Moldova national football team

The Moldova national football team (Romanian: Echipa națională de fotbal a Moldovei) represents Moldova in association football and is controlled by the Moldovan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Moldova. Moldova's home ground is Zimbru Stadium in Chișinău and their head coach is Igor Dobrovolski. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Georgia on 2 July 1991.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Moldova women's national football team.

Moldova
AssociationFederația Moldovenească de Fotbal (FMF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachEngin Fırat
CaptainAlexandru Epureanu
Most capsAlexandru Epureanu (91)
Top scorerSerghei Cleșcenco (11)
Home stadiumZimbru Stadium, Chișinău
FIFA codeMDA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 175 (16 July 2020)[1]
Highest37 (April 2008)
Lowest175 (June 2018, August 2018, October 2019 – June 2020)
First international
Moldova 2–4 Georgia 
(Chişinău, Moldova; 2 July 1991)
Biggest win
Moldova 5–0 Pakistan 
(Amman, Jordan; 18 August 1992)
Biggest defeat
 Sweden 6–0 Moldova
(Gothenburg, Sweden; 6 June 2001)

Two of their three best results in the 1990s years, came during the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 1996, with wins over Georgia (1–0) in Tbilisi and Wales (3–2) in Chișinău. In 2007, Moldova obtained a very good result, defeating Hungary 3–0 in Chișinău in Euro 2008 qualifying. Their best recent result was a 5–2 win over Montenegro during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying. The team has never qualified for the final stages of the UEFA European Championship nor the FIFA World Cup as of present time.

Following Moldova's 4–0 defeat to England in September 1997, British writer and comedian Tony Hawks travelled to Moldova to challenge and beat all 11 Moldovan international footballers at tennis. The feature film version of the book of the same name, Playing the Moldovans at Tennis, was filmed in and around Chișinău in May and June 2010 and was released in the spring of 2012.

History

The Moldovan Football Federation was founded in 1990. However, the national football team of Moldova did not play an official international match until 1991, when Moldova lost to Georgia.

Moldova's first attempt to qualify for the FIFA World Cup was in 1998, but they failed to qualify for the tournament. Moldova has finished either last or second last in all tournament qualifying campaigns entered to date, except UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying, in which they finished fifth in the seven-team Group C with 12 points.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1938 Part of  Romania
1950 to 1990 Part of  Soviet Union
1994 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member[2]
1998 Did not qualify8008221
2002 10136620
2006 10127516
2010 10037618
2014 103251217
2018 10028423
2022 To be determined
Total 0/6 58 5 12 41 35 115

UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1960 to 1992 Part of  Soviet Union and CIS
1996 Did not qualify103071127
2000 8044717
2004 8206519
2008 123361219
2012 103071216
2016 10028416
2020 10109426
2024 To be determined
Total 0/7 68 12 9 47 55 140

UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record
Year Division Position Pld W D L GF GA
2018–19 D 48th 6 2 3 1 4 5
2020–21 C To be determined
Total 6 2 3 1 4 5

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
Main article: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D

{{2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D table |show_matches=yes}}

UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
Main article: UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Group H
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  France 10 8 1 1 25 6 +19 25 Qualify for final tournament — 1–1 4–0 4–1 3–0 2–1
2  Turkey 10 7 2 1 18 3 +15 23 2–0 — 0–0 1–0 1–0 4–0
3  Iceland 10 6 1 3 14 11 +3 19 0–1 2–1 — 1–0 2–0 3–0
4  Albania 10 4 1 5 16 14 +2 13 0–2 0–2 4–2 — 2–2 2–0
5  Andorra 10 1 1 8 3 20 −17 4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–3 — 1–0
6  Moldova 10 1 0 9 4 26 −22 3 1–4 0–4 1–2 0–4 1–0 —
Source: UEFA

Fixtures and results

Recent results

2019

UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

Iceland 3–0 Moldova
Sigþórsson  31'
Bjarnason  55'
Mudrac  77' (o.g.)		 Report

UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

Moldova 0–4 Turkey
Report Tosun  37', 79'
Türüç  57'
Yazıcı  88'
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)

UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

Moldova 0–4 Albania
Report Cikalleshi  22'
Bare  34'
Trashi  40'
Manaj  90'


UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

France 2–1 Moldova
Varane  35'
Giroud  79' (pen.)		 Report Rață  9'

UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

2020

Friendly

Sweden 1–0 Moldova
Larsson  32'
Referee: Saoud Al-Athba (Qatar)

Friendly match

Moldova Cancelled Russia

2020–21 UEFA Nations League

Moldova v Kosovo

2020–21 UEFA Nations League

Slovenia v Moldova

2020–21 UEFA Nations League

Greece v Moldova

2020–21 UEFA Nations League

Moldova v Slovenia

2020–21 UEFA Nations League

Moldova v Greece

2020–21 UEFA Nations League

Kosovo v Moldova

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Friendly Match against Sweden on January 9, 2020.[3]

Caps and goals are correct as of 9 January 2020 after the game against Sweden.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Nicolai Calancea (1986-09-29) 29 September 1986 19 0 Dunărea Călărași
23 1GK Denis Rusu (1990-08-02) 2 August 1990 1 0 Politehnica Iași
12 1GK Nicolai Cebotari (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 0 0 Sfântul Gheorghe Suruceni
6 2DF Igor Armaș (Captain) (1987-07-14) 14 July 1987 58 5 Voluntari
22 2DF Dinu Graur (1994-12-27) 27 December 1994 16 0 Astra Giurgiu
15 2DF Sergiu Plătică (1991-06-09) 9 June 1991 14 0 Milsami Orhei
2 2DF Anatolie Prepeliță (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 3 0 Spartaks Jūrmala
5 2DF Constantin Bogdan (1993-12-29) 29 December 1993 2 0 Milsami Orhei
4 2DF Maxim Focșa (1992-04-21) 21 April 1992 1 0 Sfântul Gheorghe Suruceni
8 2DF Denis Marandici (1996-09-18) 18 September 1996 0 0 União de Leiria
7 3MF Andrei Cojocari (1987-01-21) 21 January 1987 39 2 Petrocub Hîncești
19 3MF Artur Pătraș (1988-10-01) 1 October 1988 29 0 Zimbru Chișinău
10 3MF Eugeniu Cociuc (1993-05-11) 11 May 1993 19 0 Sabah
9 3MF Dan Spătaru (1994-05-24) 24 May 1994 9 0 Noah
18 3MF Gheorghe Anton (1993-01-27) 27 January 1993 8 0 Zira
21 3MF Vadim Rață (1993-05-05) 5 May 1993 7 1 Chindia Târgoviște
14 3MF Dan Taras (1994-04-13) 13 April 1994 3 0 Petrocub Hîncești
11 3MF Cristian Dros (1998-04-15) 15 April 1998 1 0 Politehnica Timișoara
16 4FW Alexandru Suvorov (1987-02-02) 2 February 1987 57 7 Sfântul Gheorghe Suruceni
20 4FW Vladimir Ambros (1993-12-30) 30 December 1993 12 1 Petrocub Hîncești
17 4FW Alexandru Boiciuc (1997-08-21) 21 August 1997 9 0 Academica Clinceni

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Alexei Koșelev (1993-11-19) 19 November 1993 21 0 Fortuna Sittard v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
GK Dumitru Celeadnic (1992-04-23) 23 April 1992 0 0 Sheriff Tiraspol v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
DF Veaceslav Posmac (1990-11-07) 7 November 1990 37 2 Sheriff Tiraspol v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
DF Ion Jardan (1990-01-10) 10 January 1990 29 0 Petrocub Hîncești v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
DF Oleg Reabciuk (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 16 0 Paços de Ferreira v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
DF Artur Crăciun (1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 2 0 Universitatea Cluj v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
DF Artiom Rozgoniuc (1995-10-01) 1 October 1995 10 0 Sfântul Gheorghe Suruceni v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
DF Ștefan Efros (1990-05-08) 8 May 1990 3 0 Speranța Nisporeni v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
DF Victor Mudrac (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 3 0 Alashkert v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
MF Artur Ioniță (1990-08-17) 17 August 1990 45 3 Cagliari v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
MF Alexandru Antoniuc (1989-05-23) 23 May 1989 44 3 Milsami Orhei v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
MF Radu Gînsari (1991-12-10) 10 December 1991 39 7 Krylia Sovetov Samara v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
MF Cătălin Carp (1993-10-20) 20 October 1993 29 1 Ufa v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
MF Eugen Zasavițchi (1992-11-24) 24 November 1992 1 0 Dnyapro Mogilev v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
MF Alexandr Belousov (1998-05-14) 14 May 1998 0 0 Sheriff Tiraspol v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
MF Evgheni Oancea (1996-01-05) 5 January 1996 0 0 SKA-Khabarovsk v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
MF Eugeniu Cebotaru (1984-10-16) 16 October 1984 65 1 Academica Clinceni v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
MF Alexandru Dedov (1989-07-26) 26 July 1989 55 3 Petrocub Hîncești v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
MF Maxim Mihaliov (1986-08-22) 22 August 1986 13 0 Dinamo-Auto Tiraspol v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
MF Constantin Sandu (1993-09-15) 15 September 1993 6 0 Speranța Nisporeni v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
MF Iaser Țurcan (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 4 0 Petrocub Hîncești v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
MF Valeriu Macrițchii (1996-02-13) 13 February 1996 1 0 Dinamo-Auto Tiraspol v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
MF Mihail Ghecev (1997-11-05) 5 November 1997 1 0 Sheriff Tiraspol v.  Turkey, 10 September 2019
FW Eugen Sidorenco (1989-03-19) 19 March 1989 35 7 Vllaznia v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
FW Vitalie Damașcan (1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 14 1 Fortuna Sittard v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
FW Nicolae Milinceanu (1992-08-01) 1 August 1992 10 1 Vaduz v.  Iceland, 17 November 2019
FW Virgiliu Postolachi WIT (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 0 0 Mouscron v.  France, 14 November 2019
FW Maxim Cojocaru (1998-01-13) 13 January 1998 1 0 Sheriff Tiraspol v.  Albania, 14 October 2019
FW Vadim Cemîrtan (1987-07-21) 21 July 1987 4 0 Sfântul Gheorghe Suruceni v.  Turkey, 10 September 2019
Notes
  • WIT Withdrew from squad.
  • INJ Injured, ill or recovering from surgery.
  • RET Retired from international football.

Player history
Main article: List of Moldova international footballers

Players in bold are still active.

Last match updated was against  Sweden on 9 January 2020.

Most capped players
Alexandru Epureanu is Moldova's most capped player.
Rank Player Appearances Goals
1 Alexandru Epureanu 91 7
2 Victor Golovatenco 82 4
3 Radu Rebeja 74 2
4 Serghei Cleșcenco 69 11
5 Eugeniu Cebotaru 65 1
6 Alexandru Gațcan 63 5
7 Igor Armaș 58 5
8 Alexandru Suvorov 57 5
9 Ion Testemițanu 56 5
10 Alexandru Dedov 55 3
Valeriu Catînsus 55 0

Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals
1 Serghei Cleșcenco 11
2 Serghei Rogaciov 9
3 Igor Bugaiov 8
Sergiu Dadu 8
Iurie Miterev 8
6 Alexandru Epureanu 7
Eugen Sidorenco 7
Viorel Frunză 7
Radu Gînsari 7
10 Alexandru Suvorov 5
Serghei Alexeev 5
Serghei Alexandrov 5
Alexandru Gațcan 5
Ion Testemițanu 5
Igor Armaș 5

Clean Sheets
Rank Player CS
1 Stanislav Namașco 12
2 Evgheni Hmaruc 10
3 Alexei Koșelev 6
Vasile Koșelev 6
Serghei Dinov 6
Ilie Cebanu 6
Nicolae Calancea 6
Denis Romanenco 6
9 Artiom Gaiduchevici 5
10 Alexei Jmurco 1
Alexandru Melenciuc 1

Moldova all-time record against all nations
Last match updated was against  Sweden on 2020-01-09.

Managers
Statistics correct as of match played on 9 January 2020[4]
Coach Nat. Period Played Win Drawn Loss % Won
Ion Caras 1991–1992, 1992–1997 & 2012–2014 56 11 11 34 019.64
Evghenii Piunovschii 1992 5 3 0 2 060.00
Ivan Daniliants 1998–1999 14 2 7 5 014.29
Alexandru Mațiura 1999–2001 17 4 4 9 023.53
Alexandru Spiridon 2001 & 2018–2019 20 4 5 11 020.00
Viktor Pasulko 2002–2006 35 7 8 20 020.00
Anatol Teslev 2006–2007 6 1 2 3 016.67
Igor Dobrovolski 2007–2009 & 2016–2017 48 9 14 25 018.75
Gavril Balint 2010–2011 18 5 2 11 027.78
Alexandru Curtianu 2014–2015 10 0 4 6 000.00
Ștefan Stoica 2015 3 0 0 3 000.00
Semen Altman 2019 4 0 0 4 000.00
Engin Fırat 2019– 3 0 0 3 000.00

Current sponsorship

The Official kit provider is currently manufactured by German sports company Jako since 2000.

gollark: Not really. I mean, with a big passcode like that, it would be hard to bruteforce it, but you also probably couldn't remember that and would have to, say, write it down somewhere, and the rest of this "lock" thing could be insecure in some way.
gollark: You could get the same hard-to-brute-force-ness with, apparently, a 37 digit base 10 one.
gollark: It's basically just a convoluted way to express a 60-digit base-4 number.
gollark: The important thing is how much y increases each time x goes up by 1, which is the gradient.
gollark: I think so, yes. Generally I would take the equation (y = 3x + c) and substitute in one of the points' x and y values, but I guess for this that works.

See also
  • Moldova national football team results
  • Category:Moldovan footballers
  • Category:Moldova international footballers
  • Category:Moldovan football biography stubs

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. FIFA member since 16 June 1994.
  3. "LOTUL FINAL AL NAȚIONALEI PENTRU PARTIDA CU SUEDIA" [Enlarged national team for the matches with Sweden]. fmf.md (in Romanian). Moldovan Football Federation. 5 January 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  4. "Moldova national team managers". eu-football.info. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.