Stefan Stoica was named the coach of the national football team after Alexandru Curteian tendered his resignation. The Romanian coach will lead Moldova in the October matches against Russia and Sweden, of the Euro 2016 qualifying rounds, and could extend his contract with the Moldovan Football Federation after the November friendly against Azerbaijan, IPN reports.

“I’m very happy and proud. For any coach, training the national football team is something nice and special. I will struggle fairly for the national team of Moldova and will make effort not to make mistakes. Those who deserve will play. I would like to train the national team of Moldova in the next qualifying rounds too,” Moldova coach Stefan Stoica told a news conference.

Stefan Stoica also trains Zimbru, which is the current National Division leader. He will make his debut at the national team of Moldova in the encounter against Russia that will take place in Chisinau on October 9. The Russian team is also prepared by a coach that trains a club team too. Leonid Slutski leads also the Russian championship leader CSKA Moscow.

Leading players Epureanu, Gatcan and Ionita will be absent from the match against Russia. The best footballer of 2014 Artur Ionita is to be operated for inguinal hernia in Munich on September 23 and will need three weeks to recover.