Romania round-up: Vital wins for two clubs

FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti and FC Brasov both eased their relegation fears with 1-0 Divizia A wins this afternoon.

Final relegation slot
Arges accounted for FC Universitatea Craiova to move up to twelfth with 21 points while Brasov climbed to ninth after accounting for SC Astra Ploiesti. They have 23 points, nine more than a FC Petrolul Ploiesti side who occupy the final relegation berth.

Stadium name change
There was a carnival atmosphere in Pitesti as Arges celebrated changing the name of their stadium, from Trivale to Nicolae Dobrin, in honour of the club’s finest player. Universitatea were without five first-team regulars for the game and it showed as Arges dominated from the off.

Disallowed goal
Cristian Balasa thought he had opened the scoring in the 30th minute but the referee had already blown for a free-kick after Arges player Ion Vladoiu fouled Stefan Preda, the visiting goalkeeper. Balasa had the final say, however, scoring the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute.

Deflected goal
Brasov, without a win in their four previous outings, had Marius Stan to thank for their victory as his 23rd-minute shot from 18 metres ricocheted off Astra defender Dan Lacusta and into the net. Brasov captain Cosmin Bodea headed against the crossbar four minutes later but there were precious few goalscoring opportunities in a game played in freezing conditions.