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Romania drudge frustrates France

09/06/2008

An uninspired-looking France failed to force a win against Romania, slipping to a 0-0 draw in the first of Euro 2008's 'group of death' fixtures in Zurich.

Romania seemed content to cling on for a valuable point throughout the turgid 90 minutes at the Letzigrund Stadium, while France never generated the required tempo to unsettle the so-called minnows of group C.

Raymond Domenech's side dominated possession and generated the best chances of the game. But they were never able to shake off the stultifying torpor imposed by the Romanians, whose Adrian Mutu and Daniel Niculae nevertheless rustled up wide long-range efforts in the match's first minutes.

Scrappy opening exchanges were replaced with a war of attrition in which France's lacklustre players were frustrated by the Romanian defence. Punctuating the boredom were three yellow cards for Romania - Niculae, Cosmin Contra and Dorin Goian continued a poor disciplinary record for the side with the most yellows in the qualifying stages.

The best chance of the first half fell to Nicolas Anelka, who otherwise had a dull game. He reacted well on 32 minutes to get in a header after the ball had already bounced from the far post. The effort drifted wide of the crossbar, leaving Bogdan Lobont untroubled.

Hope for revived interest flared as a rejuvenated France emerged from the dressing room for the start of the second half. Florent Malouda generated a real opportunity on 48 minutes, cutting inside to give himself room on the left-hand-side. But he could not win enough time to ensure he was on target and the ball sailed over the bar.

The game then lapsed into the dismal torpor which had dominated proceedings in the first half. Karim Benzema created a half-chance after turning well but dragged his effort wide, before Domenech swapped him for Samir Nasri in a desperate effort to shake the match up.

It failed. Romania even managed to seize the momentum in the dying moments, conjuring two corners in the final ten minutes.

They did not capitalise on these to shock the World Cup runners-up, despite an impressive driving volley from Razvan Rat, but will be happy with their point as they played out the three minutes of stoppage time without facing pressure from the below-par French side.