The Saturday's defeat to Bulgaria's main rivals for qualification for European Championship 2008 has put a strain on the previously united team, reported Sofia News Agency.

Captain Dimitar Berbatov commented the frustration that "once again we let in stupid goals, which cost us points. It's time we understood that if we make mistakes, an experienced team like Holland will punish us for them".

His feelings were echoed by winger Martin Petrov, who said: "We let in ridiculous goals and made individual mistakes. We had our chances, but failed to take them."

Coach Dimitar Penev joined in the criticism of Ivankov too.

He said the goalkeeper could be replaced by Georgi Petkov for the Luxembourg game.

Ivankov hit back and said that he was surprised by what Berbatov and Penev said, and considered it as typical Bulgarian behaviour - blaming each other.

"We're all to blame for the loss, the mistakes were complex, the entire team has to defend, starting from the strikers to the goalkeeper," he said.

After 8 games, Bulgaria now ranks third in Group G with stagnant 15 points, after Netherlands (7 games, 17 pts) and Romania (20 pts).

"Maybe it's better we do not qualify, because we would get humiliated if we play like this," Berbatov commented seriously.

Source: Xinhua