Piturca backed to succeed

Romania coach Victor Piturca was handed a vote of confidence after a 2-2 World Cup 2010 qualifying draw at home to France on Saturday.

Romania led the French 2-0 before the former world champions hit back to earn a point in Constanta.

Piturca has come under fire in the media after a stuttering start to Romania's Group Seven campaign, losing 3-0 to Lithuania before edging past the Faroe Islands 1-0.

"Romania's position in the table and the general playing manner are far from satisfactory yet, but we've started recovering after the miserable start," Romania Soccer Federation (FRF) general director Ionut Lupescu told Reuters.

"Piturca has all our support to carry on with his four-year contract."

Romania are fifth in the six-team group with four points from three matches. Serbia and Lithuania lead the way on six points.