Markov waits on Petrov
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Article summary
Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov will leave it until Monday to see if Martin Petrov is fit to face Sweden.
Article body
Muscle strain
The left-sided midfield player missed training on Friday with a muscle strain in his left leg. Markov will wait for the team doctor's verdict on Monday before making a final decision on his fitness. Meanwhile, midfield player Marian Hristov will be available to face the Swedes despite sitting out Friday's session with a slight ankle injury.
Kirilov confidence
Confidence is high in the Bulgaria camp with defender Rosen Kirilov summing up the prevailing mood. "The defence is absolutely ready for the game against Sweden," he said. "Everyone is saying our defence is not good but if that was the case we wouldn't be here.
'Main threats'
"[Henrik] Larsson, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Fredrik] Ljungberg will be the main threats but we are ready for them," he continued. "I have played successfully against Larsson. The Swedes always rely on their physical and tactical strengths but we are well aware of them and will try to neutralise their firepower."
