Mutu revives Romania hopes after 2-0 win over Czechs

By Radu Timofte

CONSTANTA, Romania, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Juventus striker Adrian Mutu fired Romania to a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday to revive their hopes of reaching next year's World Cup finals.

Defeat was a major blow to the Czech Republic's chances of automatic qualification from Group One.

"We played a great match," Romania coach Victor Piturca told reporters. "It was one of our best performances for years but also a painful reminder of the points we have lost in earlier qualifiers."

The Netherlands have 25 points from nine matches, three ahead of second-placed Romania who have played two games more and face Finland away in their final game next month. The Czechs have 21 from nine matches.

Mutu, who scored twice against Andorra last month, netted his first in the 26th minute from Razvan Rat's cross. The former Chelsea striker added a second 20 minutes into the second half.

Romania's 37-year-old midfielder Dorinel Munteanu won his 126th cap to overtake Gheorghe Hagi's national record while Piturca opted for an experimental frontline of Razvan Cocis of Sheriff Tiraspol and Sportul Studentesc's Ionut Mazilu supporting Mutu.

Jan Koller hit the post for the away side in the second half and the lacklustre Czechs, who had scored 14 goals in their last two qualifiers, spurned other good chances.

"Our chances of automatic qualification are seriously compromised now," said Czech coach Karel Bruckner.

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