Pancu double crushes Ukraine

Romania 4-1 Ukraine
Romania defeated Ukraine 4-1 today in a friendly played in the 'Gheorghe Hagi' stadium in Constanta thanks to goals from Dorinel Munteanu, Daniel Pancu, who scored twice, and Ioan Viorel Ganea.

Absent forwards
Romania, playing in front of 8,000 spectators and without injured strikers Adrian Ilie, Marius Niculae and Viorel Moldovan, started the match at a quick tempo and completely dominated the first period through the influential Munteanu.

Munteanu opener
Within four minutes, Munteanu could have scored twice, although in the 12th minute he did open the scoring with a tremendous shot from fully 25 metres, his 13th international goal in his 106th game.

Debut strike
Five minutes later Romania were 2-0 up and again it was Munteanu who was the creator of the goal. The VfL Wolfsburg player sent Adrian Mutu clear and his cross was met by the top scorer in Divizia A, Pancu, who had the simple task of making it 2-0 with his first-ever international goal for his country.

Game over
Before the break the home team were in cruise control, leading 4-0. Munteanu's wonderful pass gave Pancu the opportunity to double his goal tally for his country, which he did from the right-hand side of the penalty area and eight minutes before half-time Ganea's low shot from 20 metres with his left foot completed the rout.

Injury worry
In the second half, Romania were forced to replace the injured Pancu, who will be sidelined for a month with a pulled muscle, a change that appeared to affect the Romanians, as did the many substitutions that were made. Ukraine themselves did manage to pull one goal back in the 48th minute through Serhiy Siscenko after good work down the right from substitute Serghiy Kormiltev.