Cyprus vs Moldova – News and Probable Lineups

After both suffered defeats in their earlier March friendly, Cyprus and Moldova will be eager to secure a victory to lift their spirits when they clash in Nicosia on Monday evening.

Neither team was close to World Cup qualification for the upcoming summer tournament, but they are already gearing up for a fresh UEFA Nations League campaign.

Match overview

Cyprus has never truly been a contender for their first major finals, finishing fourth in Group H of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, accumulating only eight points from as many matches.

In fact, they have secured only two victories from their last 11 matches across all competitions, with both wins coming against the underdog San Marino.

Currently ranked 128th globally by FIFA, Cyprus faced another setback on Thursday, losing 1-0 at home against Belarus despite having the majority of the ball.

Head coach Akis Mantzios is tasked with turning the team’s fortunes around, using this month’s training camp to evaluate his squad and hopefully gain momentum ahead of the Nations League.

This campaign begins in September, with Cyprus set to face Montenegro as well as Armenia and either Latvia or Gibraltar in Group C2.

While Moldova finished at the top of their previous Nations League group, briefly igniting hopes for a potential path into the World Cup playoffs, they have since struggled against more formidable opposition.

The Tricolorii found themselves at the bottom of Group I in the World Cup qualifiers, finishing the eight-game stage with just a single point and five goals scored.

Add to that a record-breaking 11-1 defeat to Norway, and their total conceded goals reached 37 by the time they were eliminated in November.

Midway through that campaign, former Under-19 head coach Lilian Popescu stepped in as head coach, but his team was once more defeated on Thursday.

With 12 games without a win now, Moldova lost 2-0 to Lithuania in Chisinau, and they will now travel to Nicosia in search of a much-needed victory.

The two teams have met only twice before, with each securing a 3-2 victory on one occasion, but the Tricolorii came out on top in their last encounter, which occurred in June 2024.

Team News

For the two home friendlies, Cyprus head coach Mantzios announced a squad of 25 players, with leading active scorer Ioannis Pittas remaining their standout player.

A few players received their first call-ups, particularly Omonoia Nicosia midfielder Panagiotis Andreou, a teenager who made his senior international debut recently.

Experienced midfielder Grigoris Kastanos, who came through Juventus’ youth ranks, has returned from Italy on loan to join Aris Limassol from Hellas Verona.

Moldova also boasts some of their young talents who play for a Serie A club: Torino duo Sergiu Perciun and Daniel Tonica are expected to feature on Monday.

However, they will be without Mihail Caimacov and key player Ion Nicolaescu due to injuries, while Oleg Reabciuk and Virgiliu Postolachi have been dropped from the squad.

In the absence of Nicolaescu, Petru Popescu made his debut against Lithuania and may continue as the striker in this match.

Cyprus probable starting XI:

Michael? Shikkis, S. Andreou, Panagiotou, Pileas; P. Andreou, C. Kyriakou, Kastanos; Loizou, Pittas, Kakoullis

Moldova probable starting XI:

Abraham; Revenco, Craciun, Baboglo, Gherasimencov, Forov; Rata, Perciun, Bodisteanu, Puscas; Popescu

Given the absence or injury of several key players, Moldova’s inexperienced squad may struggle to handle Cyprus on their home ground.

The hosts are expected to score more than once against a limited opposition, despite their own inadequacies.