Preview: Romania to make Athens trip without star defender
Spurs star Vlad Chiriches has been ruled out of Romania’s two legged affair against Greece, after suffering a facial injury during Tottenham’s 1-0 loss against Newcastle in the Premier League. Tottenham’s Portuguese manager confirmed of the 23 year olds misfortune and when inquired about the Romanian international’s injury he responded: "I think he broke his nose."
The injury will be a huge blow to Romania’s chances of making it through who had been relying on the services of their star defender. Chiriches has gradually established himself as one of the most important members of the first team and his absence will surely be felt as Romania aim for a World Cup berth for the first time in 16 years.
Costel Pantilimon who has earned the number one spot at the Etihad Stadium after starting in the last four games for Manchester City has earned a recall after Steaua Bucharest goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu was withdrawn due to a back complaint.
Romania will nevertheless be hopeful of their chances after performing commendably in the group stages. The Tricolorii defied competition from the likes of Hungary and Turkey to finish second in Group D, nine points behind group leaders Netherlands. Romania shipped in 19 goals in the 10 games they played in the group stages and will definitely be depending on the likes of Ciprian Marica and Gabriel Torje to deliver the goods who shared eight goals among themselves in the group stages.
One man who can definitely count himself out from the playoff match as well as the Romanian set-up is controversial forward Adrian Mutu, who has been omitted from the squad to face Greece after publicly expressing his resentment on being left on the bench in the match against Holland.
Their counterparts Greece on the other hand were probably the unluckiest side of the group stages. The Piratiko finished on level points with Bosnia-Herzegovina but fell behind only on goal difference. It is shocking to see a side which won eight of the ten games they played unable to earn automatic qualification.
Friday’s match might not gather a lot headlines owing to a lack of star players in the encounter, but will be an interesting tie between a Greece side which has shown it’s resilience in defence and a Romanian side which has been lethal in front of the goal.
The Greeks however have been goal shy and managed just 12 goals in the 10 matches they played in the group stages. Despite being put against minnow teams such as Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein, Greece were unable to notch many goals and will have to improve their record if they are to seal a place in the World Cup.
Greece will be relying on the attacking talents of Dimitrios Salpingidis and 21 year old Konstantinos Fortounis both of whom have been very impressive for Fernando Santos’ side.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, Live scores
Watch Greece vs Romania live on Friday, November 15, 2013:
In Canada at 14:45 ET on Sportsnet Pacific
In USA at 14:45 ET on ESPN3, Watch ESPN
Fans based in Greece can catch the action live on MEGA Channel.
For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Greece vs Romania match page.
