Goal Programme - Football Association of Moldova - 2001

Football is the most popular sport in Moldova, a country that gained independence in 1991. The national association takes part in all competitions organised by FIFA and UEFA at senior level, as well as the majority of tournaments at youth level and in women's football. In an attempt to ensure the continuous, sustained development of football across the whole country, the needs and priorities of the 10 regional associations are constantly checked and solutions sought. The national team recently surprised many observers with a 1-0 victory over Austria during qualifying for EURO 2004. The Moldovans were also highly unfortunate to lose to group favourites the Netherlands shortly before the final whistle, but it was a result that gave the country great heart.

On 22 August 2002, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter inaugurated an artificial turf pitch laid within the Vadul lui Voda technical centre. The pitch is approximately 20km outside of the capital city of Chisinau and was financed by the Goal Programme. It is part of a newly constructed facility, built with the help of the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme. As well as this new artificial turf pitch, the complex also has two grass pitches, a hotel, dressing rooms, study rooms, a restaurant, a medical centre. The national teams will hold their training camps in this new complex, which will save the national association a great deal of money in terms of accommodation and pitch rental fees. Moldova has 12 national/representative teams, which will ensure that the new facilities are used on a frequent basis. The national association will also take the requirements of clubs into account, allowing any interested teams to train on the artificial pitch.