The white-violet lost the game played today at the “Science” arena in the 19th round of League 2, the last of the regular season. Politehnica – FC Hermannstadt ended 1-2 (1-1) and our team will start the play-out in group A from the play-off position. Octavian Ursu scored for us in the 45th minute.

On a rather hard surface, but also in front of about 1,500 fans, Poli had the first important chance. Ursu broke into the box on the left side, was blocked by the goalkeeper, then sent the ball to Gerbi in front of goal, but the Italian shot into a defender’s block. Sibenians opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Opruț got a ball into our box ahead of Păduraru and passed to Daniel Paraschiv, who put the ball into the net. The white-violet had the answer. First Doru Andrei (min. 39) shot over the goal from Zaluschi’s cross. Then, with less than a minute left in the first half, Tavi Ursu was released deep, took the ball outside the box and superbly curled it past Muțiu for 1-1!

Unfortunately at the start of the second half the guests went back into the lead following an equally beautiful goal scored by ex-Violet Călin Popescu (47), a shot to the right of Păduraru. After this moment the game became even more fragmented and chances became fewer and fewer. However, the equaliser could have come either when Ignea (72) headed in Sofran’s cross or in the 88th minute when Mera headed the ball ahead of Antoche, then collided with him, but the game was allowed to continue.

Following this defeat, Politehnica were left with 21 points accumulated after the first part of the season and will start the play-out from a play-off place. Group A is made up of Csikszereda (33 points), Metaloglobus (28), Poli Iasi (25), Șelimbăr (23), Călărași (7 – one game to go) and Brăila (2). The draw for this phase of the championship will be made on Monday 14 March at 11:00.

Politehnica Timișoara: Păduraru – D. Radu, Mera (captain), Bocșan, Oanea – D. Andrei (66, Sofran), R. Lazăr (86, Vukoje), Ignea, Ursu – Zaluschi (66, Iamandache), Gerbi (46, Sîntean). On the bench: Devenish-Meares – Plumbuitu, Huminic, Olariu, Bîrnoi. Coach: Nicolae Croitoru

FC Hermannstadt: Mutiu – Pantea, Bejan, Antoche, Opruț – Mino Sota, Biceanu – P. Petrescu (captain, 70, Balaure), I. Năstăsie (70, Buhăcianu), C. Popescu (90+2, Bucuroiu) – D. Paraschiv (58, Hora). On the bench: I. Pop – I. Stoica, Issah, Tomșa, Blejdea. Coach: Marius Măldărășanu

Photo: Leczki Jozsi