Romania continued their im-pressive run but were well short of their scintillating best as a Claudiu Keseru goal earned them a laboured 1-0 victory over Group F underdogs Faroe Islands in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Ploiesti yesterday.
The victory ensured Anghel Iordanescu’s men top their table with 13 points from five matches, one clear of Northern Ireland.
Faroe Islands keeper Gunnar Nielsen was beaten in the 21st minute when Alexandru Maxim’s deflected free-kick hit the post and Keseru reacted quickly to slam home the rebound – his fourth goal in as many internationals.
Nielsen produced a couple of fine saves after the break as his team mates defended doggedly to stay in the game.
Maxim came closest to scoring a second in front of Romania’s vociferous fans at the Ilie Oana stadium nine minutes from time and Keseru sent a free-kick just wide of the post.
Against the run of play, the visitors almost snatched a dramatic equaliser when keeper Costel Pantilimon made a brilliant save to deny Joan Ed-mundsson in added time.
Faroe Islands, who beat Greece 1-0 in Athens in November after 34 successive competitive matches without a win, were forced to cope without some of their key players.
Captain Frodi Benjaminsen was not included in the squad after starting a new job as a prison guard last week, fellow midfielder Hallur Hansson was suspended and defender Jonas Tor Naes was out with a shoulder injury.
In-form Lafferty
Northern Ireland’s Kyle Lafferty maintained his superb and unlikely scoring streak with two expertly-taken goals in a 2-1 win over Finland that kept his side on course to reach the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland have never played in the European Championship finals or reached a major tournament for almost 30 years, but sit second in qualifying Group F with 12 points, one behind Romania.
Lafferty netted twice in the first half of the game in Belfast to take his tally for the qualifying campaign to five goals from five games, a ratio in stark contrast to his woeful club form.
Lafferty’s meagre tally of one goal in 18 games for Norwich, saw the English second-tier side ship him out on loan to Turkish outfit Rizespor where he has fared little better with one goal in seven games since making his debut in February.