Team news

Hizo confident ahead of Zurich trip Vaslui coach Viorel Hizo is confident his side can get the result they need against FC Zurich to secure their passage to the knockout stage of the Europa League.

The Romanian side travel to Switzerland knowing if they match Lazio's result at home to Group D winners Sporting Lisbon they will be through.

FC Zurich have not won in seven European matches but Vaslui's record away from home in continental competition is even poorer, with three draws and five defeats since August 2008.

"We expect a difficult match but I hope we get a good result that will allow us to move on," Hizo told Agerpress in Romania.

"It will be difficult but not impossible. It will be more difficult to play in Zurich than at home.

"But we must believe in our chances." Zurich are bottom of the table with just two points and are playing only for pride.

But coach Urs Fischer has urged his side to sign off their final match of 2011 - the Swiss league has entered its winter break - with a good performance.

"We want to conclude our European adventure with a positive result, it is our goal," Agerpress quoted him saying.

"It's important for us to conclude a good season and begin preparing better part of two of the championship.

"This is the last game of the year, after which we will resume competition in February.

"We will prepare this match like any other, nothing special. I have my methods and my program, I will not change anything.

FC Zurich vs FC Vaslui

Last modified 20:07 14/12/11

Vaslui out of Europa League after defeat FC Vaslui missed out on qualification for the Europa League knockout stage as they were were beaten 2-0 by FC Zurich in their final Group D clash.

Lazio beat the Romanians to second spot as they claimed a 2-0 win at home to pool leaders Sporting Lisbon.

Vaslui started the night level on points with the Rome side, but knowing they just needed to match Lazio's result to progress courtesy of their better head-to-head record.

But they came unstuck against a Zurich outfit bottom of the group and out of contention, with Xavier Margairaz opening the scoring with a 69th-minute goal and Oliver Buff making the points safe at the death.

Zurich, without a win in the group, started brightly and Margairaz and Admir Mehmedi both fired off target from in and around the area.

Amine Chermiti then had a shot blocked by defender Zhivko Milanov as the Swiss side continued to push forward.

But the Romanians almost went ahead in the 21st minute when Yero Bello's drilled effort from the right of the area was tipped round the post by Andrea Guatelli.

Vaslui again found themselves on the back foot, though, as Dusan Djuric curled a 25-yard free-kick into the arms of visiting goalkeeper Vytautas Cerniauskas.

With Lazio scoring either side of half-time to take control of their match at home to Sporting, Vaslui needed a goal to keep their hopes of progression alive.

Adailton tried his luck from 25 yards only for Guatelli to parry his effort and the Brazilian striker then headed over the top.

But Vaslui's task became even harder when Chaker Zouaghi laid the ball off to Margairaz, who curled a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner.

The visitors almost went further behind minutes later, but Adrian Nikci's effort was blocked.

William Gerlem brought a comfortable save out of Guatelli as Vaslui looked for an equaliser, but their hopes disappeared in the 90th minute.