Romania round-up: Dinamo delight as challengers slump
Saturday, March 30, 2002
Article summary
FC Dinamo Bucuresti received a boost without even playing as their title rivals failed to win.
Article body
FC Dinamo Bucuresti received a huge boost today without even kicking a ball as their main title rivals all failed to win.
No threat for Dinamo
The league leaders play against CS Otelul Galati tomorrow, but they will go into the game with increased confidence after seeing that their only realistic challengers for the Divizia A title failed to put them under any pressure.
Steaua slump again
FC Steaua Bucuresti's drab run of results continued with a 2-1 defeat at CF Gloria Bistrita 1922. Victor Piturca's side were without suspended top scorer Claudiu Raducanu and the pressure showed as Gloria dominated. They opened the scoring from the penalty spot through Cristian Coroian after goalkeeper Lucian Sanmartean brought down Martin Tudor and Steaua's problems deepened as defender Dumitru Mitrita was dismissed early in the second half.
Ten men flounder
Gloria took full advantage and doubled their lead after some superb work by Sanmartean set up Ciprian Bucuroaia to drive the ball home after 62 minutes. Steaua rallied as Gloria defender Sergiu Mandrean also picked up a red card but Adrian Neaga's 90th-minute goal was too little too late.
Debut joy for Rosca
FC Universitatea Craiova's title challenge also faded as they lost their second successive game at home against struggling FC Petrolul Ploiesti. The visitors went 1-0 up after 76 minutes when Stefan Preda saved a penalty kick from Petrolul captain Dinu Todoran only for Eusebio Tudor to tap home the rebound, and a goal on the break from Orlando Gheorghe completed the scoring and ensured a happy debut for new Petrolul coach Victor Rosca.
Misery for National
The third title contenders, FC National Bucuresti, lost 2-1 at home against FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti. National's Gigel Coman and Arges' Ion Vladoiu were both sent off in the first ten minutes of the game before a sweetly-struck shot from Gabriel Popescu opened the scoring for National in the eleventh minute.
Arges on top
However, the visitors were by far the better side on the day and Nicolae Dica's low shot after 56 minutes and substitute Ciprian Tanasa's subsequent finish saw them earn a richly deserved victory.
Defeat for Brasov
In Saturday's other games, SC Astra Ploiesti won 3-0 against FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt 3-0 while FC Farul Constanta won 4-0 against UM Timisoara. Meanwhile, a goal from a deflected clearance by Dorin Arcanu stood out in FC Brasov's 2-0 defeat at the hands of FCM Bacau.
