Efros accepts Agro post

Petru Efros has taken over as coach of FC Agro Chisinau following the sudden resignation of Ion Caras.

U17 experience
The former Agro club president, who last year took the Moldovan Under-17 side to the finals of the 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, took over from Caras for this Saturday's game against local rivals FC Tiraspol. Agro had to settle for a 1-1 draw after an added-time goal denied them victory.

European ambitions
Caras had stepped down before the game after failing to reach the target set by the club's directors of a finish of fourth place or higher in the Moldovan First Division. The club were hoping to earn at least a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, but lying in sixth place in the league, their hopes of European football are fading.

Target set
The directors had demanded that Agro earned at least six points from their recent games against FC Dacia Chisinau, FC Zimbru Chisinau and FC Politehnica Chisinau  in order to close the gap on FC Dacia Chisinau and Tiraspol in fourth and fifth positions, but having earned two points from those fixtures, Caras stepped down.

Coaching credentials
Efros was the immediate choice as replacement, thanks to his knowledge of the club's infrastructure and strong relations with the Agro playing staff. The 38-year-old coach has also pledged to fulfil the club's pre-season aims of a place in Europe.