Play-off started with 1 “away” point: Dunărea Călăraşi – Politehnica Timișoara 0-0

Play-off started with 1 “away” point: Dunărea Călăraşi – Politehnica Timișoara 0-0

Politehnica drew this evening on the field of Dunărea Călăraşi, score 0-0, in the first stage of the League 2 play-off.

The white-violets were deprived today of the services of Ioan Mera (suspended), Ionuţ Cioinac and Claudiu Pamfile (injured). Also, the coach Dan Alexa served his second suspension round between the three dictated after the elimination from the game with Pandurii.

As in the previous duel, in the regular season, the match on the “Ion Comşa” arena was a good one, according to the “European” time and despite the rainy weather. The first important chances to score belonged to the white-violets. Ivanovici took the lead 5 minutes into the game, making the score 0 – 1 after some elegant movement down the middle. Denis Radu was the scorer. So that, two minutes later, Axente was blocked by the goalkeeper at the edge of the small box. The hosts had more possession and recorded no less than eight corners in the first half hour of the game. However, in the 23rd minute Codrea was also close to a success, but his shot also bypassed the bar to the left of Began. The end of the first half belonged to the Danube, but Otto Hindrich stood out every time. First at the “head” of V. Alexandru (min. 35) from seven meters, then at the free kick sent by Kanda (43), a phase that finally ended with Ciucur’s shot near the goal.

The second half was similar, with the hosts more insistent. But even so it could have been 0-1 in the 51st minute, when Axente shot from the return, Began rejected with difficulty and then managed to block the resumption of Ivanovici nearby. The hosts also had another important opportunity in the 71st minute, when the same Hindrich very well opposed Cârstocea’s shot from 14 meters. Our team could have scored after 88 minutes, when Ivanovici’s cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. In the next phase, after a tangled action in the white-purple square Valentin Alexandru saw the second yellow card, for protests. Newcomer Bud was also dangerous in the end, but Hindrich once again opposed in the second minute of extra time. On the counterattack, Ivanovici could have decided the game, but he was blocked by Began.

Politehnica currently climbed to 5th place, with 33 points. The next game of our team will be on the field of U Craiova 1948, duel scheduled for Saturday, April 10, at 14.00 (Digi), in the second stage of the League 2 play-off.

Dunărea Călăraşi: Began – Sîrbu *, Wiktorski, Ariel Lopez, Sălceanu ** – Cârstocea, Puşcaş, Ciucur (82, Djuric) – Alami (87, Bud), V. Alexandru (cpt.), Kanda. On the bench: Krell – Sava, Şandru, R. Crişan, An. Rus *, Acolatse, C. Petre **. Coach: Cristian Pustai.

Politehnica Timișoara: Hindrich ** – D. Radu ** (90 + 4, Jurj), Bocşan (78, Casado), Scutaru, S. Popovici – Codrea, Coadă – Munteanu (78, Manea), R. Rus (65, Ignea ), Ivanovici – Agent (78, Plazonja). On the bench: Păduraru – Sofran *, Radunovic, D. Andrei **. Coach: Antonio Foale

* -U20 player; ** – U18 player

Photo: Cristian Roger Neteda