Politehnica Timisoara won three very important points today, in the 14th round of League 2, on the field of Fotbal Club Brasov. The white-violet team approached the second half of the match under the Tâmpa in an excellent way, especially after Erik Gerbi opened the scoring in the 55th minute, and our team won 1-0!

The first minutes between the two table neighbours before the weekend were quite fragmented by a few set pieces. The hosts benefited in the 10th minute from a free kick from a good position, but Constantin’s shot went over the crossbar. Brașovenii then controlled the ball more, with the white-violet having the first chances on the counter-attack amid a game left more free. But Radu (min. 21) and Doru Andrei, after a very good personal action, failed to beat Lungu. After these moments, our team evened out the possession situation. The last chances of the first half came from inside the box. But Bîrnoi (40), with a low shot deflected into a corner for Politehnica, and El Azzouzi, with a rebound off target after a corner kick for the Ardeleni, could not change the score either.

The score was to be opened ten minutes after the break. A clearance by Păduraru fooled Gherghe, the ball fell well for Gerbi, whose left-footed shot from the first – slightly side-footed – went through the legs of goalkeeper Lungu. The next minutes were much better for Nicolae Croitoru’s pupils, who could have increased their advantage at the 59th minute opportunity, when the same Gerbi headed over the goal from Bîrnoi’s cross. Brașovenii replied through Mihalcea (68) with a shot from outside the box, but off Păduraru’s right bar. The big chance for the hosts came 11 minutes before the end when H. Popa was blocked by Păduraru in the box. Then Radu (81) also challenged the Brasov goalkeeper, who turned a corner. From the resulting set-piece Mera could have made it 2-0, but sent wide from six yards.

It is worth noting that in the 80th minute a new “home-grown product” – Daniel Olariu (2004) – made his debut for Politehnica in official senior matches. And in the 88th minute our junior came close to a goal, Lungu again denied in the corner. Newcomer Sami Costea copied him two minutes later, this time with a shot from close range. Nothing important was scored in extra time and the white-violet achieved their goal today: 3 vital points in the standings!

After this result Politehnica remains in 15th position, but now has 14 points after 14 rounds. Next round the white-violet team will receive the reply of CSA Steaua.

FC Brasov: C. Lungu – Drăgoi, Gherghe, Al. Sabău, Dumbravă – Leonte, V. Constantin – R. Iorga, Vl. Mihalcea (74, I. Rosu), Boția (78, H. Popa) – El Azzouzi (78, Fustar). On the bench: Gârniță – R. Sburlea, D. Panait, A. Mitroi. Coach: Călin Moldovan.

POLITEHNICA: Păduraru – Sofran, Mera (captain), Scutaru, Pamfileu – D. Radu, Ignea, Zaluschi, D. Andrei (88, S. Costea) – Bîrnoi (80, D. Olariu), Gerbi (90+1, Bocșan). On the bench: Murariu – Moțiu, Prodan, Hațegan. Coach: Nicolae Croitoru.