Romania continue flying start
Wednesday, 8 September 2004
[1] Romania maintained their 100 per cent start to their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a comfortable victory in Andorra.
Three from three
[2] Anghel Iordanescu's side, who have already beaten Finland and F.Y.R. Macedonia, made it three wins from three at the Comunal de Aixovall to leave Andorra rooted to the bottom of Group 1 after two straight defeats. Florin Cernat set the visitors on their way with an early strike and two goals apiece from Daniel Pancu and Marius Niculae completed the scoring.
Early goal
[3] Romania made a dream start when FC Dinamo Kyiv midfield player Cernat completed a fine individual run by clipping the ball over Andorra goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez from the left-hand side of the area in the second minute. Andorra, who lost 3-0 in Finland in their opening match on Saturday, had barely recovered when they fell further behind, this time Besiktas JK midfield player Daniel Pancu beating Koldo with a low shot in the fifth minute.
Pujol penalty
[4] It was 3-0 in the 16th minute when Niculae got his first goal after applying the slightest touch to a powerful Cernat free-kick. Andorra then gave the home fans something to cheer when Marc Pujol converted a penalty just before half-time. However, Niculae restored Romania's four-goal advantage in the 72nd minute and Pancu wrapped up a good day's work by connecting with a corner five minutes from time.
Lima off
[5] To make matters worse for Andorra, Ildefons Lima was sent off for a second yellow card in the 79th minute. While Andorra are next in action against F.Y.R. Macedonia on 13 October, Romania will have their toughest test yet when they take the field four days earlier against the Czech Republic in Prague.
Romania goalscorer Daniel Pancu is challenged by Andorra's Sivera