Torje double keeps Romania in touch

Romania are still in the hunt to qualify for UEFA EURO 2012 after a Gabriel Torje double earned them a crucial victory against Luxembourg in Group D.

Torje opened the scoring for the visitors from close range after Jonathan Joubert failed to hang on to Răzvan Cociş's header. The Udinese Calcio midfielder claimed a second on the stroke of half-time and Romania saw out the remainder of the contest to secure the win.

Looking for their first victory in qualifying, Luxembourg created the first meaningful chance of the match, Charles Leweck forcing Ciprian Tătăruşanu into a fine save after just three minutes. The visitors duly responded, though, Răzvan Raţ's cross met by Ciprian Marica who failed to find the target from close range.

With the game seemingly headed into the break goalless, Torje pounced to give his side a 34th-minute lead. And just before the first half came to a close, the same man latched on to Cosmin Contra's long pass to score his and Romania's second.

Victor Piturca's side could be forgiven for sitting back and protecting their lead after the interval with Raţ marshalling the defence superbly as Romania held on. Romania host France on Tuesday while Luxembourg play Albania on the same day.