Vasil Bozhikov

Bulgaria's Vasil Bozhikov (down) in action against France's Dimitri Payet (top) during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifier in Sofia, Bulgaria, 7 October 2017. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

"I stand behind my words that my wish is to watch Bulgaria with Bulgarian players," Ivanov said on Wednesday after facing critical reactions in sports and social media. 

Bulgaria midfielder Todor Nedelev scored a dubious late penalty to help them earn a 1-1 home draw in their opening Euro 2020 Group A qualifier against Montenegro on Friday, reports Euronews.

The penalty was awarded in the 82nd minute for a foul by Montenegro substitute Vladimir Jovovic on Stanislav Kostov but television replays showed the incident happened outside the penalty area.

Bulgaria's national team manager Peter Hubchev announced a group of 23 football players for friendly matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 23, 2018 at the Ludogorets Arena Stadium in Razgrad and Kazakhstan on 26.03.2018 at Pancho Arena in Felchut, Hungary.

There is also an absolute debutant in the face of Kamen Hadzhiev from Beroe.

Beroe and Litex were the two football teams representing Bulgaria in the first leg of the first qualifying round of Europa League, which took place on Thursday.

Both Bulgarian teams were visitors in the first leg, Beroe traveling to Lithuania, while Litex visited Latvia.