Romania victory too little, too late
Wednesday 14 October 2009
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Iulian Apostol was on target for Romania (©Getty Images)
Romania rounded off a disappointing FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands in Piatra Neamt.
Poor campaign
The hosts started the game second bottom of Group 7 with just their visitors sitting below them, but despite their victory, Lithuania's triumph against pool winners Serbia meant that is where they finished. Iulian Apostol, Gheorghe Bucur and Ionuţ Mazilu found the target for Răzvan Lucescu's side – who never got going in the group after losing their opening game, 3-0 at home to Lithuania – with Egil á Bø getting the Faroes' goal.
Late goals
Romania made a strong start and a Nicolae Grigore corner had already caused panic in the Faroe Islands' defence before Apostol opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Ciprian Marica then went close twice as the home side upped the ante. However, they had to wait until the 65th minute for a second when FC Timişoara forward Bucur headed in Marica's cross. The visitors got one back with seven minutes remaining when Á Bø struck, but thoughts of an unlikely away point were put to bed by Mazilu's late effort.
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