Romania call up reserves

Anghel Iordanescu's options for Romania's opening FIFA World Cup qualifiers against F.Y.R. Macedonia and Andorra have been limited by injuries to some key players, resulting in a first call-up for Flavius Moldovan.

Injury jinx
Iordanescu is missing Cristian Chivu, Ioan Viorel Ganea and Iulian Filipescu - all of whom all sidelined by long-term problems - as well as Mirel Radoi and Sorin Ghionea who are out for a month. Another player, Cosmin Barcauan, is suspended for the match against the Macedonians on 4 September, but has been included and will be available for the game in Andorra four days later.

'Small selection pool'
With his options restricted, Iordanescu has been forced to call upon FC National Bucuresti centre-back Moldovan, as well as a number of players not currently playing first-team football. "Because the selection pool is small, I had to make compromises, selecting very good players who are not regulars at their clubs," the 54-year-old said. "Players like Adrian Mutu, Adrian Iencsi, Marius Niculae, Ovidiu Petre or [AFC] Ajax pair Nicolae Mitea and Bogdan Lobont".

Spanish exile
The Spain-based duo of Cosmin Contra and 36-year-old goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea were not included, however, because of the uncertainty over their futures at their respective clubs, UD Salamanca and Club Atlético de Madrid.

Romania squad
Lobont, Dolha, Curca, Stoican, Ogararu, Constantin, Iencsi, Moldovan, Barcauan, Rat, Dancia, F. Petre, O. Petre, Caramarin, Pancu, Soava, Dica, Cernat, Mitea, Mutu, Niculae, Danciulescu, Marica, Neaga.