Article by Marius Mărgărit – published Monday, October 13, 2025, 21:13 / Updated Monday, October 13, 2025 21:13
Despite the age and health problems, but also the late match of the match, Emeric Ienei (88 years old), the former coach who led Romania to the 1990 World Cup, watched the entire match Romania – Austria (1-0).
From his home in Oradea, “Nea I” remained in front of the television and in the comments and statements that were made after the dispute after which the “tricolors” returned, and with more theoretical chances, in the fight for the head of group H, after this success against the team led by Ralf Rantnick.
Today, during the dialogue with GSP.ro, the former technician watched another match, the one between the U20 representatives of Romania and the Czech Republic, finally concluded with the victory of the guests (5-1).
“I notice Ghiță, who believed, even in the last seconds, he could do something and even did”
Emeric Iena says that “I saw the whole match with Austria and impressed me how our team played. I saw what Mircea asked for before the match, to play so that they would not be ashamed at the end of the match. And after the victory they congratulated him.
I also told my students, at Steaua, to the national team, about the same kind of things. Regardless of figures, salaries, what status opponents have, you never have to start from the idea that you are ready, you have no chance. But to fight, to show them that you can be better than them.
Look, Austria, even though he had the first chance, didn't matter. And this is because Romania played so well, with ambition, with intelligence and blocked everything. He even had more opportunities. “
He continued saying that “It's hard to find the best player at such a match, when the team was the key. But I would nominate Ghiță, the one who scored the goal.
Because, although the last seconds were, he went there, in the box, he thought he could do something and even did. Now, these boys have lifted the pole and everyone will want to see that in the next matches they will play at the same level. Because they have shown that they can. “
“To take the job to the end”
Following everything that happens, Emeric Iena did not escape the announcement of Mircea Lucescu that he could leave the national before the March dams: “How to do this? Mircea, don't give up! You took the team here, you have to do your job to the end!
Look, Romanian football has resources, we have players who have the willing to fight for the national team. It is also his merit that he made him believe. So he has to go together to the end! I have great confidence in Mircea and national. The boys really impressed me. And they keep their fists, to reach the World Championship again! “.
