Bulgaria won 1-0 against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on February 6 in the first match since Plamen Markov was appointed manager of the national football team.

The hosts, losing their fist home match in 18 months, succeeded in containing Dimitar Berbatov, who had a quiet night, and it was Manchester City winger Martin Petrov that proved to be the biggest threat the Northern Irish defence.

One of Petrov's numerous runs resulted in the only goal of the game in the 38th minute, when his effort was turned in by Jonny Evans, the Manchester United defender on loan at Sunderland.

In the end, it was the only difference between the two sides in what was, at times, a scrappy affair.

"It was a very good challenge and a good performance by our team. I am pleased with the victory because our team needed this kind of performance," Markov said after the game, as quoted by Sky Sports.

"I have no reasons not to be pleased with what we have done. I think Northern Ireland were a very strong team. It was a good friendly match."

Markov guided Bulgaria to its only appearance in a major international tournament in the last decade, Euro 2004, but was sacked when the team exited the group stage with only one point.