Albania and Romania on a par in Tirana
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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Albania 1-1 Romania
Goals from Hamdi Salihi and Srgian Luchin settled the sides' closing UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, with a draw the right result in a sleepy Group D encounter.
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Srgian Luchin's first senior international goal earned Romania a share of the points in Tirana, with Albania unable to build on Hamdi Salihi's opener in their final UEFA EURO 2012 Group D game.
The FC Dinamo Bucureşti defender finished from a corner with 13 minutes to go as Victor Piţurcă's men took a share of the points. Salihi had put Albania ahead before the break, but his headed finish was almost overshadowed by a glaring miss shortly afterwards.
Andi Lila had threatened with the first serious chance on goal on 17 minutes, and his side made the breakthrough seven minutes later, Salihi connecting with Elis Bakaj's well-flighted corner. However, the SK Rapid Wien striker passed up an easier opportunity within two minutes, somehow failing to hit the target when presented with the ball two metres from the line.
Romania woke up as an attacking force after the break in what was proving a gentle-paced encounter. Adrian Mutu blazed an effort not too far wide just beyond the hour mark and Luchin then claimed his prize to mark only his third international game – and his first competitive start – for Romania.
