Politehnica won 2-0 (1-0) against FC Rapid in the Romanian Cup final round. Erik Gerbi and Octavian Ursu scored the goals to qualify for the Dan Paltinisanu Arena.

The white-violet started the game determined and opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Doru Andrei broke inside the opponent’s half, passed to Erik Gerbi and the Italian striker sent the ball into the goal from the long corner. The Giullis then had more action on Harrison’s goal. The most dangerous phase of the first half for the visitors came in the 42nd minute, following a corner deflected by Stahl who headed into the Australian’s left-hand post and then held the ball.

After the break the Rapidians pressed and had a chance to equalise, but Harrison twice intervened within a few yards of Sefer’s attempts to tap into the net (68th minute). Then, two minutes later, Octavian Ursu found the net for the second time for Politehnica, with a long-range shot from the corner after an excellent pass down the corridor from the same Doru Andrei.

Nicolae Croitoru’s boys managed the end of the game well and our team made the step into the quarterfinals of the competition! The phase will take place around the 1st of December. For Politehnica the championship duel with Unirea Dej will follow on Sunday, at 13.00, away.

POLITEHNICA: Harrison – Sofran, Mera (captain), Scutaru, Pamfile – Lazăr, Ignea – D. Radu (71, Bocșan), Ursu (89, Hațegan), D. Andrei – Gerbi (90+2, Zaluschi). On the bench: Păduraru – Moțiu, S. Costea. Coach: Nicolae Croitoru.

Rapid: Drăghia (captain) – Carnat, Dandea (72, B. Barbu), Nastos, Florică (84, Demici) – Albu, Moise – R. Ilie (63, D. Grigore), Alami, Stahl – Marzouk (46, Sefer). On the bench: H. Moldovan – Cr. Ignat, Despa, S. Iosif, Săpunaru. Coach: Mihai Iosif.

“A timely victory, because we really needed it. Not only for the qualification to the quarterfinals, but also because the previous games were not exactly successful and we were worried, but today’s game shows that it is possible, with hard work, hard work, good organization, we can do better things than we have managed so far.

I think we all realized that we have to change something and first of all that we have to change our attitude, that we have to play as a team, that everyone has to contribute to a successful game and to a positive result and I think that’s what we showed today, we looked like a team“, said Nicolae Croitoru, Politehnica’s head coach.

Photo: Sebastian Tătaru