Politehnica had another important evening on “Dan Paltinisanu”. Extra time was needed to decide the team going to the semi-finals. With a blank score at the end of regulation time, ended by our team in numerical inferiority after the elimination of Tavi Ursu, as well as at the end of extra time, the fate of the qualification was decided in a penalty shoot-out. First division FC Argeș was more accurate from the spot and won 5-4.

The approaching Centenary celebrations brought new equipment for our boys. The shirts with horizontal black and white stripes were worn for the first time in honour of Politehnica’s beginnings.

The game started with the Poles mounted more defensively. Raynov had a chance after a few minutes for a shot from the penalty area, but shot well over the goal. After a period of tact, the white-violet team moved more into the opponent’s half and Oanea (min. 22) signed the first important chance, with a shot from outside the box, rejected by F. Croitoru. Two minutes later, Raynov shot weakly from a good position, also from inside the box after a cross. Then immediately at the other goal Lazăr copied him after a corner kick greeted with cheers from the crowd. Another four minutes later saw the biggest chance of the first half when Păduraru saved Said Ahmed’s header from close range. At the half-hour mark Ursu could have broken the ice for our team. But his volley from the edge of offside was too soft to fool the Arges goalkeeper.

The second half didn’t start with good news for Nicolae Croitoru’s team, Cristi Scutaru being replaced by Bocșan due to an injury. There followed minutes without important chances, until Said Ahmed’s chances (69). He sent into the net after a dropped ball by Păduraru, but the goalkeeper was awarded a foul after our goalkeeper had his second intervention. Then the same Said headed narrowly wide from a cross from the right flank. Our team resisted well and had counter-attacking opportunities, but in the 90th minute, at a phase in the opponent’s half Octavian Ursu saw his second yellow card and was therefore sent off, considered to have gone in hard on Tofan. The game was not decided after the classic 90 minutes and thus went into extra time.

The “extra” halves started well for Politehnica, Zaluschi sending a good shot, which was hardly saved by Flavius Croitoru over the goal in the 92nd minute. Then our team was more massed in their own half, but held on admirably until the end of the extra time and so it came down to the “lottery” of the penalty shoot-out. Only one player missed from the penalties, Claudiu Pamfile being unlucky as his shot hit the bar. Politehnica left the Cup after a beautiful run and always having the support of a superb public. Next up on Saturday is the points duel with Astra in Giurgiu!

Shootout:

1-0 Zaluschi; 1-1 Latovlevici;

Pamfile misses; 1-2 Isfan;

2-2 Lazăr; 2-3 Arias;

3-3 Bocșan; 3-4 Viana;

4-4 Bîrnoi; 4-5 Fatai.

POLITEHNICA: Păduraru – Sofran, Mera (captain), Scutaru (53, Bocșan), Pamfile – D. Andrei (59, Bîrnoi), Ignea (106, D. Radu), Lazăr, Oanea (87, Zaluschi) – Ursu, Gerbi. On the bench: Murariu – Hațegan, D. Olariu. Coach: Nicolae Croitoru

FC Argeș: F. Croitoru – Telcean (46, Tofan), Pițian (94, Joao Miguel), Boldor, Latovlevici – Viana, Mezza Colli (captain) – Raynov, Teles (46, Arias), Palic (46, Ișfan) – Ahmed (75, Fatai). On the bench: Greab – Musat, I. Serban, Honciu. Coach: Andrei Prepeliță.