Romania’s national football team was held to a draw in Kazakhstan, on Tuesday evening, October 11, in their third match of the European qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The match ended 0-0 bringing Romania one point. The team thus ranks third in Group E, with 5 points, after Montenegro and Poland, who won their matches against Denmark and Armenia reaching 7 points each.

The Romanian footballers, however, paid a significant prize for their point in Kazakhstan as some of them were robbed at the hotel while others were battered on the pitch.

Some 12 Romanian players said they had between EUR 50 and EUR 300 stolen from their hotel rooms while they were out training, according to local DolceSport.ro.

Moreover, the Romanians also suffered losses on the pitch, due to the Kazakhs aggressive playing style. Romania’s captain, defender Dragos Grigore suffered a nasal bone fracture, after being hit with the elbow, and was replaced 11 minutes into the game. Winger Alex Chipciu suffered a muscle tear and was also replaced before half time. He will miss Romania’s next match against Poland.

Defender Cristian Sapunaru ended the match with six broken teeth, after being hit to the face, according to DigiSport.ro.

The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) announced it would file a complaint to UEFA against Portuguese referee Manuel de Sousa who failed to sanction the hosts rough play.

German Christoph Daum takes over as the new manager of the Romanian national football team

editor@romania-insider.com