Romania 3 Armenia 0
Sportinglife.com, UK
Sept 2 2005
A new era of Romanian football got off to a somewhat luke-warm start
on Wednesday as Victor Piturca’s much-changed side limped to a 3-0
win against Armenia.
Romania’s 2-0 defeat to Group One leaders Holland at the weekend
all but ended their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in 2006,
leaving them six points behind their opponents and five adrift of
second-placed Czech Republic.
Piturca admitted after the game that his side seem destined to miss
out and called instead for a new era to begin against Armenia with
qualification to the 2008 European Championships as the ultimate goal.
Accordingly, only five of the side that lined up against the Dutch
were included in the starting eleven at the Gheorghe Hagi Stadium, but
fans looking for a revitalised performance were to leave frustrated.
Ovidiu Petre opened the scoring midway through the first half before
goals either side of the interval from Gheorghe Bucur ultimately
sealed things.
But the hosts were far from compelling in their performance, never
looking to be in complete control.
Armenia meanwhile, despite their defeat, can take satisfaction in
providing a distinctly more encouraging performance than the dire
display they offered in losing 2-1 to FYR Macedonia at the weekend.
The visitors’ defensive game-plan was clear from the outset, with
Edgar Manchurian providing their only real presence up front.
Unsurprisingly therefore, Romania were soon dominating possession
and went ahead after 29 minutes.
Gigel Coman was the architect, creating space down the left flank
before delivering a superb cross that Petre headed home from six yards.
Eleven minutes later and the game was effectively over.
Mihaita Plesan lofted a long ball to Dorinel Munteanu who in turn
nodded into the path of Bucur.
And the striker, in the team in place of Adrian Mutu, made no mistake,
firing home past Roman Berezovsky.
Bucur grabbed his second late on in a poor second period to add a
touch of gloss to the scoreline but Piturca can take heart – it was
the first time in 18 months that Romania have kept a clean sheet.