Romania apply full throttle

ROMANIA'S sweeper Georghe Popescu took the scoring honours with four of his side's eight as they blitzed minnows Liechtenstein 8-0 in Bucharest on Saturday, to move five points clear of the Republic of Ireland and Macedonia, who face each other on Wednesday. Romania, who play Lithuania on the same day, are now favourites to top group eight.

Popescu, the former Tottenham midfielder, was on target after 29 and 30 minutes after Ion Moldovan, who had a first minute effort disallowed, had hit the opener for Romania on 10 minutes.

And he then bagged a further two goals after the break to take the Romanians to a maximum 12 points. Gheorghe Hagi, Chelsea's Dan Petrescu and second half sub Gheorghe Craioveanu were also on target.

Elsewhere, Albania went down by the only goal to Ukraine in their group nine qualifier in Grenada, Spain, before a crowd of just 500. Sergi Rebrov hit the decisive goal on 39 minutes in a match switched from Albania because of political strife in the impoverished Balkan state.

Albania will remain in Grenada for their game with Germany on Wednesday. Ukraine, who play Northern Ireland on the same day, retain high hopes of qualifying. They currently stand second in the table on goal difference behind Portugal.

In group seven, Wales's disastrous campaign continued as they lost 2-1 at home to Belgium. First half goals from Bertrand Crasson and Lorenzo Staelens set the visitors on their way. Gary Speed gave Wales a glimmer of hope with a header in the 67th minute, but Belgium held out for a comfortable victory, to virtually end the home country's hopes of qualification.

Nottingham Forest striker Pierre van Hooijdonk was on target as Holland beat San Marino 4-0 in Amsterdam to extend theirs 100 per cent record in the same group. Frank de Boer (2) and Patrick Kluivert also scored. The Dutch will be virtually certain to qualify if they win in Turkey on Wednesday.

Croatia had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a crucial tie against Denmark in Split, after a strong wind diverted a Brian Laudrup cross into the top corner of the net with only eight minutes left.

The home team held the initiative for much of the game but failed to convert several chances, thanks mainly to Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

But five minutes into the second half Croatia's top scorer Davor Suker did manage to tip the ball over Schmeichel after a cross by Robert Jarni from the left.

Laudrup's late equaliser however, means Denmark have now drawn level with Greece at the top of group one on seven points but have played one game fewer. Croatia are in third, two points adrift.

The surprise result of the night came in group five, where pacesetters, Russia, were held to a 1-1 draw in Cyprus.