Albania, Romania draw out

Srgian Luchin netted a late equaliser to earn Romania a draw from their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying trip to Albania today. In a clash between two sides out of contention for a top-two finish, Albania put themselves on course to claim only a third win in Group D when Hamdi Salihi put them ahead in the 24th minute in Tirana. Albania, looking to avenge a 6-1 thrashing by Romania during qualification for EURO 2008, held onto that lead until 13 minutes from time, but Luchin's close-range finish drew Romania back on level terms and earned them a share of the spoils. Romania, who were third in Group D but well adrift of leading pair France and Bosnia-Herzegovina, threatened first through Iasmin Latovlevici, whose ninth-minute shot was blocked by home goalkeeper Samir Ujkani, but it was Albania who drew first blood thanks to Salihi. Elis Bakaj sent over an in-swinging corner from the left and Salihi got on the end of it to plant a header past Silviu Lung Jr. Albania, second-bottom in the pool, had chances to increase their lead before the break but Lorik Cana fired wide and Erjon Bogdani was denied by Lung Jr. Aside from that early effort from Latovlevici, Romania created little to worry Ujkani until midway through the second half when the visitors started to cause some problems, Adrian Mutu and Bogdan Stancu both sending shots wide. The Romanians then got themselves back on level terms in the 77th minute when Bogdan Stancu's cross from the right was turned in by Luchin. Neither side could go on to force a winner in the closing stages, with Cana's long-range drive that was saved by Lung Jr the closest either team came.