Bulgaria's Bertbatov's Potential Miracles Too Late

Still on a football theme, it seems that Bulgaria are relying heavily on the Mr Berbartov to perform miracles on the pitch to send them to the world cup finals. Unfortunately he should have performed these miracles earlier in the qualifying rounds. To date he has failed to live up to expectations both Internationally and in the UK with Manchester United. However Berbartov performs the results of other sides with decide Bulgaria’s outcome.

With four rounds of matches to play before the end of European Zone qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, Bulgaria no longer have their fate in their own hands. If the eastern Europeans wish to reach next year's global showpiece, they must hope their rivals slip up while accruing maximum points themselves. That looks nothing short of a minor miracle, yet anything is possible when you can call on a player like Dimitar Berbatov, a striker with the ability to score a goal out of nothing and the coolest of heads in high-pressure situations.

Currently back in third spot in Group 8, six points behind Italy and five short of Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria have played one game fewer than their rivals. Even so, coach Stanimir Stoilov needs his captain in inspirational mood for the upcoming clashes against Montenegro and Italy, as well as October's encounters with Cyprus and Georgia. Only then can Bulgaria harbour hopes a qualifying coup on a par with Emil Kostadinov's dramatic last-minute winner in France in November 1993 which earned a place at USA 1994.

At the age of 28, Berbatov has already written his name in the annals of his country's footballing history. Forty-one goals in 67 national-team appearances have taken the Manchester United man past the legendary Hristo Stoichkov (37 goals) and just six short of all-time top scorer Hristo Bonev (47).

Source: www.fifa.com