Lothar Matthäus a winning start as Ivelin Popov scored the only goal in Cardiff to bring their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying

Bulgaria gave new coach Lothar Matthäus a winning start as Ivelin Popov scored the only goal in Cardiff to bring their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign to life after defeats in their first two Group G games.

Popov struck three minutes after half-time to put a smile on the face of a Bulgarian team showing five changes to the XI who started last month's home game with Montenegro. The tall striker showed a sure touch, skilfully guiding a right-wing cross away from James Collins before firing in off the right-hand post.

It was a devastating blow to Wales who were also under new management, with Brian Flynn beginning a two-match spell as caretaker boss following the departure of John Toshack. That switch followed their own defeat to Montenegro in the opening fixture; a second reverse with games against Switzerland and England next on the agenda, casts Wales' qualifying prospects in a poor light.

In a lacklustre first-half only a handful of chances were created at either end of the field. Wales almost scored after seven minutes when Gareth Bale and Joe Ledley combined down the left. Steve Morison cleverly left the ball for the onrushing Chris Gunter whose shot flew hard and true but centimetres the wrong side of the post.

The visitors retaliated when a mistake allowed Martin Petrov a clear sight of goal. The response from goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was exemplary as he palmed the ball over.

Following Popov's goal, Wales' search for an equaliser foundered on a well-drilled defence though Morison did force a fine save from Nikolay Mihaylov. With a minute of normal time remaining, debutant Hal Robson-Kanu got on the end of Bale's inswinging cross but could not keep his header down. In added time Gunter capped a miserable night for the Welsh by receiving a straight red card following a foul on Dimitar Rangelov.

Lothar Matthäus made a winning start to his spell as Bulgaria coach

Bulgaria gave new coach Lothar Matthäus a winning start as Ivelin Popov scored the only goal in Cardiff to bring their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign to life after defeats in their first two Group G games.

Popov struck three minutes after half-time to put a smile on the face of a Bulgarian team showing five changes to the XI who started last month's home game with Montenegro. The tall striker showed a sure touch, skilfully guiding a right-wing cross away from James Collins before firing in off the right-hand post.

It was a devastating blow to Wales who were also under new management, with Brian Flynn beginning a two-match spell as caretaker boss following the departure of John Toshack. That switch followed their own defeat to Montenegro in the opening fixture; a second reverse with games against Switzerland and England next on the agenda, casts Wales' qualifying prospects in a poor light.

In a lacklustre first-half only a handful of chances were created at either end of the field. Wales almost scored after seven minutes when Gareth Bale and Joe Ledley combined down the left. Steve Morison cleverly left the ball for the onrushing Chris Gunter whose shot flew hard and true but centimetres the wrong side of the post.

The visitors retaliated when a mistake allowed Martin Petrov a clear sight of goal. The response from goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was exemplary as he palmed the ball over.

Following Popov's goal, Wales' search for an equaliser foundered on a well-drilled defence though Morison did force a fine save from Nikolay Mihaylov. With a minute of normal time remaining, debutant Hal Robson-Kanu got on the end of Bale's inswinging cross but could not keep his header down. In added time Gunter capped a miserable night for the Welsh by receiving a straight red card following a foul on Dimitar Rangelov.

Matthaeus fails to persuade Berbatov For Euro 2012 Qualifiers match

 New Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthaeus has failed to persuade Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov out of international retirement.

"I've had several conversations with him but he's not ready to play for Bulgaria again," the former Germany's World Cup winning captain told Kicker magazine on Thursday.

Last week, Matthaeus, 49, said he would try to bring Bulgaria's all-time leading scorer back in the team for the remaining Euro 2012 Group G qualifiers.

"He gave me no reasons but for me the issue is settled for Berbatov and other players can now take their chances," Matthaeus added.

Berbatov, 29, quit the national team in May citing fatigue and family commitments for his surprise announcement.

However, Matthaeus, who has an uphill task to take Bulgaria to the Euro 2012 finals following back-to-back defeats against England and Montenegro in their opening two qualifiers, remains upbeat.

"It's like the Germany team before the 2010 World Cup," 1991 Fifa World player of the Year Matthaeus said. "Ballack got injured, so Ozil and Khedira took their chances and are now at Real Madrid."

Matthaeus's first match in charge will be on October 8 when Bulgaria visit Wales in Cardiff.

"We must remove the pressure from the players and give them back the pleasure of the game," Matthaeus, who became the first foreigner to coach Bulgaria since 1966, said. "I'm convinced that Bulgaria will soon achieve good results."

Berbatov to Say No to Matthaeus shut up its my decision not yours

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov will stand by his decision to retire from international football and will not return to Bulgaria, his agent has confirmed.

Bulgaria's new coach Lothar Matthaeus promised last week to revive the team and to try to convince Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to return to the squad.

"Dimitar will not refuse to meet and talk to Matthaues but that's all," Berbatov's agent Emil Danchev told a local TV channel late on Sunday. "He will not return."

"He made it clear when he announced his decision earlier this year," Danchev said, adding that Berbatov hopes the new leader at the helm of the Bulgarian team will achieve the success everybody in the country hopes for.

Dimitar Berbatov announced at the beginning of May his retirement from international football with immediate effect. He explained at the time that he had become "discouraged" by his performances for his country, dealing a heavy blow to the team.

The 29-year-old was captain of his country and scored a national record 48 goals in just 74 matches.

Lothar Matthaeus signed earlier this month a one-year deal with an option for two more years at the helm.

So far, though, Matthaeus' coaching career hasn't come close to the glory of his days on the pitch. His next challenge will be to try to salvage Bulgaria's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012 and he has recalled 18 overseas-based players in the squad for his first match in charge.

Bulgaria, beaten 4-0 by England at Wembley  at the beginning of September, lost 1-0 at home to Montenegro on September 7. The team visit Wales on October 8 in their next Euro 2012 qualifier.

Lothar Matthäus insisted Bulgaria can still claim a place at the UEFA EURO 2012 finals after being unveiled as coach in Sofia, with his attacking philosophy key to his optimism.

New Bulgaria coach Lothar Matthäus has promised his side will play a more expansive style of football as they attempt to kick start their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign.

Germany's most capped player was unveiled in Sofia after signing a one-year deal, with the option of a further two, following the resignation of Stanimir Stoilov and declared he will demand greater attacking verve from his charges.

"This is a big challenge for me but I think Bulgaria has the potential to do well," said the 49-year-old. "The most important thing is for the players to be fully dedicated. I want them to entertain, enjoy playing and bring the fans joy. I love using an offensive style and with hard work I believe we could get positive results."

The 1980 UEFA European Championship and 1990 FIFA World Cup winner also insists Bulgaria can reach the UEFA EURO 2012 finals, despite losing their opening two matches without scoring. "I think positively and believe we can finish second in our qualifying group," he said. "I know it won't be easy after the defeats against England and Montenegro but we should all be positive. We must all work very hard to reach our targets."

Bulgaria is begging like a Dog for Berbatov to return

West Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus is aiming to being more misery to English football - by convincing red-hot Dimitar Berbatov to come out of international retirement and face Fabio Capello's men in Euro 2012 qualifying.

Berbatov, who is in sensational form for Manchester United this season with seven goals in six appearances, walked away from international football last season.

Without him, Bulgaria lost to England and Montenegro in their first two qualifiers for the 2012 Euro finals.

But Matthaeus, who captained the West German team that beat England in the Italia 90 semi-finals on the way to lifting the World Cup, has now taken following coach Stanimir Stoilov's resignation and wants the striker to return.

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We will qualify for Euro 2012, says Matthaeus

Bulgaria can still reach the Euro 2012 finals despite losing their opening two Group G qualifiers, new coach Lothar Matthaeus said on Thursday.

"I realise it's a big challenge," Matthaeus said after being presented to the media. "I know that Bulgaria lost to England and Montenegro in the first two matches but I think the team still has a chance to finish second and then qualify for the finals."

Germany's former World Cup winning captain replaced Stanimir Stoilov to become Bulgaria's fourth coach since Hristo Stoichkov quit in 2007.

"It's an enormous task and we need to work very hard to achieve it," the 49-year-old, who captained West Germany to the 1990 World Cup title and won a record 150 caps, said.

Matthaeus urged the local supporters and media to get behind the team in their struggle against the odds to reach the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

"Bulgaria is a footballing country but we can be successful only if the fans and the media give us their support."

"I know the Bulgarian football for a long time and I know the current players are very skilful. However, I will ask every team member for full commitment and for passion too."

Matthaeus, who will make his debut against Wales next month, became the first foreigner to take over as Bulgaria coach since Czech Rudolf Vytlacil vacated the post in 1966.

DIMITAR BERBATOV

The 1991 FIFA World Player of the year said that he would try to persuade Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov to come out of international retirement.

Berbatov, who is the Balkan country's all-time leading scorer, quit the team in May.

"No doubt, I'll talk to him (Berbatov) and I hope that he'll change his mind," said Matthaeus. "I believe that every player should be proud to play for the national team.

"I've been in a similar situation with the German national team during my playing days and I think I can tell him some things. But it's up to him after all."

Former German international star Lothar Matthaeus new couch for Bulgria

"Matthaeus will be officially presented in a few days," BFU president Borislav Mihaylov said, adding that the former midfielder had agreed a one-year contract with an option for two more years.

Matthaeus, who captained West Germany to the 1990 World Cup title and won a record 150 caps, replaces Stanimir Stoilov who resigned following Bulgaria's back-to-back Group G defeats by England and Montenegro in the Euro 2012 qualifiers earlier this month.

"We asked the U21's side coach Mihail Madanski and former Bulgaria's assistant coach Tsanko Tsvetanov to assist Matthaeus for the next month's qualifier against Wales," Mihaylov added.

The 49-year-old Matthaeus will take charge of a national team for the second time as he was also Hungary coach from 2003 to 2005.

The 1991 FIFA World Player of the Year won numerous trophies during his playing days with Germany, Bayern Munich and Internazionale but has achieved limited success as a coach with Rapid Vienna, Partizan Belgrade, Brazilian side Atletico Parananense, Salzburg and Isreali club Maccabi Netanya.

Elsad Zverotić's effort from distance stunned the home fans in Sofia as the tournament debutants won again.

Elsad Zverotić struck from distance to give Montenegro a 1-0 Group B win against Bulgaria in Sofia as UEFA's newest member nation secured a second UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying win.

The FC Luzern defender's low strike surged past Nikolay Mihaylov in the Bulgaria goal to leave Bulgaria with a mountain to climb in the section, following their opening 4-0 defeat in England; indeed coach Stanimir Stoilov resigned after the game. Zlatko Kranjčar's side, meanwhile, can still believe that anything is possible ahead of their next qualifier, at home against Switzerland on 8 October.

Captain Mirko Vučinić struck to give Montenegro a 1-0 win against Wales on Friday in their first UEFA European Championship game, but it did not initially seem that they would be able to repeat that feat against Bulgaria. However, after Mladen Božović saved from Ivelin Popov's header after 35 minutes, Montenegro broke, with Zverotić striking gold from 30 metres.

Bulgaria coach Stoilov brought on Stanislav Genchev for right-back Zhivko Milanov at the break with Valeri Bozhinov also replacing Dimitar Rangelov up front, but while the home side dominated, Montenegro held their own, with Božović doing his reputation no harm. A Martin Petrov free-kick crashed into the bar at the death but Bulgaria were defeated and Stoilov soon announced his resignation.