Romania Loses 1-2 Against Austria In World Cup 2010 Qualifier

Romania opened in the 24th with Cristian Tanase, who lobbed the ball over Austrian goalkeeper Gspurning into the empty net. The 22 year old striker from Arges FC scored his first goal in three games.

Austria leveled the score only one minute later through Hoffer, who picked up a pass and shot, from 14 meters away, past Romanian goalie Bogdan Lobont. In the 44th, Hoffer scored again, picking up the ball after a failed clear by Mirel Radoi, and shot low from 11 meters past Lobont.

Austria: 1. Gspurning – 3. Schiemer, 15. Prodl, 4. Pogatetz, 14. Ortlechner – 11. Arnautovici (7. Korkmaz ’69), 6. Pehlivan, 16. Scharner, 8. Beichler (13. Holzl ’78) – 9. Hoffer (18. Okotie ’54), 17. Maierhofer. Coach: Dietmar Constantini.

Romania: 1. Lobonţ – 2. Contra, 4. Tamaş, 15. Goian, 3. Raţ – 6. Rădoi (5. Stoica ’46) – 16. Nicoliţă (7. Nicu ’84), 11. Cociş, 10. Tănase – 9. Marica, 17. Bucur (18. Niculae ’68). Coach: Victor Piţurcă.

The match was refereed by a party from Scotland, composed of Craig Thompson, Tom Hugh Murphy and Martin Cryans, with William Collum in reserve. The FIFA Commissioner was English George Courtney, referee evaluator was Dane Jorn West Larsen.

Bookings: Prodl ’10, Pogatetz ’45+3, Scharner ’59/ Marica ’49.

The match on Hypo Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt was attended by 23,000 people, of whom around 4,000 were Romanians.

Romania remains on fifth place in its group of six, with 4 points and a negative goal average of 6-10. The only win was against the Faroe Islands, the rest being a tie with France and three losses against Lithuania, Serbia and Austria.