Moldova national football team

Moldova
AssociationFederația Moldovenească de Fotbal (FMF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachRoberto Bordin
CaptainAlexandru Epureanu
Most capsAlexandru Epureanu (100)
Top scorerSerghei Cleșcenco (11)
Home stadiumZimbru Stadium, Chișinău
FIFA codeMDA
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 181 (19 November 2021)[1]
Highest37 (April 2008)
Lowest181 (October 2021)
First international
Unofficial
 Moldova 2–4 Georgia 
(Chişinău, Moldavian SSR, USSR; 2 July 1991)
Official
 United States 1–1 Moldova 
(Jacksonville, United States; 16 April 1994)
Biggest win
 Pakistan 0–5 Moldova 
(Amman, Jordan; 18 August 1992)
Biggest defeat
 Denmark 8–0 Moldova 
(Herning, Denmark; 28 March 2021)

The Moldova national football team (Romanian: Echipa națională de fotbal a Moldovei) represents Moldova in international 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 Roberto Bordin. Shortly before the break-up of the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Georgia on 2 July 1991.

Two of their three best results in the 1990s 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.

Current sponsorship

German sports company Jako has been Moldova's official kit manufacturer since 2000.

Current competitions

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Group F
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Denmark 10 9 0 1 30 3 +27 27 Qualification to 2022 FIFA World Cup 2–0 5–0 1–0 3–1 8–0
2  Scotland 10 7 2 1 17 7 +10 23 Advance to play-offs 2–0 3–2 2–2 4–0 1–0
3  Israel 10 5 1 4 23 21 +2 16 0–2 1–1 5–2 3–2 2–1
4  Austria 10 5 1 4 19 17 +2 16 Advance to play-offs via Nations League 0–4 0–1 4–2 3–1 4–1
5  Faroe Islands 10 1 1 8 7 23 16 4 0–1 0–1 0–4 0–2 2–1
6  Moldova 10 0 1 9 5 30 25 1 0–4 0–2 1–4 0–2 1–1
Source: FIFA, UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss

2021

25 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Moldova  1–1  Faroe Islands Chișinău, Moldova
20:45 Report
Stadium: Stadionul Zimbru
Attendance: 0[2]
Referee: Iwan Arwel Griffith (Wales)
28 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Denmark  8–0  Moldova Herning, Denmark
18:00
Report Stadium: MCH Arena
Attendance: 0[3]
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)
31 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Moldova  1–4  Israel Chișinău, Moldova
20:45
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Attendance: 0[4]
Referee: Bojan Pandžić (Sweden)
3 June 2021 Friendly Turkey  2–0  Moldova Paderborn, Germany
19:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Benteler-Arena
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
6 June 2021 Friendly Moldova  1–0  Azerbaijan Chișinău, Moldova
19:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Referee: Marian Barbu (Romania)
1 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Moldova  0–2  Austria Chișinău, Moldova
21:45 Report
Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Referee: Paul Tierney (England)
4 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Scotland  1–0  Moldova Glasgow, Scotland
20:45 (19:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Hampden Park
Referee: Lawrence Visser (Belgium)
12 October 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Israel  2–1  Moldova Be'er Sheva, Israel
21:45 (21:45 UTC+3)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Turner Stadium
Attendance: 9,000[5]
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)
15 November 2021 (2021-11-15) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Austria  4–1  Moldova Klagenfurt, Austria
20:45 (21:45 UTC+2)
Report (FIFA)
Report (UEFA)
Stadium: Wörthersee Stadion
Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (North Macedonia)

2022

21 January 2022 Friendly South Korea  v  Moldova TBD, Turkey
TBD Stadium: TBD
29 March 2022 (2022-03-29) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League play-outs 2nd Leg Kazakhstan  v  Moldova Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Stadium: Astana Arena

Players

Current squad

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Stanislav Namașco (1986-11-10) 10 November 1986 53 0 Keşla
12 1GK Dumitru Celeadnic (1992-04-23) 23 April 1992 2 0 Sheriff Tiraspol
23 1GK Cristian Avram (1994-07-27) 27 July 1994 6 0 Buzău

2 2DF Oleg Reabciuk (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 31 0 Olympiacos
3 2DF Vadim Bolohan (1986-08-15) 15 August 1986 29 0 Milsami Orhei
4 2DF Igor Armaș (1987-07-14) 14 July 1987 74 5 Voluntari
5 2DF Veaceslav Posmac (1990-11-07) 7 November 1990 49 2 Tuzlaspor
6 2DF Maxim Potîrniche (1989-06-13) 13 June 1989 13 0 Petrocub Hîncești
14 2DF Denis Marandici (1996-09-18) 18 September 1996 5 0 Celje
15 2DF Ion Jardan (1990-01-10) 10 January 1990 43 0 Petrocub Hîncești
20 2DF Ioan-Călin Revenco (2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 0 0 Petrocub Hîncești

7 3MF Artur Ioniță (1990-08-17) 17 August 1990 59 3 Benevento
10 3MF Eugeniu Cociuc (1993-05-11) 11 May 1993 26 0 Zimbru Chișinău
13 3MF Victor Bogaciuc (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 1 0 Petrocub Hîncești
18 3MF Cristian Dros (1998-04-15) 15 April 1998 10 0 Slavia Mozyr
21 3MF Corneliu Cotogoi (2001-06-23) 23 June 2001 3 0 Petrocub Hîncești
22 3MF Vadim Rață (1993-05-05) 5 May 1993 24 1 Voluntari
3MF Sergiu Plătică (1991-06-09) 9 June 1991 28 0 Petrocub Hîncești

8 4FW Danu Spătaru (1994-05-24) 24 May 1994 20 0 Ararat-Armenia
9 4FW Ion Nicolaescu (1998-11-07) 7 November 1998 21 3 Dunajská Streda
11 4FW Radu Gînsari (1991-12-10) 10 December 1991 44 7 Xanthi
16 4FW Marius Iosipoi (2000-04-28) 28 April 2000 3 0 Petrocub Hîncești
17 4FW Artiom Puntus (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 2 0 Kukësi
19 4FW Mihail Ghecev (1997-11-05) 5 November 1997 4 0 Veres Rivne

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months.[10]

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Alexei Koșelev (1993-11-19) 19 November 1993 25 0 Júbilo Iwata v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
GK Nicolai Calancea (1986-09-29) 29 September 1986 19 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE
GK Emil Tîmbur (1997-07-21) 21 July 1997 0 0 Milsami Orhei v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE

DF Daniel Dumbravanu (2001-07-22) 22 July 2001 2 0 Lucchese v.  Faroe Islands, 7 September 2021
DF Alexandr Belousov (1998-05-14) 14 May 1998 2 0 Sheriff Tiraspol v.  Scotland, 4 September 2021
DF Igor Arhirii (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 2 0 Milsami Orhei v.  Turkey, 3 June 2021
DF Alexandru Epureanu (1986-09-27) 27 September 1986 100 7 İstanbul Başakşehir v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
DF Artur Crăciun (1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 4 0 Lokomotiv Plovdiv v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE
DF Maxim Focșa (1992-04-21) 21 April 1992 1 0 Slutsk v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE

MF Andrei Cojocari (1987-01-21) 21 January 1987 43 2 Zimbru Chișinău v.  Azerbaijan, 6 June 2021
MF Gheorghe Anton (1993-01-27) 27 January 1993 10 0 Brașov v.  Azerbaijan, 6 June 2021
MF Evgheni Oancea (1996-01-05) 5 January 1996 0 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  Azerbaijan, 6 June 2021
MF Cătălin Carp (1993-10-20) 20 October 1993 36 2 Dinamo București v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
MF Ion Dragan (1996-06-14) 14 June 1996 1 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
MF Mihail Caimacov (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 8 0 Slaven Belupo v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
MF Iaser Țurcan (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 6 0 Universitatea Cluj v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE
MF Teodor Lungu (1995-06-12) 12 June 1995 0 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE
MF Victor Stînă (1998-03-20) 20 March 1998 0 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE

FW Nicolae Milinceanu (1992-08-01) 1 August 1992 15 2 PAS Giannina v.  Faroe Islands, 7 September 2021
FW Nicky Cleșcenco (2001-07-23) 23 July 2001 3 1 Sion v.  Faroe Islands, 7 September 2021
FW Vitalie Damașcan (1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 20 2 Sepsi OSK v.  Azerbaijan, 6 June 2021
FW Marius Iosipoi (2000-04-28) 28 April 2000 2 0 Petrocub Hîncești v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
FW Alexandru Bejan (1996-05-07) 7 May 1996 0 0 Zimbru Chișinău v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
FW Virgiliu Postolachi (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 1 0 Mouscron v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
FW Alexandru Boiciuc (1997-08-21) 21 August 1997 10 0 Universitatea Cluj v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Player records

As of match played 15 November 2021[11][12]
Players in bold are still active with Moldova.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Roberto Bordin is the current head coach of the Moldova national team.
Position Staff
Head coach Roberto Bordin
Assistant coach Serghei Cleșcenco
Goalkeeping coach Denis Romanenco
Doctors Niccolò Accetti
Luigi Rossi
Giulio Varrella
Masseurs Pierluigi Pessini
Vito Mancini

Last updated: 30 March 2021
Source: FMF

Manager history

Statistics correct as of match played on 15 November 2021[13]
Coach Nat. Period Played Win Drawn Loss % Won
Ion Caras 1991–1992 2 0 1 1 000.00
Eugen Piunovschi 1992 5 3 0 2 060.00
Ion Caras 1992–1997 27 5 3 19 018.52
Alexandru Mațiura (interim) 1998 1 0 0 1 000.00
Ivan Daniliants 1998–1999 14 2 7 5 014.29
Alexandru Mațiura 1999–2001 16 4 4 8 025.00
Alexandru Spiridon 2001 4 1 0 3 025.00
Viktor Pasulko 2002–2005 35 7 8 20 020.00
Anatol Teslev 2006 6 1 2 3 016.67
Igor Dobrovolski 2007–2009 30 7 9 14 023.33
Gavril Balint 2010–2011 18 5 2 11 027.78
Ion Caras 2012–2014 27 6 7 14 022.22
Alexandru Curtianu 2014–2015 10 0 4 6 000.00
Ștefan Stoica (interim) 2015 3 0 0 3 000.00
Igor Dobrovolski 2016–2017 18 2 5 11 011.11
Alexandru Spiridon 2018–2019 16 3 5 8 018.75
Semen Altman 2019 4 0 0 4 000.00
Engin Fırat 2019–2020 11 0 2 9 000.00
Roberto Bordin 2021– 12 1 1 10 008.33

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1938 Part of  Romania Part of  Romania
1950 to 1990 Part of  Soviet Union Part of  Soviet Union
1994 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member[14]
1998 Did not qualify 5th8008221
2002 5th10136620
2006 6th10127516
2010 6th10037618
2014 5th103251217
2018 6th10028423
2022 6th10019530
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/7 68 5 13 50 40 145

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1960 to 1992 Part of  Soviet Union and  CIS Part of  Soviet Union and  CIS
1996 Did not qualify 4th103071127
2000 5th8044717
2004 4th8206519
2008 5th123361219
2012 5th103071216
2016 6th10028416
2020 6th10109426
2024 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/7 68 12 9 47 55 140

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 D 62314548th
2020–21 C 6015111TBD48th
2022–23 To be detemined
Total 12 2 4 6 5 16 48th

By competition

Competition P W D L GF GA GD Win % Loss %
FIFA World Cup qualification 685135040145–1057.3573.53
UEFA European qualification 681294755140–8517.6569.12
UEFA Nations League 12246516–1116.6750.00
Total1481926103100301–20112.8469.59

Head-to-head record

Last match updated was against  Austria on 15 November 2021.[15]

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. The match was played behind closed doors due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. The match was played behind closed doors due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
  4. The match was played behind closed doors due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
  5. "Israel vs. Moldova". Union of European Football Associations. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  6. "LOTUL NAȚIONALEI PENTRU MECIURILE DIN PRELIMINARIILE CAMPIONATULUI MONDIAL 2022". Moldovan Football Federation (in Romanian). 23 September 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  7. "NAȚIONALA ÎN PREGĂTIRI PENTRU MECIURILE DIN OCTOMBRIE". Moldovan Football Federation (in Romanian). 5 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  8. "MOLDOVA A CEDAT ÎN FAȚA DANEMARCEI". Moldovan Football Federation (in Romanian). 9 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  9. "Most Moldova Caps". eu-football.info. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  10. Grecu, Sandu (9 March 2021). "Lotul lărgit al Naționalei pentru startul campaniei de calificare la World Cup 2022" (in Romanian). FMF. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  11. "Most Moldova caps". EU Football. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  12. "Top Moldova Goal Scorers". EU Football. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  13. "Moldova national team managers". eu-football.info. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  14. FIFA member since 16 June 1994.
  15. Courtney, Barrie. "Moldova - International results". RSSSF. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
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