Quartet seal semi-final berths - Latvia, Romania, Hungary and Belarus are all through to tomorrow's semi-finals after the first day of the Cyprus Football Association Eight International Tournament. The hosts were hoping to win this annual tournament for the first time since 2000, but their dream died with a 2-0 defeat by Belarus in Achna's Dhasaki stadium. Maksim Romaschenko opened the scoring 56 minutes in, and added another 14 minutes later to seal the win on a day when another Belarussian representative side claimed victory in a separate international tournament in Malta. Their semi-final opponents tomorrow at the GSP stadium, Nicosia will be Romania, who secured a 3-0 win against Georgia. Adrian Mutu put Romania into the lead at the GSZ stadium in Larnaca on the half-hour, with his side having survived an early scare when Vitali Daraselia was unable to convert a ninth-minute penalty. Mutu scored again in the 70th minute and Florin Cernat sealed the victory three minutes from the end for last year's beaten finalists, who themselves won the competition in 2001. Cyprus and Georgia will meet at Nicosia's Makarion Athletic Centre tomorrow in a consolation match.

Scotland stumbled to a third successive defeat as Romania ran out comfortable winners at Glasgow's "Hampden Park" thanks to goals from Cristian Chivu and Daniel Pancu. Romania started the game the brighter but it took them 35 minutes to break the deadlock and stun the home crowd of 20.433 into silence. The goal was fortunate when it came. Defender Colin Cameron was dispossessed, and fouled Ovidiu Petre 30 metres from goal. Chivu's subsequent free-kick then struck Cameron's elbow and sailed past Paul Gallagher in the Scotland goal. After falling to heavy defeats against the Netherlands (6-0) and Wales (4-0), the game appeared to be up for Scotland when Pancu volleyed the visitors further ahead in the 52nd minute. Yet Scotland's spirit shone through when substitute James McFadden scored an exciting solo goal in the 56th minute to set up a grandstand finish. However, Romania, who like Scotland failed in their quest to reach UEFA EURO 2004, were able to defend the lead and ended up worthy winners. McFadden's effort was Scotland's only shot on target all match. It was also a frustrating night for Scotland debutant John Kennedy, who was carried off with a knee injury after 18 minutes. Romania will approach next month's friendly against Germany in good spirits while Scotland go to Denmark in search of a much-needed confidence boost.

Romania defeated Germany for the first time in 36 years after a spectacular first-half rampage in Bucharest, which included two goals from Ionel Dănciulescu and a sparkling finish by Răzvan Raţ, gave them a commanding early lead. Germany limited the damage in the second period but by then the home fans were already celebrating a famous victory. Germany coach Rudi Völler started the game with under-pressure goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, but the captain could do nothing to shore up a defence that looked brittle every time the Romanians came forward. Völler was without injured defender Christian Wörns and could draw little comfort from the centre-back partnership of Jens Jeremies and Carsten Ramelow. The German midfield was without Michael Ballack as well. Romania wasted no time in putting the visitors under pressure and Kahn was relieved to see Dănciulescu head over from eight metres early on. But after 20 minutes, Romania playmaker Mihăiţă Pleşan seized on a loose pass from Fabian Ernst and jinked past three defenders before rifling a left-footed drive high into Kahn's net. The lead was doubled three minutes later as left-back Raţ outpaced Arne Friedrich before lobbing an exquisite chip past Kahn. The Germans were on the ropes but still managed to carve out two half-chances, both of which were squandered by Kevin Kuranyi. Romania provided the knockout blow with two further goals in a three-minute spell as half-time approached. Dănciulescu capitalised on poor defending twice, first escaping his marker to toe-poke Florentin Petre's centre after a quickly taken free-kick, then finding space in the area to head Flavius Stoican's cross straight at Kahn from six metres. The beleaguered German captain could only push the ball into his net. Völler brought on Paul Freier for the second half and replaced Kahn with VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand. The Romanians continued to control the game, though, and almost made it five but Petre failed to connect to Stoican's teasing cross. Hildebrand stopped a certain goal by tipping a Petre lob on to the crossbar, then smartly held on to Ionel Ganea's chip from range after Kuranyi had headed one cross over at the other end and side-footed another wide. Substitute Gabriel Gheorghe Caramarin had the final word for Romania. He rushed on to Adrian Neaga's delightful lay-off to drill in a fifth goal from eight metres. Germany regained a shred of pride when Philipp Lahm struck a consolation at the back post after more good work by Freier, but by then, the visitors were well beaten. The result ends an impressive run of form in friendly matches for Germany, who had beaten Croatia and Belgium already this year. Romania can reflect on a fantastic performance but tinged with the regret that the rest of Europe will not see them turn on this kind of style at UEFA EURO 2004, for which they narrowly failed to qualify. They will be missed in Portugal.

Roy Keane's long-awaited return to international football ended in victory as fellow midfield player Matt Holland struck the winning goal in Dublin fourth minutes from time. The Charlton Athletic FC midfield player scored the only goal of the game with a right-foot volley, but it was his Manchester United FC counterpart - who had not played for his country since leaving the Ireland camp before the start of the 2002 FIFA World Cup - who was the centre of attention for most of the evening. Forty-two thousand fans were present to welcome Keane back to the fold at Lansdowne Road, and the 32-year-old nearly scored with Ireland's first real attack of the match, drilling a low cross-shot across goal in the eighth minute with striker Clinton Morrison just unable to turn it in. Keane also came close early in the second half, hitting a close-range effort against Romanian defender Mirel Radoi after goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea had parried a shot from Robbie Keane. Romania, wearing black armbands in tribute to the 16 people who were killed in Mihailesti on Monday when a truck carrying chemicals exploded, were seeking to build on last month's stunning 5-1 win against Germany in Bucharest, but struggled to create chances against Brian Kerr's side. The match seemed destined to finish scoreless draw before Holland volleyed a Morrison cross into the bottom right-hand corner of the Romanian net with just five minutes remaining. The Irish were given a standing ovation as they left the pitch, which Keane acknowledged by applauding the crowd.

A Florentin Petre goal seven minutes from time proved decisive as Romania opened their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1 campaign with victory. The FC Dinamo Bucuresti midfield player's strike gave the home side a two-goal cushion and although Aleksei Eremenko Jr scored an added-time penalty to reduce the deficit for Finland, it was little more than a consolation as Romania held on to take all three points. Adrian Mutu opened the scoring from a free-kick five minutes after the interval to give his side a deserved lead. After earlier testing Finland goalkeeper Antii Niemi twice from well-executed set-pieces, the Chelsea FC player made it third-time lucky with a 22-metre free-kick that flew into the top right-hand corner. The goal came after a quiet first half in which both sides had to adapt to enforced changes. A injuries had forced Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu to shuffle his pack, with Cosmin Barcauan and Sorin Ghionea forming an inexperienced central defensive partnership. Iordanescu also surprised with his tactics. Rather than dominating possession and building from the back in the style that Romania are known, his side directed a series of long balls to the strikers. The adjustment wrought reward too, with Dinamo striker Ionel Danciulescu threatening Niemi's goal on three occasions, but narrowly missing the target each time. Finland were forced to make changes of their own after Mikael Forssell had to withdraw hours before kick-off through illness. In his absence, Jonatan Johansson played as a lone striker and the Charlton Athletic FC man had the visitors' best opening of the first half, crashing a header against the bar after Bogdan Lobont had parried. Romania pressed from the outset in the second half before Mutu finally beat the resolute Finland defence. Mutu punctured the back-line again on 65 minutes but substitute Florin Cernat was denied by the in-form Niemi. Romania were reduced to ten men with 15 minutes remaining when Barcauan saw red but still extended their lead through Petre. Finland's numerical advantage lasted just ten minutes, though, as Mika Vayrynen received a second yellow card and, like Romania, they responded with a goal when Eremenko converted from the penalty spot after a handball by Razvan Rat. But it was too little too late. Romania now welcome F.Y.R. Macedonia on 4 September, when Finland play Andorra. Four days later Romania visit Andorra, Finland travel to Armenia and the remaining group contenders, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, meet.

Romania continued their winning FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1 start with a victory against F.Y.R. Macedonia in Craiova - but only thanks to captain Adrian Mutu's late winner. The Chelsea FC striker repeated his trick from his country's opening 2-1 win over Finland, scoring an 87th-minute free-kick. It brought great relief to the 12,000 spectators at the Ion Oblemenco after Aleksandar Vasovski had cancelled out Daniel Pancu's opener. The visitors ended the game with ten men after Velice Šumulikoski was shown a second yellow card for unsporting behaviour a minute from time Romania started by far the stronger, with Mutu having already headed wide when Pancu opened the scoring on 14 minutes, firing low past Petar Milosevski in the Macedonian goal. More chances followed for the home side as they besieged Milosevski. But the keeper was equal to everything thrown at him, saving well from Pancu, Razvan Rat and Mutu's overhead kick. F.Y.R. Macedonia held firm, however, and shortly before half-time showed their hosts they were not to be underestimated when the Romanian goalkeeper, Bogdan Lobont, saved brilliantly from Mile Krstev's deflected shot. By then the visitors' confidence had started to grow. They looked particularly dangerous on the counterattack, with the speedy Artim Sakiri and Goran Pandev catching the eye. Romania, meanwhile, returned form the half-time break sluggish, and it was no more than F.Y.R. Macedonia deserved when Vasovski equalised on 74 minutes with a close-range header. But the home side managed to rouse themselves one more time, Mutu striking home from 22 metres after he had been fouled by Aleksandr Mitrevski. Romania now take their 100 per cent record to Andorra on Wednesday. F.Y.R. Macedonia, meanwhile, must wait until next month's visit of the Netherlands to try to add to the three points they already have following their opening win against Armenia.

Jan Koller's first-half penalty was enough to end Romania’s unbeaten run and give the Czech Republic their first three points of the FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1 campaign. Romania maintained their 100 per cent start to their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a comfortable victory in Andorra. Anghel Iordanescu's side, who have already beaten Finland and F.Y.R. Macedonia, made it three wins from three at the Comunal de Aixovall to leave Andorra rooted to the bottom of Group 1 after two straight defeats. Florin Cernat set the visitors on their way with an early strike and two goals apiece from Daniel Pancu and Marius Niculae completed the scoring. Romania made a dream start when FC Dinamo Kyiv midfield player Cernat completed a fine individual run by clipping the ball over Andorra goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez from the left-hand side of the area in the second minute. Andorra, who lost 3-0 in Finland in their opening match on Saturday, had barely recovered when they fell further behind, this time Besiktas JK midfield player Daniel Pancu beating Koldo with a low shot in the fifth minute. It was 3-0 in the 16th minute when Niculae got his first goal after applying the slightest touch to a powerful Cernat free-kick. Andorra then gave the home fans something to cheer when Marc Pujol converted a penalty just before half-time. However, Niculae restored Romania's four-goal advantage in the 72nd minute and Pancu wrapped up a good day's work by connecting with a corner five minutes from time. To make matters worse for Andorra, Ildefons Lima was sent off for a second yellow card in the 79th minute. While Andorra are next in action against F.Y.R. Macedonia on 13 October, Romania will have their toughest test yet when they take the field four days earlier against the Czech Republic in Prague.

After dominating the first half with an impressive display of pace and movement, courtesy especially of Milan Baroš, the hosts were forced to work hard to protect their advantage after the break as Romania reorganised. The Romanians were afforded the luxury of welcoming back captain Adrian Mutu after he sat out the 5-1 win in Andorra. The home side, meanwhile, began the game looking to make up for the ground lost on their rivals following their 1-0 defeat in the Netherlands. And their cause was not aided by injury to the inspirational Karel Poborský or Pavel Nedved's retirement from international football. The Czech Republic's hunger was evident from the kick-off, and it was soon clear that Baroš was to play a key part in proceedings. Time and again he broke into space as his markers failed to match the striker's pace. Only wayward finishing prevented him from opening the scoring. On eight minutes the Liverpool FC man burst past Cosmin Barcauan into the box, but fired high over Bogdan Lobont's goal. And on 40 minutes he chipped too high after bursting clear. By then, though, his side were one up, Jan Koller slotting in from the spot after Florin Soava had tangled with Martin Jiránek at the back post in pursuit of Marek Heinz's free-kick. The home side were probably glad to have limited the scoring to just one at half-time. But after the break they emerged revitalised, Daniel Pancu immediately testing Petr Cech in the home goal. The visitors also sought to stem Baroš's supply lines, limiting the Czechs to only the occasional foray up front. But Romania continued to find chances of their own hard to come by. It was the Czech Republic's Heinz who came closest to adding to the scoreline on the hour, his stretching shot bouncing just wide after weaving into the Romanian box. And as the game petered out, the Czechs defended deeper and deeper, but never looked like relinquishing their lead. Both teams travel to Armenia for their next game - the Czechs on Wednesday, Romania on 11 November. And, thanks to yellow cards picked up tonight, the Czech Republic's Baroš and Romania's Pancu and Adrian Iencsi will sit their respective matches out through suspension.

The national team of Romania has made 1-1 at Yerevan after played with a team of second hand. This shameful result will count enormous at the end of preliminaries, because it's hard to believe that Armenia will have the same result with Czech Republic, or in the double with Holland. Romania scored a lucky goal and the hosts had many opportunities to score. If at youth team players like Cocis or Mitea did all they wanted with Armenians, they didn't have place at the team "A", the motive being they are too young, the strategy of Iordanescu being erred again. We played chaotic, without ambition, without speed, without tactics, hoping that we'll win the three points just because we are the better team. First opportunity to score had Armenia, in 26 minute, when Voskanian, in the penalty area, shot and the ball deviated by Barcauan passed at a few cm by Stelea post. Even Romania didn't have any opportunity to score, in 29 minute we opened the score, Sorin Paraschiv sent a pass to Marica, he was at the limit of the off-side, and one to one with goalkeeper Edima Bete, scored. In 37 minute, Voskanian overpassed our defence, after a ball from Grigorian, shot, but Stelea deviated miraculous. In 2nd half, Neaga entered in the penalty area after a good action from left side, in 57 minute, passed to Marica, but the shot of Shakhtior striker didn't impress Edima Bete. After 4 minutes, Armenia had a corner from right side, sent the ball in the penalty area and Dokhoyan shot fantastic and scored... What it happened next doesn't matter because we weren't a danger anymore for the post of the hosts, while Armenia could score easily 2-3 more goals...