Romania round-up: Dinamo defeated
Saturday, April 13, 2002
Article summary
FC Dinamo Bucuresti suffered only their second defeat of the season but stay top of the table.
Article body
FC Dinamo Bucuresti suffered only their second defeat of the season at the hands of lowly CF Sportul Studentesc today.
Bumper day for hosts
In six games played today, the hosts won five of them 1-0 and. only one away side triumphed.
Despair for Dinamo
Dinamo went down 1-0 after a goal in the 32nd minute from Gheorghe Bucur, who hit a hat-trick in his last outing for Sportul. This time around, he latched on to a lofted pass from goalkeeper Bodgan Lobont and slotted home. Dinamo were unlucky though and even saw captain Giani Kirita miss a penalty in the 27th minute. The misery was completed by midfield player Mugur Bolohan's red card in the 67th minute.
National move up
Dinamo stay top with 43 points but FC National Bucuresti have made up some ground and moved into second place today. They triumphed 1-0 over struggling FC Brasov to move on to 38 points, thanks to a 45th-minute header from Marian Savu.
Rapid fall
FC Rapid Bucuresti have dropped down to third place after a 1-0 defeat at FCM Bacau. The only goal came in the 16th minute from Catalin Cursaru, who capitalised on a mistake from Rapid goalkeeper Florentin Radulescu. Rapid twice hit the woodwork and again showed how much they missed injured striker Daniel Pancu.
Lacatus keeps winning
The day's only away winners were CS Otelul Galati, who are firmly on course for a UEFA Cup place. In the six games played since the turn of the year, Marius Lacatus's side have won five and drawn one. Today, FC Farul Constanta were beaten 2-0 at home. Otelul took the initiative from the start after a first-minute goal from Bogdan and wrapped up an excellent win with a Tudorel Pelin strike in the 18th minute. Farul's midfield player, Cosmin Mocanu, was sent off 15 minutes from time after picking up his second yellow card of the match.
Astra success
SC Astra Ploiesti beat deflated UM Timisoara 1-0, courtesy of a Dragos Mihalache goal in the 44th minute, to lift themselves clear from the play-off position in the relegation zone. Finally today, FC Gloria Bistrita 1922 won 1-0 at home against Petrolul Ploiesti. The goal came in the 20th minute from Cristian Coroian.
