Mutu breaks Andorran resistance

By Paul-Daniel Zaharia

Adrian Mutu scored two first-half goals as Romania overcame a defensively-minded Andorra team 2-0 in Constanta in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1, keeping up the pressure on pool leaders the Netherlands.

Munteanu landmark
Romanian playing legend Gheorghe Hagi attended the game in his home town of Constanta to watch 37-year-old defender Dorinel Munteanu equal his all-time record of 125 international appearances. But the action on the pitch proved rather tame.

Defensive emphasis
The Pyrenean visitors put the emphasis firmly on defence from the off, failing to get a single shot on target in the first half. Romania dominated throughout, but the sheer weight of numbers in the Andorran box made their life tricky.

Mutu just grand
After having a goal disallowed, Mutu finally got on the scoresheet with a fine header on 28 minutes. He doubled his tally five minutes before the break with a splendid 20-metre shot that arrowed into the top-left corner, the 1,000th goal in the history of the Romanian national team.

Few clear chances
The second half saw more physical, defensive play from Andorra, limiting the increasingly frustrated home team to just a handful of clear goalscoring opportunities. Romania consolidate third place in the group, moving to within two points of the Czech Republic and three of the Netherlands. However, the top two both have two games in hand.