Politehnica Timişoara drew today, score 1-1 (1-1), on the field of Pandurii Târgu Jiu, in a game that counted for the 19th stage of the regular season of League 2. The hosts opened the score by Felipe Acosta, while our team’s goal was scored by Dorin Codrea.

Upon entering the field, our players wore black T-shirts inscribed with the text “Next to you” and the portrait of the late Adrian Bărar, the leader of Cargo, who passed away earlier this week. They also displayed a banner with the message: “I play the guitar with one hand / I hold the Timişoara flag with one hand!”.

On a wet surface, on the modern stadium in Tg. Jiu, the first half was very fragmented. The first remarkable opportunity came in the 8th minute on the account of our team, when Mera resumed near the goal after a corner. The hosts managed to score after their first chance at Hindrich’s goal. Pleaşcă launched Velcotă, whose closed angle shot was rejected in the corner by Hindrich. The corner kick from Felipe Acosta opened the scoring with a header from the center of the box. The 26th minute brought the success of 1-1. Sofran’s run ended with a cross in the long corner, the ball bounced off the bar, Ivanovici recovered it and placed the ball to Dorin Codrea, whose shot was deflected to the left of Aldescu de Cotolan. 32 minutes into the match, the visitors put themselves ahead 0 – 4 as Ivanovici finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick.

The second half was not very smooth either. The important opportunities came only at the end. 84 minutes had elapsed when a great chance for Codrea to take the lead after a good cross from the right found Popovici alone with the keeper, but he chipped it to the wrong side of the post. Then, five minutes later, R. Rus’ shot from the edge of the box was deflected a little past Aldescu’s right post. Our team has been putting more and more pressure in the last few minutes. Although five minutes of extra time were dictated from the edge and the Gorjians also made a change in extra time, the referee blew the final whistle 20 seconds faster.

Through this draw, Politehnica will occupy the 1st place, with 32 points out of 18 matches played, at the end of the 19th round. The next stage the white-violets are, and will evolve in the final stage of the regular season on the field of Concordia Chiajna.

Pandurii Tg. Jiu: Aldescu ** – Pleaşcă, Cotolan, Diau, D. Filip – Sylla, Moisie * (86, Corduneanu) – Velcotă (86, Habet *), Felipe Acosta, Dodoi (90 + 3, Răchişan) – Goma (46, Bunga). On the bench: Opriţa – Pleşa, Rasoveanu, Zaborowski, R. Cojocaru **. Coach: Călin Cojocaru.

Timişoara Polytechnic: Hindrich ** – Sofran *, Mera (captain), Scutaru, Pamfile – Munteanu (80, D. Andrei *), Cioinac, Codrea, Ivanovici (67, S. Popovici) – Agents (57, R. Rus ), Plazonja (80, Radunovic). On the bench: Păduraru – D. Radu **, Bocşan, Ignea, Casado. Coach: Dan Alexa.

* -U20 player; ** – U18 player