Associated Press Worldstream
November 17, 2004 Wednesday 1:14 PM Eastern Time
Armenia holds Romania to 1-1 draw in World Cup qualifier
YEREVAN, Armenia
Karen Dokhoian knocked home a powerful shot in the 62nd minute
Wednesday to help Armenia hold Romania to a 1-1 draw in a World Cup
qualifying match.
Romania striker Ciprian Marica put the visitors in the lead in the
29th minute, beating the offsides trap and Armenia goalkeeper Apoula
Edel.
Marica nearly scored another early in the match, but his powerful
drive from the edge of the box was blocked by Edel.
Armenia had its first opportunity in the 26th minute. Hamlet
Mkhitarian took a shot from inside the penalty box but it was cleared
by Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea.
Aram Voskanian had another chance for the hosts in the 38th, but
Stelea kicked off his lobbing shot for a corner.
“The draw has disappointed us and may cause serious problems for us
in the future,” Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu said.
Romania won its first three World Cup qualifiers against Finland,
Macedonia and Andorra, but then lost to the Czech Republic in
October.
Romania has 10 points from five matches at the top of Group 1.
Finland has nine points.
Armenia: Apoula Edel; Karen Dokhoian, Harutyun Vardanian, Sargis
Hovsepian, Rafael Nazarian, Hamlet Mkhitarian, Alexander Tateosian,
Davit Grigorian (Aghvan Mkrtchian, 73), Armen Shangeldian (Karen
Aleksanian, 87), Aram Voskanian (Arman Karamian, 74), Edgar
Manucharian.
Romania: Bogdan Stelea; Flavius Stoican, Cristian Dancia, Flavius
Moldovan, Mihai Tararache, Cosmin Barcauan, Gabriel Caramarin
(Nicolae Dica, 46), Sorin Paraschiv (Florin Bratu, 74), Ciprian
Marica, Florin Cernat, Adrian Neaga.