After a nightmare-like beginning of the World Cup qualifier on “Croke Park” in Dublin, the Bulgarian football team managed to settle the game with a draw of 1:1 and preserved the chances for a ticket to the World Cup 2010.

The hosts scored a goal in the very first minute of the match, when the defender Richard Dunne pierced through the defences of the goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov after the free kick of Steven Hunt. With a much needed stroke of luck, the Bulgarian team managed to reach a draw after an own goal by the otherwise excellent Kevin Kilbane in the 74th minute.

The Bulgarian team played without its Manchester Utd star player, Dimitar Berbatov. Bulgaria will face Cyprus home in Sofia on Wednesday.