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Uncapped three selected by Romania

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Romania coach Victor Piturca has picked three uncapped players for this Saturday's friendly against World Cup qualifiers Ivory Coast.

Romania, who failed to qualify for the 2006 finals and canceled a four-nation tournament in Iran earlier this month, will play the match in Le Mans, France.

Steaua Bucharest defender Mihai Nesu, midfielder Costin Lazar of Sportul Studentesc Bucharest and striker Cosmin Tilinca of CFR Cluj are the new faces.

Romania squad:

Goalkeepers: Bogdan Lobont (Ajax), Daniel Coman (Rapid Bucharest);

Defenders: Flavius Stoican, Razvan Rat (both Shakhtar Donetsk), Gabriel Tamas (Dinamo Bucharest), Adrian Iencsi (Spartak Moscow) Dorin Goian, Mihai Nesu (both Steaua Bucharest), Cristian Chivu (Roma)

Midfielders: Valentin Badoi (Rapid Bucharest), Costin Lazar (Sportul Studentesc Bucharest), Nicolae Dica, Sorin Paraschiv, Gabriel Bostina, Banel Nicolita (all Steaua Bucharest), Razvan Cocis (Sheriff Tiraspol), Dorinel Munteanu (CFR Cluj), Laurentiu Rosu (Recreativo Huelva);

Forwards: Cosmin Tilinca (CFR Cluj), Ionut Mazilu (Sportul Studentesc), Daniel Niculae (Rapid), Adrian Mutu (Juventus).

Hagi handed coach position

Meanwhile, former Romania playmaker Gheorghe Hagi has taken over as coach of first division Politehnica Timisoara.

"The people here want to be the best and I want to help them become just that," said Hagi. "I like to work with long-term plans and Timisoara offer me that opportunity. I have returned to the championship to do a good job and to help push Romanian football forward."

Cosmin Olaroiu became the fourth Romanian club coach to resign this season when he left fourth-placed Politehnica on Sunday.

Local media said that his replacement Hagi would be paid around 400,000 euros per year, the highest for a coach in Romania.

Hagi resigned as coach of Turkish side Galatasaray in May.

The former Romania international played for Galatasaray from 1996 up until his retirement in 2001, helping the side to four domestic titles and a UEFA Cup triumph.

He then coached Romania's national side for six months, resigning after they failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

In 2003, he returned to Turkey as coach of Bursaspor before taking over at Galatasaray in March 2004.

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