Allas blasts Estonia to victory

Estonia 1-0 Moldova
Teet Allas's 53rd-minute strike sealed a single-goal friendly international victory for Estonia over Moldova in the A. Le Cog Arena in Tallinn.

Hmaruc impresses
Moldovan goalkeeper Evgheny Hmaruc was the hero for his side tonight as the hosts started the match at an explosive pace. Captain Martin Reim, making his 112th international appearance, saw his 20-metre goalbound effort clawed away by Hmaruc, before the keeper denied Andres Oper when Indrek Zelinski and Meelis Rooba had combined to send the Aalborg BK striker through on goal.

Thunderous shot
Having dominated much of the first half, the hosts continued to impress after the break and were rewarded for their endeavours when Allas struck eight minutes after the interval. The Moldovan defence cleared a corner but right-back Allas was on hand to send a thunderous right-footed shot past a helpless Hmaruc to claim his first international goal.

Equaliser ruled out
Moldova thought they had levelled matters four minutes later when a quick counterattack by Hapoel Tel-Aviv's Serghey Clescenco down the left flank forced a good save from Mart Poom and the ball fell to unmarked Alexandr Golban. Unfortunately for the FC Dacia Chisinau player he was flagged offside and the hosts held on to secure the win.

'Different story'
Estonia coach Arno Pijpers was happy with the result but was also in philosophical mood ahead of his side's opening EURO 2004™ qualifying match against Croatia. "To play Croatia away is a completely different story than playing Moldova at home," he said. "Croatia will punish us immediately if we will make mistakes and we should take more of our chances, unlike today."

'Attacking football'
"Of course I would like to play attacking football against Croatia as well, but I am quite sure it will be 80 per cent defending and only 20 per cent attacking in Osijek." As well as Croatia, Estonia will face Andorra, Belgium and Bulgaria in qualifying Group 8.