Two new Leeds United players were in action in Sunday evening’s Euros qualifiers, but they were both let down by two late twists and a heartbreaking ending for Ilia Gruev.
Signings for the summer season Gruev and Glen Kamara were both given starts for Bulgaria and Finland, respectively, but Finland was defeated 1-0 at home by Denmark, while Bulgaria was defeated 2-1 in Montenegro.
Kamara was chosen to Finland’s bench for Thursday’s Euros qualifier in Kazakhstan, where he came on with 23 minutes remaining and played a key role in the game’s lone goal.
Three days later, United’s summer signing from Rangers started as a left-sided centre midfielder against Denmark, often competing with former Whites loanee Rasmus Kristensen, who took up his normal right back slot for the Danes.
With the score still 0-0, Finland manager Markku Kanerva made three changes two minutes after the hour mark, including the withdrawal of Teemu Pukki, although Kamara remained on the field.
With six minutes remaining, Robert Taylor came in to replace Benjamin Kallman, but Denmark took the lead two minutes later thanks to a superb shot from Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who struck the bottom left corner with a low strike from 25 yards out. His score proved to be the game’s only goal, securing a victory that propelled Denmark to the top of Group F, leapfrogging Finland, who fell to second.
Meanwhile, Gruev resumed his run of starts for Bulgaria, who faced a Euros qualifier in Montenegro but fell to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat, leaving them bottom of the group.
Gruev started in midfield, but his team went behind in first-half stoppage time when Stefan Savic scored for the hosts. Montenegro were reduced to ten men in the 59th minute when Igor Vujacic was booked for the second time, and Bulgaria were granted a penalty. Kiril Despodov’s penalty kick was saved, but Bulgaria equalized with 11 minutes remaining on a Preslav Borukov header.
The visitors subsequently attempted to capitalize on their man advantage, but Montenegro threw one final sting in the tail with a 96th-minute winner from Stevan Jovetic.
About The Author
Leave a Reply