Match ends, Northern Ireland 0, Romania 0.
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland0RomaniaRomania0
Northern Ireland remain a point behind Group F leaders Romania after a scrappy Euro 2016 qualifying draw in Belfast.
Alexandru Chipciu wasted a good chance for Romania while Jonny Evans saw his header tipped over before the break.
A deflected Gabriel Torje shot went just wide before Kyle Lafferty fired straight at keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu with the game's best opportunity.
Hungary's win over Finland earlier on Saturday took them to within two points of Michael O'Neill's team.
Romania inflicted Northern Ireland's only defeat of the campaign last November, and with a stiff wind at their backs the visitors made a bright start in a sun-kissed Windsor Park.
Claudiu Keseru rifled a long-range free-kick just wide while Torje was also off-target with a sliced effort.
Northern Ireland improved as a disjointed first half progressed and Lafferty sent a weak shot straight at Tatarusanu.
Mihai Pintilii was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card after catching Conor McLaughlin with a high challenge.
| Northern Ireland's remaining Euro 2016 Group F qualifiers | |
|---|---|
| Faroe Islands (away) | Friday, 4 September 2015 |
| Hungary (home) | Monday, 7 September 2015 |
| Greece (home) | Thursday, 8 October 2015 |
| Finland (away) | Sunday, 11 October 2015 |
Chipciu was put through in the box but his mis-hit strike merely trundled into the hands of Michael McGovern, who along with Stuart Dallas was making his first competitive start for Northern Ireland.
The hosts pressed before the break and Tatarusanu tipped over a stooping header from Evans after Chris Baird failed to connect with a corner at the near post.
Dallas blasted wide from 25 yards before Lafferty headed over as Northern Ireland sought to capitalise on the wind advantage early in the second half.
The momentum faded and Romania began to threaten, with Keseru finishing a fine move by shooting straight at McGovern.
The dangerous Torje pounced on a McAuley mistake before driving into the box, and his deflected strike flew inches wide of the woodwork.
The best chance of an error-strewn affair came six minutes from time - a free-kick was headed down by McAuley to the unmarked Lafferty, but from eight yards the striker hit down and straight at a grateful Tatarusanu.
The Romanian keeper pushed over an Oliver Norwood free-kick a minute later in the final goalmouth action of the game.
Meanwhile, the Faroe Islands completed a Group F double over Greece with a 2-1 home victory moving the minnows up to fourth place.
Line-ups
Northern Ireland
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1McGovern
- 2McLaughlin
- 4McAuley
- 5EvansSubstituted forCathcartat 80'minutes
- 11BruntBooked at 49mins
- 8Davis
- 19WardSubstituted forEvansat 79'minutes
- 16Norwood
- 6Baird
- 14Dallas
- 10Lafferty
Substitutes
- 3Ferguson
- 7McGinn
- 9Grigg
- 12Carson
- 13Evans
- 15McCourt
- 17McNair
- 18Hughes
- 20Cathcart
- 21Magennis
- 22Lavery
- 23Taylor
Romania
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12Tatarusanu
- 2Papp
- 6Chiriches
- 21Grigore
- 3SepsiBooked at 47mins
- 18Prepelita
- 8PintiliiBooked at 29mins
- 11TorjeBooked at 78mins
- 10MaximSubstituted forTamasat 90'minutes
- 7ChipciuSubstituted forStancuat 61'minutes
- 13KeseruSubstituted forAndoneat 72'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lung Jr.
- 4Tamas
- 5Moti
- 9Andone
- 14Bumba
- 15Hoban
- 16Vatajelu
- 17Popa
- 19Stancu
- 20Bicfalvi
- 22Sapunaru
- 23Balgradean
- Referee:
- Carlos Velasco Carballo
Match Stats
Home TeamNorthern IrelandAway TeamRomania
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Northern Ireland 0, Romania 0.
Post update
Vlad Chiriches (Romania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Dangerous play by Stuart Dallas (Northern Ireland).
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Attempt missed. Chris Baird (Northern Ireland) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Romania. Gabriel Tamas replaces Alexandru Maxim.
Post update
Attempt missed. Gabriel Torje (Romania) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
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Florin Andone (Romania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Gareth McAuley (Northern Ireland).
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Foul by Bogdan Stancu (Romania).
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Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Northern Ireland. Conceded by Ciprian Tatarusanu.
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Attempt saved. Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Foul by Dragos Grigore (Romania).
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Kyle Lafferty (Northern Ireland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Gareth McAuley (Northern Ireland) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a set piece situation.
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Attempt saved. Kyle Lafferty (Northern Ireland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Gareth McAuley with a headed pass.
Post update
Foul by Laszlo Sepsi (Romania).
Post update
Corry Evans (Northern Ireland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Chris Baird (Northern Ireland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
