Satisfactory end to Moldova's campaign
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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Moldova 2-0 Luxembourg
Second-half goals from Iurie Livandovschi and Artur Patras helped Moldova complete a mixed Group 9 qualifying campaign on a positive note in Tiraspol.
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Same again
The sides went into the game with only pride to play for, as they were destined to finish fourth and fifth in Group 9 despite Moldova having claimed impressive wins against Israel and Germany. Those victories sandwiched a 2-0 success in Luxembourg last October, when two goals after half-time won the points, and it was more of the same in Tiraspol after Oleg Andronic squandered a host of first-half chances.
Breakthrough
Moldova's pressure finally paid dividends eight minutes after the restart when substitute Alexandr Dedov found Livandovschi with a sumptuous pass and the striker made no mistake. The visitors responded, but their hopes of gaining a first point in qualifying were ended 18 minutes from time when Patras rifled in a fine free-kick.