Moldova national football team

Moldova
AssociationFederația Moldovenească de Fotbal (FMF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachSerghei Cleșcenco
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 180 1 (31 March 2022)[1]
Highest37 (April 2008)
Lowest181 (October 2021)
First international
Unofficial
 Moldova 2–4 Georgia 
(Chişinău, Moldavian SSR; 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.

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss

2021

3 June 2021 Friendly Turkey  2–0  Moldova Paderborn, Germany
19:00 UTC+2
  • Yılmaz 58'
  • Ünder 77'
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[2]
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

2022

18 January 2022 Friendly Moldova  2–3  Uganda Belek, Turkey
17:00 UTC+3 Mandrîcenco 10'
M. Plătică 13'
Report Kaddu 34' (pen.), 74' (pen.)
Karisa 64'
Stadium: Titanic Deluxe Belek Football Center
Referee: Melis Özçiğdem (Turkey)
24 March 2022 (2022-03-24) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Moldova  1–2  Kazakhstan Chișinău, Moldova
18:00 (19:00 UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece)
29 March 2022 (2022-03-29) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Kazakhstan  0–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–2 agg.)
(5–4 p)
 Moldova Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
16:00 (20:00 UTC+6) Report
Stadium: Astana Arena
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)
Penalties
Note: 2–2 on aggregate. Kazakhstan won 5–4 on penalties
3 June 2022 (2022-06-03) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League Liechtenstein  v  Moldova Vaduz, Liechtenstein
20:45 Report Stadium: Rheinpark Stadion
6 June 2022 (2022-06-06) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League Andorra  v  Moldova Andorra la Vella, Andorra
20:45 Report Stadium: Estadi Nacional
10 June 2022 (2022-06-10) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League Moldova  v  Latvia
20:45
14 June 2022 (2022-06-14) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League Moldova  v  Andorra
20:45
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League Latvia  v  Moldova
20:45
25 September 2022 (2022-09-25) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League Moldova  v  Liechtenstein
20:45

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League play-outs matches against Kazakhstan on 24 and 29 March 2022.[3]

Caps and goals are correct as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Kazakhstan.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Stanislav Namașco (1986-11-10) 10 November 1986 56 0 Keşla
1GK Nicolai Cebotari (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 0 0 Petrocub Hîncești
1GK Dorian Răilean (1993-10-13) 13 October 1993 1 0 Unirea Dej

2DF Igor Armaș (1987-07-14) 14 July 1987 74 6 Voluntari
2DF Veaceslav Posmac (1990-11-07) 7 November 1990 52 2 Tuzlaspor
2DF Ion Jardan (1990-01-10) 10 January 1990 46 0 Petrocub Hîncești
2DF Vadim Bolohan (1986-08-15) 15 August 1986 34 0 Milsami Orhei
2DF Oleg Reabciuk (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 33 0 Olympiacos
2DF Artur Crăciun (1998-06-29) 29 June 1998 7 0 Tsarsko Selo Sofia
2DF Denis Marandici (1996-09-18) 18 September 1996 6 0 Celje
2DF Ioan-Călin Revenco (2000-06-26) 26 June 2000 6 0 Petrocub Hîncești
2DF Daniel Dumbravanu (2001-07-22) 22 July 2001 3 0 Siena
2DF Denis Furtună (1999-10-13) 13 October 1999 0 0 Bălți

3MF Artur Ioniță (1990-08-17) 17 August 1990 63 3 Benevento
3MF Sergiu Plătică (1991-06-09) 9 June 1991 30 0 Petrocub Hîncești
3MF Vadim Rață (1993-05-05) 5 May 1993 27 1 Voluntari
3MF Cristian Dros (1998-04-15) 15 April 1998 12 0 Slavia Mozyr
3MF Mihail Caimacov (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 12 0 Slaven Belupo
3MF Iaser Țurcan (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 7 0 Petrocub Hîncești
3MF Corneliu Cotogoi (2001-06-23) 23 June 2001 5 0 Petrocub Hîncești
3MF Marius Iosipoi (2000-04-28) 28 April 2000 5 0 Petrocub Hîncești
3MF Dmitri Mandrîcenco (1997-05-13) 13 May 1997 3 1 Motor Lublin
3MF Mihai Plătică (1990-03-15) 15 March 1990 4 1 Petrocub Hîncești
3MF Nichita Moțpan (2001-07-17) 17 July 2001 0 0 Bălți

4FW Radu Gînsari (1991-12-10) 10 December 1991 47 7 Xanthi
4FW Ion Nicolaescu (1998-11-07) 7 November 1998 25 5 Maccabi Petah Tikva
4FW Vitalie Damașcan (1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 17 2 Sepsi OSK
4FW Virgiliu Postolachi (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 3 0 Mouscron

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months.[4]

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Cristian Avram (1994-07-27) 27 July 1994 8 0 Buzău v.  South Korea, 21 January 2022
GK Emil Tîmbur (1997-07-21) 21 July 1997 1 0 Milsami Orhei v.  South Korea, 21 January 2022
GK Dumitru Celeadnic (1992-04-23) 23 April 1992 2 0 Sheriff Tiraspol v.  Austria, 15 November 2021
GK Sebastian Agachi (2000-09-25) 25 September 2000 0 0 FC Bălți v.  Faroe Islands, 7 September 2021
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

DF Artiom Litveacov (1996-10-23) 23 October 1996 2 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  South Korea, 21 January 2022
DF Maxim Potîrniche (1989-06-13) 13 June 1989 14 0 Petrocub Hîncești v.  Uganda, 18 January 2022
DF Artiom Rozgoniuc (1995-10-01) 1 October 1995 13 0 Maktaaral v.  Austria, 15 November 2021
DF Iurie Iovu (2002-07-06) 6 July 2002 1 0 Cagliari v.  Austria, 15 November 2021
DF Igor Arhirii (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 2 0 1599 Șelimbăr v.  Turkey, 3 June 2021
DF Alexandru Epureanu (1986-09-27) 27 September 1986 100 7 İstanbul Başakşehir v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
DF Maxim Focșa (1992-04-21) 21 April 1992 1 0 Dordoi Bishkek v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE

MF Alexandru Antoniuc (1989-05-23) 23 May 1989 48 3 Milsami Orhei v.  South Korea, 21 January 2022
MF Alexandr Belousov (1998-05-14) 14 May 1998 4 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  South Korea, 21 January 2022
MF Victor Bogaciuc (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 3 0 Petrocub Hîncești v.  South Korea, 21 January 2022
MF Eugeniu Cociuc (1993-05-11) 11 May 1993 27 0 Pyunik Yerevan v.  Austria, 15 November 2021
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 Zimbru Chișinău 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 Nea Artaki v.  Israel, 31 March 2021
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 Panserraikos v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2021 PRE

FW Maxim Cojocaru (1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 5 0 Petrocub Hîncești v.  South Korea, 21 January 2022
FW Danu Spătaru (1994-05-24) 24 May 1994 22 0 Ararat-Armenia v.  Uganda, 18 January 2022
FW Vladimir Ambros (1993-12-30) 30 December 1993 12 1 Petrocub Hîncești v.  Uganda, 18 January 2022 PRE
FW Artiom Puntus (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 4 0 Kukësi v.  Uganda, 18 January 2022 PRE
FW Mihail Ghecev (1997-11-05) 5 November 1997 4 0 Sfîntul Gheorghe v.  Scotland, 12 October 2021
FW Nicolae Milinceanu (1992-08-01) 1 August 1992 15 2 AEL Limassol v.  Faroe Islands, 7 September 2021
FW Nicky Cleșcenco (2001-07-23) 23 July 2001 3 0 Sion v.  Faroe Islands, 7 September 2021
FW Alexandru Bejan (1996-05-07) 7 May 1996 0 0 Zimbru Chișinău 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 29 March 2022[5][6]
Players in bold are still active with Moldova.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Position Staff
Head coach Serghei Cleșcenco
Assistant coachs Vitalie Culibaba
Sergiu Secu
Goalkeeping coach Denis Romanenco
Fitness coach Alexei Scorpan

Last updated: 30 March 2021
Source: FMF

Manager history

Former forward and all-time top goalscorer of Moldova is the current head coach of Moldova national team since December 2021.[7]

Statistics correct as of match played on 21 January 2022[8]
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
Serghei Cleșcenco 2022– 2 0 0 2 000.00

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[9]
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 802631348th
2022–23 D To be determined
Total 14 2 5 7 7 18 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 14347718–1121.4350.00
Total1502026104102303–20113.3369.33

Head-to-head record

Last match updated was against  Austria on 15 November 2021.[10]

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. "Israel vs. Moldova". Union of European Football Associations. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  3. Daghi, Victor (11 March 2022). "Lotul lărgit al Naționalei pentru meciurile din Liga Națiunilor" [National team's extended group for Nations League matches]. fmf.md (in Romanian). Moldovan Football Federation.
  4. 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.
  5. "Most Moldova caps". EU Football. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  6. "Top Moldova Goal Scorers". EU Football. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  7. Daghi, Victor (3 December 2021). "Serghei Cleșcenco, noul selecționer al Moldovei" [Serghei Cleșcenco, the new manager of Moldova]. fmf.md (in Romanian). Moldovan Football Federation.
  8. "Moldova national team managers". eu-football.info. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  9. FIFA member since 16 June 1994.
  10. Courtney, Barrie. "Moldova - International results". RSSSF. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
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