BUGAEV GOAL EARNS MOLDOVA 1-0 WIN AGAINST BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 13,2007) - Bosnia's hopes of qualifying for for the finals of Euro 2008 suffered a major setback with a home defeat by Moldova.

Igor Bugaev scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half and the visitors held on despite some heavy pressure from the Bosnian side in the closing minutes.

Bosnia, already reeling from a 1-0 loss in Hungary on Saturday, are now four points adrift of second place in Group C with only three games left.

Moldova had the first chance after nine minutes but Bugaev's shot lacked the power to beat Bosnian keeper Adnan Guso.

The visitors' enterprising approach in the early stages got the reward after 22 minutes when Bugaev put them in front.

Alexandru Gatcan provided the pass from the right flank and Bugaev took his chance well, slotting into the left-hand corner.

Moldova continued to press forward against Bosnia which looked completely off colour.

Guso saved Epureanu's long-range free-kick and only a brave block by home defender Safet Nadarevic denied Anatolie Doros' shot finding the back of the net after 35 minutes.

Bosnia finally registered an effort on goal four minutes before the break, Dragan Blatnjak's shot producing a fine save from Moldova keeper Nicolai Calancea.

Gatcan almost made it 2-0 before half-time while, at the other end, another smart save from Calancea kept out a Berberovic effort.

Bosnia came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half but they were almost caught out with the sucker punch when, on a breakaway, Victor Comlenoc hit the post from six yards.

The chance came as a wake-up call to Bosnia, who twice came close to levelling.

First,Muslimovic drilled a shot over the bar and then Dzeko shot wide when he ought to have hit the target with 10 minutes to go.

The Bosnian fans were expecting a late onslaught at the Moldovan goal and it duly arrived.

Berberovic went close in the 90th minute but his shot rebounded off the post.

Calancea was in the right place to save Dzeko's header while deeper into injury-time.

And there was still time for Moldova hero Calancea to save another effort from Berberovic.

Moldova remain bottom but will hope to put that right against Turkey or Malta in October, when Bosnia face fellow contenders Greece and Norway.


Teams:

Bosnia: Guso, Berberovic, Bajic, Nadarevic,Radeljic (Ibisevic 46), Rahimic, Maletic (Custovic 78),Zeba (Damjanovic 47), Blatnjak, Muslimovic, Dzeko.

Subs Not Used: Mujkic, Bozic, Bartolovic, Milosevic.

Booked: Guso.

Moldova: Calancea, Epureanu, Lascenov, Golovatenco, Rebeja,Comlenoc (Namasco 63), Corneencov, Gatcan (Josan 85), Bordian,Bugaev, Doros (Rogachiov 73).

Subs Not Used: Pascenco, Zmeu, Bulgaru.

Booked: Corneencov, Lascenov, Bugaev.

Goals: Bugaev 22. 0-1

Att: 4,000

Ref: Jouni Hyytia (Finland).