Euro 2016

[monks data]

European Championship | Qualifiers

Oct 8, 2015 at 7.45pm UK

Romania Romania
1-1
Finland

Hoban (91')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Pohjanpalo (66')

Match Report

Football

Late Ovidiu Hoban strike rescues vital point for Romania against Finland

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter

Published: October 8 2015 | 21:37

Last updated: October 9 2015 | 20:12

Ovidiu Hoban strikes at the death to salvage a vital point in the Euro 2016 qualification hopes of Romania in their clash against Finland at the National Arena.

Ovidiu Hoban has struck in the 91st minute to salvage a vital point for Romania against Finland and boost their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016.

Lucian Sanmartean (L) of Romania is tackled by Markus Halsti of Finland during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Romania and Finland on October 8, 2015 in Bucharest, Romania. © Getty Images

The home side had the first opening of the game when Bogdan Stancu was afforded space and time to strike the ball at goal from outside the box, but he sent his effort just over the bar.

Finland hit back and Joel Pohjanpalo did well to latch on to Jere Uronen's cross into the box, but the forward saw his effort saved by Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Romania threatened as Lucian Sanmartean whipped the ball into the box from the left from a corner, and his delivery caused havoc in the six-yard box before Lukas Hradecky punched the ball to safety.

The home side continued to exert pressure on Finland and Gabriel Torje almost broke the deadlock as he fired at goal from the edge of the box, only to see his strike saved by Hradecky.

In the second half, the visitors took the lead in the 66th minute when Pohjanpalo was allowed to shoot at goal from outside the box and the striker found the top corner.

Teemu Pukki could have doubled the visitors' lead late in the game as he raided through on goal, but he was denied by a fine save from Tatarusanu.

However, Romania secured a vital point in their qualification hopes as Hoban struck right at the death when he fired home from close range following a failed clearance from the visitors.

The result keeps Romania in second place in Group F, one point ahead Hungary going into the final round of fixtures on Sunday.