Spain jeered off after losing 1-0 to Romania

CADIZ, Spain Nov 16 (Reuters) Romania carried out a classic smash-and-grab raid to beat Spain 1-0, with striker Ciprian Marica scoring the only goal in a friendly.

Spain controlled possession, as they often do, but failed to turn their dominance into goals and lost to an individual effort from the Shakhtar Donetsk player in the 58th minute yesterday.

Spain left the pitch at the end to a barrage of jeers and whistles.

Debutant David Silva of Valencia was Spain's brightest player in an unfamiliar lineup, and missed their best chance to equalise in the 64th minute.

After losing their last two Euro 2008 qualifiers in Group F, against Northern Ireland and Sweden, it is now three defeats from the last four games for Spain coach Luis Aragones.

Along with midfielder Silva, Spain had two other players winning their first caps with Javi Navarro and Angel starting in defence.

The home side started brightly, zipping the ball about and probing the visitors' well organised defence. Silva caught the eye down the left putting in an industrious, direct performance.

Romania's Daniel Coman was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, denying Silva, David Villa and Fernando Morientes, but Spain struggled to carve clear chances.

They were almost caught out just before the break when Romania broke on a swift counter-attack and Iker Casillas had to be quick off his line to deny Marica in a one-on-one.

The warning was not heeded. As Romania showed more purpose after the break, Marica, who has scored twice in Euro 2008 qualifiers, surged forward from midfield and fired low across goal into the far corner.

Soon after, Spain striker Villa hooked the ball back for Valencia team mate Silva, but the youngster's close-range volley hit Coman's legs on the line.

Romania, unbeaten and third in Group G, almost made it two when defender Cristian Chivu's free kick in the 72nd minute was spectacularly saved under the bar by Casillas.

Reuters PM DB0916