Matchday Memories 1998 Viorel Is The Victor As England Go Down

Viorel in the Sky Blue

Thanks to CCFC historian Steve Phelps for the the words above excerpted from his book ‘Coventry City On This Day‘ (Pitch Publishing 2010) which reminds us of some interesting Sky Blue anniversaries.

On this day, at the 1998 World Cup finals in France, Sky Blues former Romanian centre-forward Viorel Moldovan helped his country beat England 2-1. Both countries were from the 15 UEFA countries that made the 32 qualifiers to the 16th Word Cup Finals at France ’98. Both were drawn in Group G and both got through the group stages, Viorel’s Romania team topping the group unbeaten and this was England‘s only defeat! Both went out, however, at the next knockout round of 16 games, the boys from England to Argentina and the Romanians to Croatia.

Viorel shoots……..

Viorel in Sky Blue action

Coming to the Sky Blues from Swiss side Grasshoppers in 1998 having developed his career there and in his homeland, Viorel, of course, gained a special place in the hearts of all Sky Blue fans.

During his very brief spell in England with CCFC in just fourteen Sky Blues games (scoring two goals) he managed to ensure bitter local rivals Aston Villa were knocked out of the F.A.Cup by City in the 5th Round in February 1998 in a rare victory at Villa Park.

His other goal came in the Premier League against Crystal Palace in a 3-0 win in February 1998.

….and scores past England’s David Seaman

Viorel was capped 70 times for his country scoring an impressive 25 goals between 1993-2005. Since 2008 he has been coaching in Romania (with Vaslui, Brasov, Sportul Studentesc and Rapid Bucuresti). Most recently Viorel has gained management experience in France (eg. with A.J.Auxerre in 2016) and, since 2018, back home with Chindia Târgoviste and Petrolul Ploiesti (2020-21).

He has also coached his national U21 side for a time (2014) and was assistant manager to the National side from 2014-16.

There was a member of the SBA in the crowd watching the action that day!

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young & Dean Nelson for sourcing the images.