Tomcat keeps Romania purring

As Romania close in on a place in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs, coach Emil Săndoi will look to in-form forward Bogdan Stancu to help him finish the job.

Leading scorer
The 21-year-old, who has one qualifying-round goal, has made a quick impact after joining FC Steaua Bucureşti from AFC Unirea Urziceni for €1m this summer. Starting the new season on the bench, he scored twice in his first three league matches to force his way into the Steaua side. Then, to repay coach Marius Lăcătuş's vote of confidence, he struck twice in a 2-2 draw at CF Gloria 1922 Bistrita to take his tally to four goals. 

Tomcat
A product of the reputed FC Argeş Piteşti academy, Stancu is now being touted for a call-up to Romania's senior team. Nicknamed the Tomcat for his speed and agility, Stancu scored in the U21s' 4-0 thrashing of Malta last November and is a major reason Săndoi can anticipate his side's final Group 10 matches – away to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday and at home to Wales next Tuesday – with such confidence. 

Undefeated
Romania are one of six countries still undefeated in qualifying, and will go two points clear of leaders Wales should they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina – with the Welsh then to come to Iasi. Romania have not qualified for an U21 tournament since hosting the event in 1998, when current senior coach Victor Piţurcă was in charge, and Săndoi's team are drawing favourable comparisons with the side of Bogdan Lobont, Cosmin Contra and Florentin Petre. 

'Careful'
"We want to finish the group in first place, which would mean we would play the second leg of the play-off at home," Săndoi said. "After the results we have had, it would be a pity to take a backward step now. We have to be very careful in Bosnia not to underestimate them. It wouldn't be bad to take just the four points from our last two games. But if we manage to win them both, then great." All ten group winners plus the best four runners-up advance to the play-offs, taking place on 11 and 15 October, with seven sides to join hosts Sweden at the finals next June.