Liechtenstein stun Moldova to grab first success
Saturday, November 15, 2014
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Moldova 0-1 Liechtenstein
Franz Burgmeier's second-half free-kick proved decisive as the dogged visitors earned their first victory in Group G.
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• Liechtenstein earn first win in European Qualifiers Group G
• Captain Franz Burgmeier's second-half free-kick secures spoils
• Moldova dominate, having effort cleared off line
• Liechtenstein wear black armbands in honour of Rainer Hasler who died last month – son Nicholas in starting lineup
• Next games: Moldova v Sweden, Liechtenstein v Austria (27 March)
Franz Burgmeier's second-half free-kick proved decisive as Liechtenstein earned their first win in UEFA EURO 2016 Group G, a 1-0 success at Moldova.
The hosts generally controlled proceedings but were left ruing missed chances when Burgmeier curled a sublime set piece into the top-left corner from the edge of the area with 16 minutes to go.
The best opportunity of the first half came in a rare Liechtenstein attack. A lung-bursting surge from deep by Andreas Christen put him in the perfect position to collect a pass clipped over the defence, but Moldova goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu spread himself well and kept out the low effort with an outstretched right foot.
The men in blue were desperately close to a rapid response. Visiting keeper Benjamin Büchel dropped a long ball at the feet of Artur Ioniţa, but the Moldova No7's well-weighted lob was headed off the line by Daniel Kaufmann.
Büchel atoned before half-time, holding Alexandru Gaţcan's curling low shot, but he could not relax after the restart as Moldova continued to pile on the pressure. Alexandru Dedov sent a swinging, angled drive centimetres past the keeper's left upright.
On 74 minutes, Moldova were punished for failing to make their dominance count, as Liechtenstein made the most of their sole second-half opening. Captain Burgmeier stepped up to the dead ball and showed composure and technique in equal measure.