Moldova let Bosnians back in

Moldova got off the mark in Group C with a 2-2 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Chisinau, but they were left to reflect on what might have been after squandering a two-goal lead in the final half-hour.

Rogaciov double
Serghei Rogaciov looked to have put the home team on course for a rare victory with two first-half goals. The FK Aktobe striker broke the deadlock on 13 minutes and when he converted a penalty after the half-hour, Bosnia-Herzegovina seemed set for a second successive loss following their September defeat by Hungary. However, Zvjezdan Misimović gave the visitors hope on 62 minutes and soon after Ivicia Grlić hit a stunning equaliser as Moldova were again doomed to rue the concession of second-half goals.

Trivunović handball
Coach Anatol Teslev's defence had been undone in the last 20 minutes of the defeats by Greece and Norway in Moldova's first two UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers, and endured more of the same at the Zimbru stadium. The Bosnia-Herzegovnians saw more of the ball but it was Moldova who made the breakthrough when Rogaciov fired in early on. He doubled the lead on 32 minutes, rifling in from the spot after Vule Trivunović had been penalised for handball, and the partisan crowd found their voice.

Pascenco busy
Velimir Vidić almost silenced them immediately after the restart but goalkeeper Serghei Pascenco did well to beat his shot away. Visiting coach Blaž Slišković had shuffled his pack at half-time, introducing Grlić, and Bosnia-Herzegovina were soon laying siege to Pascenco's goal. The latter denied Zlatan Bajramović and Sergej Barbarez and even saved Misimovic's penalty after bringing down the striker, but could not keep out the rebound. It was all Bosnia-Herzegovina at this stage and Grlić eventually levelled with a superb 25-metre effort with 22 minutes remaining.