Politehnica left the Romanian Cup, but did it with dignity. The extremely youthful white-violet team clung on to the much more experienced Dumbrăviței side, and the fate of qualification was decided only when the final whistle blew.

The score was opened in the 24th minute, when the guests scored through Anișorac , with a shot from the box, after Enășescu had intervened in a dangerous phase. Poli showed their fangs at the end of the half. In the 39th minute they have the chance to equalize, but they finish with a shot from the box. In min 45+2, the young striker Avramescu headed the ball under the crossbar for a corner.

In the 48th minute, the junior goalkeeper Enășescu defends a heavy ball. Six minutes later, Sima shoots over. In the 58th minute, Avramescu sensationally shoots against the crossbar from 25 meters! A minute later, new transfer Nagy pulls it off the goal line. Marincu’s shot saved by the goalkeeper (73). A minute later, the guests increase their lead, Paulevici taking advantage of a goalkeeping mistake to score with an empty net. In the 80th minute, Pădurariu sends a header just wide. Martinov shoots over (89). Spirits are rising as Cosmin Stan sees a yellow card. Poli score! In the 90+3 minute, the new Grancea, who joined the club this summer, scores with a shot from the box after a long attacking phase. Final score, 1-2.

Politehnica: Enășescu – Miclăuș, Vlaicu, R. Ciurel, Nagy (66, Amariei) – D. Popa (71, Prună), I. L. Rotariu, Pureca (46, D. Ciurel) – Marincu (c), Avramescu (61, Istratie), Boariu (61, Grancea). Reserves: F. Pop – D. Roșu, Hus, D. Roșca. Coach: Cristian Gălan.

CSC Dumbrăvița: Iliescu – Vasluian, Scutaru, Zurbagiu (c), Ghinescu (46, Cibi; 90+2, Băluțoiu) – Olaru, Sima – Sofran, L. Bodri (77, Pădurariu), Anișorac (46, Martinov) – Modan (46, Paulevici). Reserves: Trifon – Horcea, E. Adam, Salhi. Coach: Cosmin Stan.

Referee: T. Jurca (Arad).

Comments after the match:

“I think it was a beautiful game, from the level of the pitch you could see a beautiful game, a disputed game. Our lads fought very hard and managed to produce a very nice game, to play at the level of our opponents, and even better, several times they produced better football than our opponents. Their experience told in the end or our youth… But all in all it was an enjoyable game. What I said before the game that: I hope it will be an enjoyable game, happened. People had something to see in this temperature.

There was a little bit of tension at the end, because a misjudged refereeing situation led to a refereeing situation in which tempers flared. Our player (editor’s note: Amariei) I don’t think he fouled so badly that it caused such a scandal. He did indeed foul in a central position, but he didn’t go to hit the opponent, in the way of injuring him, but he went to stop play, a tactical foul that should have been made at the time. Given the fact that he had already been at Dumbrăvița maybe this created a discomfort and the tempers were raised.

We’ve always had something to build on, because we’ve been working in the academy for years and I think we do it very well. Today we had about seven or eight from the academy on the pitch, which should be repeated match after match. Yes, we have something to build on! We’re not afraid of what’s next

I don’t know if we’re going to have any more reinforcements, maybe one position, we’re not sure yet. 90% of these are the players we’re going into League 3 with. Quite an interesting squad now, to say the least. We have players in all positions, we can rotate players. We have young players and we are not backing down from the fight,” said Cristian Gălan, head coach of Politehnicii.

Cristian Gălan:
Listen to audio here

Cosmin Stan:

Listen to audio here