National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Bulgaria's Marko Ruskov started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Tadej Pogačar was out of position in the 4 minute of play, and Marko Ruskov capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Marko Ruskov really showed his touch with that goal: 1-0. Joop Meder hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ignat Nozharov in the 12th minute of play forced Netherlands's goalkeeper Tadej Pogačar to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Marko Ruskov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 17th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After a rather tough play, Bulgaria's Ignat Nozharov got a free kick in the 18th minute. Vitomir Starokin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Frenkie de Jong in the 20th minute of play. In the 20th minute Frenkie de Jong shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vitomir Starokin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Marko Ruskov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Tadej Pogačar read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 22nd minute of play. A collision led to Netherlands getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. Joop Meder hit a great ball. With a little luck, Netherlands's Tadej Pogačar got control of the ball when Marko Ruskov tried to sneak it across the goal line. Tadej Pogačar was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Marko Ruskov showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-0 in the 25 minute of play. Vitomir Starokin stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Frenkie de Jong's shot from short distance in the 28th minute. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Marko Ruskov in the 29th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Tadej Pogačar prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 30 minutes into the match, Bulgaria's goal looked a bit too open when Frenkie de Jong came free, but Vitomir Starokin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 36 minutes into the game, Cobus Harding threw the ball into play from the sideline. Bulgaria's Naycho Dotzov quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Marko Ruskov might have been able to make a better finish in the 38th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tadej Pogačar. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Marko Ruskov ran back to his position shaking his head. Tadej Pogačar made a fantastic save in the 38th minute, when Marko Ruskov sent off a good shot on target. Joop Meder hit a great freekick 43 minutes into the match. After 47 played minutes Netherlands got a freekick which was hit by Marinus Doren. Bulgaria's Ignat Nozharov shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 48th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Tadej Pogačar but with some difficulty. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The wind increased when Guus Harmsen made the kick off in the second half. If Marko Ruskov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. 52 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Marko Ruskov came free, but Tadej Pogačar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ignat Nozharov hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. If Marko Ruskov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 56th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Tadej Pogačar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marko Ruskov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 57 minutes into the match, Netherlands's Frenkie de Jong sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Vitomir Starokin narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Vitomir Starokin was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Frenkie de Jong showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 2-1 in the 57 minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Guus Harmsen in the 62nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Vitomir Starokin prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 69th minute Marko Ruskov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tadej Pogačar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 70 played minutes Bulgaria got a freekick which was hit by Dido Dunchev. After a rather tough play, Bulgaria's Dido Dunchev got a free kick in the 71st minute. Naycho Dotzov kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. The supporters of Netherlands booed when Bulgaria was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 75 match minutes in a wonderful position. Naycho Dotzov didn't get a good kick on the ball. Vitomir Starokin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Guus Harmsen in the 76th minute of play. 80 minutes into the match, Netherlands's goal looked a bit too open when Marko Ruskov came free, but Tadej Pogačar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 82nd minute Frenkie de Jong shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vitomir Starokin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Marko Ruskov might have been able to make a better finish in the 84th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tadej Pogačar. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Marko Ruskov ran back to his position shaking his head. Netherlands's Frenkie de Jong got a good chance for a goal in the 89th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Netherlands made a substitution. Marco Hegeman replaced Robin Boelens. Netherlands made a substitution. Nick Heesen replaced Guus Harmsen. Denimir Tzonkov struck a weak shot in the 93rd minute. Tadej Pogačar didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bulgaria. After 94 played minutes Bulgaria got a freekick which was hit by Velyo Denchev. Vitomir Starokin made a fantastic save in the 96th minute, when Frenkie de Jong sent off a good shot on target. For all the effort they put into the match, the Netherlands players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Bulgaria.