The duel between the two Politehnici brought quite a crowd to the “Dan Paltinisanu” arena and only one goal, unfortunately for the visitors.

Under the spotlight and in front of the supporters seated in the first tribune the game between the two Polis had a good rhythm at the start. The first notable phase was in the account of the guests after ten minutes of the match, but Camara’s cross remained without result. After another 11 minutes it was the turn of the white-violet to be more dangerous. Goalkeeper Popescu had a hard save on Ignea’s corner kick, and at the next resulting corner kick, Andrei crossed for Scutaru to head the ball wide. The white-violet dominated the rest of the half territorially, but Bîrnoi and Ursu could not find the right solution, either from distance or from the penalty area.

The second half started with a chance for Politehnica Timisoara, but a foul was called on captain Mera’s header attempt. The atmosphere then became electrifying in the Viola supporters’ section and the players stepped up their efforts. The reward could have come before the 60th minute, but Bîrnoi’s action ended with a shot held by Popescu. The 63rd minute also brought another chance for Camara, but Păduraru held. And a quarter of an hour later Lazăr also threatened with a header. Unfortunately for our team the extra time was unlucky. A foul on the right-hand side of the goal was narrowly ruled. F. Cristea crossed from a free kick and Sekou Camara set the final score, 1-0 for Poli Iasi, with a header that bit the bar on Păduraru’s right.

The championship is interrupted next week (for national team games) so our team’s next match will be in more than two weeks, away to Metaloglobus București (6th round of League 2). The white-violets have seven points after the first five games of the season and are in 8th place.

Politehnica Timișoara: Păduraru – Sofran, Mera (captain), Scutaru, Oanea – Ignea, Lazăr – Andrei, Benzar (79, Axente), Bîrnoi (69, Zaluschi) – Ursu (60, Hațegan). On the bench: Harrison – Pamfile, S. Costea, Bocșan, Moțiu, Minteuan. Coach: Dorin Toma.

Politehnica Iași: L. Popescu – Onea, Cană, Fl. Plămadă (captain), T. Serediuc – Mihalache, Chatziterzoglou (60, Istrate) – Al. Stan (70, Torres), F. Cristea (90+4, Târșa), Pelivan (70, Iurașcu) – Camara. On the bench: Axinte – Corobuță, Aftanache, Asăvoaei, Zaharia. Coach: Costel Enache.

“It’s frustrating for us to lose in the 93rd minute, if we analyzed before, we weren’t happy with the draw either. But when the game is over and we lost, we were happy with a draw. At the last phase, a foul, if it was Doru’s foul!? But a lack of organisation on our defensive phase and this cost us. We dominated the opponent, we had good possession, but sterile, at the finish we still need there maybe a player or we to play more combinative, faster, unfortunately today we were not careful until the last whistle of the referee. We play on the attack, we have reached the finishing, but unfortunately we are also suffering in terms of size, slowly maybe we will adjust these things. We’re trying during this break, like other teams, to get stronger. If not, with what we have, let’s prepare even better and break this misfortune, which I understand has happened in the past – to be on an upward slope and to hit the ground running as they say… The atmosphere was good for us and it was nice that we too rewarded the supporters with a win today,” said Dorin Toma, Politehnica’s head coach.