Romania coach regrets not being able to finish off France

Anghel Iordanescu believes Romania can beat France, if his players take better advantage of their opportunities in the first 60 minutes of the opening match of Euro 2016 on June 10.

Romania were not highly rated going into the match at the Stade de France, but they made the Euro 2016 hosts tired for 90 minutes, with sharp counter-attacking play.

"We had a good match. We got into the rhythm in the first half and had a great chance to open the score, but the French goalkeeper did a great job of blocking it. If we had scored then, Romania could have steered the game in a different direction. After the break, we created trouble for their goal again, and unfortunately, Stancu missed again," coach Iordanescu did not hide his regret after the opening match on the evening of June 10.

Iordanescu did not hide his regret at the two missed opportunities his students had. Photo: Reuters.

The two situations he mentioned at the start of each half, and both went through the feet of striker Bogdan Stancu. He tapped the ball into the net from a corner kick in the fourth minute but could not beat goalkeeper Lloris. And in the 48th minute, when the French defense failed to fall into the offside trap, Stancu handled the ball somewhat carelessly with a volley that went wide.

At the time of both these missed chances, the score was not yet open. France had to wait until the 57th minute to break the tie thanks to Giroud. Although Romania equalized a few minutes later from a penalty caused by Evra, the Euro 2016 hosts still ended the match with a victory, thanks to Payet's superb curling goal in the 88th minute.

"It hurts to lose the game in the 88th minute. But it was a classy finish from a great striker," the Romania coach praised Payet - the star who had a great season in the West Ham shirt.

Payet's masterpiece. Photo: AFP.

The defeat in the opening match, according to Mr. Iordanescu, made Romania face many difficulties in the next match of Group A, against Switzerland on June 14.

"Only when you enter the locker room can you see how disappointed my players are. It is very difficult to restore their physical strength because they are really tired. Not to mention, the team's mentality is not good because of this defeat," he said.

According to VNE