A late goal from Adrian Mutu
ensured that Romania maintained their excellent start to their World Cup
qualifying campaign at the expense of FYR Macedonia.
The visitors thought they had shared the spoils when Aleksandr Vasoski
equalised Daniel Gabriel Pancu's 14th-minute for the hosts.
However, Chelsea forward Mutu was on the mark after 87 minutes as Romania
recorded their second Group 1 win after beating Finland in their opener.
It confirms indications that Romania are back in the groove under Anghel
Iordanescu.
During the 1990s they were one of the top teams in Europe but have not now
qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2000.
This win will help restore confidence that the lean spell will soon be over.
After 14 minutes Mutu headed a Razvan Rat shot inches wide of the target.
Then Pancu scored the opener when he received the ball from Flavius Stoican
and turned his marker before firing home.
Macedonia goalkeeper Petar Miloseski saved well from Rat while Ionel
Danciulescu fired over when well placed to score as the Romanians pressed
forward.
At the other end just before halftime, Bogdan Lobont did well to deny Mile
Krstev who had raced onto a pass from Goran Pandev.
Finally the Macedonians hit back when Vasoski powered a header past Lobont
from a corner with 16 minutes remaining.
However, Mutu would have the last word when Romania won a free-kick with three
minutes to play.
The Chelsea man crashed an unstoppable shot which was too good for Milosevski
- it was his 13th goal for his nation.
Substitute Ciprian Marica could have made it 3-1 in stoppage time but
Milosevski saved his weak shot well.
Teams
Romania Lobont, Stoican, Rat, Iencsi, Moldovan, Soava,
Dica (Neaga 80), Florentin Petre, Pancu (Marica 62), Mutu,
Danciulescu (Cernat 46).
Subs Not Used: Dolha, Paraschiv, Constantin, Ogararu.
Booked: Mutu.
Goals: Pancu 15, Mutu 87.
FYR Macedonia Milosevski, Jancevski (Trajanov 88),
Krstev (Bozinovski 46), Stojanovski, Mitreski, Mitrevski,
Vasovski, Sumulikoski, Goran Popov, Sakiri (Toleski 83),
Pandev, Trajanov, Toleski.
Subs Not Used: Nikoloski, Stavrevski, Dimitrovski, Cumbev.
Sent Off: Sumulikoski (88).
Booked: Stojanovski, Vasovski, Bozinovski.
Goals: Vasovski 75.
Att: 20,000
Ref: Konrad Plautz (Austria).
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