Source: Soccer World.

Friendly Matches
Wednesday February 14 1973 Sydney Sports Ground, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia Referee: Roger Lamb (Australia) Assistant Referees: Tim Davies and Neil Campbell (Australia) Attendance: 12,648
AUSTRALIA Ron Corry, George Harris, Peter Wilson, Manfred Schaefer, Bobby Hogg, Ray Richards, Jim Mackay, Ray Baartz, Adrian Alston, (Ernie Campbell), Max Tolson, Branko Buljevic Coach: Rale Rasic Goal: Buljevic 56, Tolson 72 pen	2	-	2	Bulgaria Rumen Goranov Radev, Ilia Chalev, Alexander Shalamanov, Vasselin Eugeniev, Dobromir Zhetchev, Jeko Jelev, Georgi Vasilev, Dinko Dermendjiev, Atanos Mikhaylov, Dimitar Yakimov (Iordan Stoikov 67), Ivan Pritargov (Stefan Bogomilov 74) Coach: Ioncho Arsov Goals: Vasilev 31, Michaylov 44
With the first phase of Australia's FIFA World Cup qualification campaign set to commence in March, the Australian Soccer Federation arranged for the Bulgarian national team to tour a month earlier as preparation. Bulgaria were the first European national team to tour Australia since 1969 and provided high class opposition. The first match was played midweek in Sydney but still drew a large crowd to the Sydney Sports Ground. Given the absence of stars Dimitar Penev, Christo Bonev, Gueorgui Denev and the national coach, Christo Mladenov, these matches were not classified as A-Internationals.
Friday February 16 1973 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia Referee: Tony Boskovic (Australia) Assistant Referees: Don Campbell and Mick O'Malley (Australia) Attendance: 8,576
AUSTRALIA Ron Corry, Doug Utjesenovic, Peter Wilson, Manfred Schaefer, Bobby Hogg, John Warren, Jim Mackay, Ray Baartz, Max Tolson, Ernie Campbell (Adrian Alston), Branko Buljevic (Atti Abonyi) Coach: Rale Rasic Goal: Baartz 29	1	-	3	Bulgaria Rumen Goranov Radev, Ilia Chalev, Alexander Shalamanov, Iordan Stoikov, Dimitar Dimitrov, Kevork Tahmisian (Vaselin Evjeniev 70), Todor Barzov (Dinko Dermendjiev), Iordan Iordanov, Georgi Vasilev, Ivan Pritargov (Atanos Mikhaylov), Stefan Bogomilov Coach: Ioncho Arsov Goals: Bogomilov 22, Pritargov 27, Michaylov 81
The second match of the three match series was played in Adelaide a mere two days later and Australia's normally reliable defense appeared lethargic and made numerous errors, allowing a classy Bulgaria to capitalise in a comprehensive performance.
Sunday February 18 1973 Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia Referee: Don Campbell (Australia) Assistant Referees: D.Yelland and A.Veaners (Australia) Attendance: 9,204
AUSTRALIA Jim Fraser, Doug Utjesenovic, Peter Wilson, Manfred Schaefer, Bobby Hogg, Jim Rooney, Jim Mackay, Ray Baartz, Ernie Campbell, Max Tolson, Branko Buljevic Coach: Rale Rasic	0	-	2	Bulgaria Rumen Goranov Radev (Ignat Mladenov 86), Ilia Chalev, Alexandr Shalamanov, Vaselin Evjeniev, Dobromir Zhechev (Iordan Stoikov), Jeko Jelev, Georgi Vasilev (Todor Barzov 79), Dinko Dermendjiev, Atanas Mikhaylov (Stefan Bogomilov 60), Dimitar Yakimov (Kevork Tahmisian 67), Ivan Pritargov Coach: Ioncho Arsov Goals: Pritargov 22, Dermendjiev 57
The final match of the series was played in Melbourne, Bulgaria again outclassing the hosts with a cohesive football display. Although Australia were winless in three matches, much was learned from a series which provided Rasic with a match-hardened team prior to the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Last updated: 20 December 2023.