MICK McCARTHY admitted to being "highly impressed" after watching Romania retain their flawless record in Group Eight of the World Cup, European zone, qualifying series, with a 3-0 win over Macedonia in Skopje.
Three goals by former Tottenham Hotspur player, Gica Popescu, gave the Romanians an emphatic victory and they now move two points clear of the Republic of Ireland at the top of the table.
After Macedonia had dominated in the early stages, Popescu opened the scoring in the 37th minute and then stretched the lead on the stroke of half-time when he volleyed a fisted clearance by Celeski, the Macedonian goalkeeper, into the net from 30 yards.
Romania were in control in the second half and a minute from the end, Popescu scored from a penalty to swell their total of goals in three games to 0.
McCarthy, who was accompanied by his assistant, Ian Evans, said that it confirmed his impression that, technically, Romania are the best team in the group.
"They are strong in every department and it's going to take a very good team to beat them," he said. "Macedonia were all fired up for the game and, with the crowd behind them, should have been in front before Romania scored.
"Popescu's second strike was as good a goal as I've seen for a long time and with it the Romanians lost any inhibitions they may have had. Overall, it was a very convincing performance.
"That Macedonia lost, didn't greatly surprise me. If they hadn't it would have meant revising our plans for our visit to Skopje in April. But a 3-0 win away from home still represented a great day's work for the Romanian team."
McCarthy added: "Another reason for coming out here was to look things over for our game against Macedonia on April 2nd and I was pleased with what I saw.
"The playing surface in the stadium is a good one, the hotel in which we will be staying is first class and, overall, we. need have no fears about our visit."
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's improved fortunes in Group Nine continued with a 2-0 victory over Albania at Windsor Park on Saturday. lain Dowie scored both goals as Bryan Hamilton's team built on their highly creditable 0-0 draw away to European Champions Germany last month.
Germany visited Portugal on Saturday night and were fortunate to come away with a point after some fine goalkeeping by Andreas Koepke.
In Group Seven, Wales' slim chances of qualifying for France '98 suffered a further setback when they were held to a scoreless draw by Turkey in Cardiff. The result of the night however, came from Group Seven opponents Holland, who defeated close neighbours Belgium 3-0 in Brussels.
The Dutch, who demolished Wales 7-1 last month, now lead the section with a maximum nine points, two ahead of the Welsh who have played two games more.
