Romania round-up: Bacau surprise Dinamo

The gap at the top of the Romanian first division is down to just two points after FCM Bacau beat leaders FC Dinamo Bucuresti.

Third straight win
In one of the games of the season so far, Dinamo were defeated 4-2 to give Bacau their third straight win. Dinamo have now gone five games without a win and will be more disappointed to see FC National Bucuresti move second with a hard-fought 1-0 home win over FC Rapid Bucuresti.

Cursaru class
Bacau, cheered on by more than 20,000 spectators all allowed in for free, again had striker Catalin Cursaru to thank. The in-form player was again a major influence for his team although Bacau actually took the lead through an own goal.

Bacau not to be denied
It came in the seventh minute when Dinamo defender Sorin Iodi put the ball past his own goalkeeper from 16 metres. Dinamo equalised 12 minutes later when Claudiu Niculesu struck from eight metres but Bacau were not to be denied.

Fantastic free-kick
The hosts restored their advantage when Valentin Badoi hit a perfect free-kick from 20 metres. Cursaru hit Bacau's third in the 56th minute following a neat pass from Badoi. Dinamo battled back and managed to cut the deficit to one goal when Ionel Danciulescu scored in the 65th minute.

On course for UEFA Cup
But Bacau came back again and Cursaru hit a spectacular second two minutes from time. The Romanian performed a bicycle kick from ten metres out that thrilled the home crowd and kept his side on course for a UEFA Cup place.

Popescu decides it
National took advantage of Dinamo's slip up to go second by beating third-placed Rapid. It was a very poor game, decided by a goal scored in the first minute by Gabriel Popescu, who received a pass from Slavisa Mitrovic and shot home from 14
metres.

Gloria climb
Elsewhere today, CF Gloria Bistrita 1922 ran out 2-0 winners over FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt. The goals came from Constantin Barsan in the seventh minute and Cristian Coroian six minutes from time. The comfortable victory enabled Gloria to climb into eighth place, but they have no hope of European competition next season.

Record crowd
FC Universitatea Craiova and UM Timisoara played out a goalless draw in front of just 50 fans, making the lowest attendance ever in the Romanian first division. It was also honours even between FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti and FC Petrolul Ploiesti, this time 1-1. Petrolul will be less happy with the point as they remain in relegation trouble.

Farul left to sweat
Finally today, SC Astra Ploiesti saw off FC Farul Constanta 1-0 thanks to a goal six minutes from time by Daniel Movila. It was a vital win for Astra who move away from the bottom, while Farul are one place away from the relegation play-off zone.