Mirel Rădoi, selecționer România U21: Încercăm să construim o generație și suntem pe drumul cel bun

Mirel Rădoi Reflects on U21 Team’s Performance After Victory Over Northern Ireland

Mirel Rădoi, the head coach of Romania’s U21 national football team, expressed satisfaction following the team’s 3-0 triumph against Northern Ireland on Monday night during the EURO 2020 qualifiers. However, he urged his players to maintain a level-headed approach.

Second Half Optimism

With a numerical advantage from the 38th minute, Rădoi was confident that his team would find the net after halftime:

„The second half seemed to be within our grasp. We aimed for quick ball movement. We are in the process of developing a new generation, and we are on the right track. While I was not pleased with the result in Denmark, our gameplay showed consistency. Beyond individual talent, we are focused on building a cohesive unit,” he stated.

Focus on Performance, Not Refereeing

Rădoi cautioned against distractions, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the game rather than officiating decisions. „I always remind them to concentrate on their performance. Players earn respect through determination and by captivating the audience. Currently, our team selection is based on attitude. It’s evident that all players possess quality. The competition for the top two spots is fierce among Romania, Denmark, and Ukraine. This doesn’t imply that our upcoming match against Finland will be straightforward, but with the right mindset and determination, we can overcome any opponent. The match against Finland will also take place here in Voluntari, as it simplifies logistics,” Rădoi added after the victory over Northern Ireland, during an interview on Pro X.

Recent Successes and Group Standings

This win marked Romania U21‘s second consecutive 3-0 victory in the qualifiers, following a similar result against Ukraine in Ploiești just days earlier.

After three matches in Group 8 of the 2021 European Championship qualifiers, Romania U21 currently sits in third place with six points. Denmark leads the group, having won all three of their matches.

Current Standings in Group 8

1. Denmark U21 – 9 points (3 matches)
2. Finland U21 – 7 points (4 matches)
3. Romania U21 – 6 points (3 matches)
4. Ukraine U21 – 3 points (3 matches)
5. Northern Ireland U21 – 2 points (4 matches)
6. Malta U21 – 1 point (3 matches)

Path to the Finals

At the final tournament in Hungary and Slovenia, the nine group winners and the best runner-up will qualify. The remaining eight second-placed teams will compete in a playoff for the final spots.

Source: News 24 Romania.