Second-half rally pushes Moldova past San Marino

Eugeniu Sidorenco scored twice as Moldova ended a sequence of four qualifying games without a win by sweeping aside San Marino 3-0.

The home team's patient approach finally bore fruit ten minutes after the interval when Viorel Frunza broke the deadlock. FC Tom Tomsk forward Sidorenco struck soon after and added to his tally right on full time to consign the visitors to their ninth straight defeat in FIFA World Cup Group H.

Ion Caras's men started with optimism and intent but failed to capitalise on a litany of chances as Alexandru Dedov, Anatolie Doroş and Frunza all misfired before Igor Armaş headed against the woodwork. They were almost made to pay for their profligacy when goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu denied Danilo Rinaldi at point-blank range.

Moldova wrested back the initiative after the restart and punctured the away side's resolve thanks to quickfire strikes from 33-year-old Frunza and Sidorenco. Substitute Alexandru Antoniuc – a dynamic presence throughout the second period – then crossed for Sidorenco to complete the formalities a minute from time.