CNN.com
Nov 17 2004

Group leaders Romania held to draw

YEREVAN, Armenia — Group One leaders Romania, beset by injuries and
suspensions, have been held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Armenia in
their World Cup qualifier.

A second-half equalizer from Krylya Sovietov Samara defender Karen
Dokhoyan handed hosts Armenia their first point in the group.

Shakhtar Donetsk forward Ciprian Marica fired Romania into a 29th
minute lead after being put clean through.

Armenia keeper Edela Bete got a hand to Marica’s low shot but could
not keep the ball out.

Armenia upped their game after the break and were rewarded when
Dokhhoyan’s curling shot from a narrow angle flew in on 63 minutes.

Romania lead with 10 points from five games but could be overhauled
later on Wednesday if the Netherlands, as expected, win in Andorra.

Substitute Vratislav Lokvenc and Jan Koller hit late goals as the
Czech Republic grabbed a 2-0 win against Macedonia in their Group One
tie.

The Czechs, who lost striker Milan Baros to an early injury, had
struggled to break down a well-organized side beaten by Andorra in
their last game.

Lokvenc’s appearance as a 76th minute substitute to partner Koller
changed the course of the match.

VfL Bochum’s Lokvenc headed home Karel Poborsky’s cross three minutes
from time to break the home side’s resistance.

Koller then sealed victory in the last minute with a header from
Marek Jankulovski’s cross.

“We were very patient and we were rewarded with two goals,” said
Czech coach Karel Brueckner.

Mutu to appeal
Meanwhile, banned Romanian striker Adrian Mutu has lodged an appeal
over his sacking by Chelsea last month after a positive drugs test.

The Premier League will now set up a hearing at which both Mutu,
suspended for seven months until May by the Football Association for
cocaine use, and Chelsea can make their case.

If either party is unhappy with the verdict reached by the Premier
League following a hearing, they can make a final appeal to the
Football League Appeals Committee.

Chelsea, who sacked Mutu for “gross misconduct,” have suggested they
want to recoup some of the loss they made on the international,
signed from Parma last year for nearly £16 million ($29.74 million).

“Chelsea is actively considering all options in relation to any
financial loss as a result of this case,” the Premier League leaders
said when they sacked Mutu.

Mutu has been allowed by FIFA to train with his former club Dinamo
Bucharest while serving his suspension, which FIFA has extended
worldwide.