Montenegro battle back in Bulgaria
Friday, October 9, 2009
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Bulgaria 1-1 Montenegro
Lachezar Baltanov converted a penalty but had a second saved and Marko Djurović's volley ensured Montenegro secured a point.
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Montenegro levelled 13 minutes from time to come away from Bulgaria with a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 6 point.
Point apiece
Lachezar Baltanov's penalty on 68 minutes had edged Bulgaria in front but the same player was to have a second spot-kick saved and Marko Djurović's strike ensured Montenegro moved on to four points from three games. That is the same tally as Bulgaria and Kazakhstan, however both have played five matches.
Bulgaria ahead
The first half was a midfield struggle but both coaches made attacking half-time changes. Striker Martin Toshev was introduced for Bulgaria and it was he that played through Momchil Tsvetanov to be fouled in the box by Žarko Tomašević for the spot-kick converted by Baltanov.
Equaliser
The Bulgaria captain quickly had another chance from the penalty spot, but Vlado Giljen saved after Baltanov himself was brought down. That gave Montenegro the momentum resulting in Djurović's diagonal volley past Mario Kirev. Bulgaria pressed hard late on but Montenegro held firm to leave both teams two points adrift of second-placed Sweden.