Slovenian Under17 team started their home qualifying campaign with a victory over Bulgaria. Igor Benedejčič’s side was better throughout the game, but took a late lead in the 87^th minute with Vanja Panič taking advantage of an indecisive Bulgarian defense.

UEFA EURO UNDER17 QUALIFIERS:

BULGARIA - SLOVENIA 0:1

Stadium: NNC Brdo
Referee: Jorgen Burchardt (DEN)
Goal: Panič 87.
Yellow card: Flaku Bosilj
Red card: /

Bulgaria: Badanov, Rabotov, Petrov, Rusev, Hristov, Petkov (83. Trifonov), Shopov, Bogdanov, Kostov, Tsenov (25. Videnov), Taskov (69. Panchev)
Slovenia: Leban, Zajšek, Dajčman, Pečnik, Zlatkov, Vukovič (86. Žur), Majcen, Šeško (46. Panič), Pečar (90+5' Sojer), Flakus Bosilj (79. Vipotnik), Slaviček.

Slovenia will be delighted after an opening win of the UEFA Euro Qualifiers Under17 tournament in Brdo, after they defeated Bulgaria with an 87^th minute Panič goal. The game was played in difficult, windy conditions which affected the game on both sides.

About 200 spectators witnessed a fairly even game with both teams showing enviable discipline through most of the match. Slovenian opened the game better and pressed against Bulgarian goal. Šeško came close to scoring in the second minute but wasn’t able to put the ball in the back of the net. Slovenia was again dangerous in the 9^th minute, when Flakus Bosilj was off target. Hristov missed the best Bulgaria opportunity in the 41^st minute, when he was well positioned but his aim was off.

Bulgaria had a nice opportunity in the 60^th minute, but Petkov’s shot was off target. Slovenia returned the favor with Panič shooting the ball into the Bulgarian block in the 72^nd. But Vanja Panič used his chance better in the 87^th minute, when he took advantage of an indecisive Bulgarian defense and took the ball past Badanov for a narrow Slovenia victory.

Slovenia will play the next game on Saturday against Malta, while Bulgaria will square off against Austria.

Article: MaK
Photo: Ekipa24.si