Poli waited a long time for a victory in the Second League. Since 3 December, when, in the last match of last year, the white-violet beat FK Csikszereda Miercurea Ciuc, also 2-1 at the “Science”! What’s more, in both these games, the score was the same: 1-0 at half-time, then 2-0 and 2-1.

The new Polist coach, ex-international Paul Codrea, started extremely bravely, with three “under” players, including the 2006-born Aurel Vlaicu. With a new pair of closers in the middle, T. Călin – Târșa. New captain, winger Gavra.

From the 14th minute, the hosts open the scoring. Gîdea receives a long pass on the right, uses his speed, enters the box, subtly gets past two opponents and sends it into the bottom corner, alone with the goalkeeper. Just a minute later, the guests ask for a penalty when D. Radu knocks the ball off the goal line. The Harghitans press. They build patiently, they dominate. Timisoara take a step back and wait for the opportunity to strike on the counter-attack. In the 36th minute, Oanea takes it on his own on the left, makes a sensational run, gets past three opponents and sends it to the left corner, but the goalkeeper defends. A minute before half-time, Murariu pulls a goal back. From a free-kick on the left, Panos heads home from the box, but the hosts’ goalkeeper stretches incredibly. Immediately after the resulting corner, Marincu cleverly passes to Gîdea, who hits the ball over the keeper and just over the crossbar. In the first minute of extra time, Murariu pulls one back from Jebari’s shot. It’s off to the dressing rooms.

Poli start the second half much higher. The pressing is more sustained, the opponents are not allowed to get so close to the blue and white box. And here comes the 2-0 goal. Also scored by Gîdea (what a game the player on loan from CFR Cluj played!), found alone in the box by captain Gavra, with a pass from the right. 66th minute. The guests reduce the handicap seven minutes later. From a penalty, awarded for a foul on Stancic and converted by the stopper Apro, a former Ripensia player. Ex-Polist Schieb comes in (Bakoș, a junior on loan from Poli, will remain a substitute).

Codrea throws in two other players from his own nursery, Boariu (b. 2006) and Eric Adam. The latter (b. 2007) was coached by Paul Codrea himself at junior level and is the nephew of Octavian Roșca, the former Polist midfielder of the 70s and 80s. Two other juniors, Țurcaș (b. 2004) and Mario Oprea (b. 2005), were on the bench.

In the 90th+3rd minute, Jebari hits the crossbar. What a match! 2-1, final. The players salute the fans in the South Stand. We’re taking our chances, right to the end.

We’ll be back with statements.

Polytechnic: Murariu – D. Radu, Bocșan, Vlaicu, Taub – T. Călin, Târșa – Gîdea (79, Tiihonen), Marincu (90+1, E. Adam), Oanea (80, Porumb) – Gavra (c) (79, Boariu). Reserves: D. Moldovan – Țurcaș, M. Oprea. Coach: Paul Codrea

FK Csikszereda: Gyenge – Romeo (67, Csiszer), Kelemen (c), Apro, M. Kovacs – Gal-Andrezly (76, Jelena), Gheralia (67, El Sawy), Panos (60, Veres), L. Kovacs, Jebari, Stancic (76, Schieb). Reserves: Moga – Bakoș, Eperjesi, Csürös. Coach: Robert Ilyes