 3-1. Bulgaria did not give up, though, and Momchil Tsvetanov's strike was followed by an equalising header from captain Ivan Ivanov. Both sides had chances to win it thereafter, with Ivanov guilty of a glaring miss before Sahar kept his head in the dying seconds to win the game.