Romania round-up: National stay on top

FC National Bucuresti remain top of the table in Romania after today's 1-0 win at SC Astra Ploiesti.

Savu scores
A superb pass by Gabriel Popescu picked out Slavisa Mitrovic and his accurate cross allowed Marian Savu to stab the ball into the Astra net from just three metres. Victory was made more difficult for the visitors when Stelian Carabas was dismissed for a foul after 70 minutes, but they held on.

Dinamo joy
FC Dinamo Bucuresti maintained their title challenge with a 2-1 home victory against FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti. Dinamo opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a penalty from Claudiu Dragan, but Robert Neagoe equalised for Arges in the 48th minute. Florin Parvu scored Dinamo's winner midway through the second half.

All-action tie
In an action-packed game at the Gheorghe Hagi stadium, FC Steaua Bucuresti won 2-0 against FC Farul Constanta. Both sides hit the crossbar and Farul had a goal disallowed, but Claudiu Raducanu's 32nd-minute strike and another from Adrian Neaga five minutes from time won the day for Steaua.

Rapid held
That was bad news for FC Rapid Bucuresti, who could only draw 1-1 with FC Brasov as their chances of a place in next season's UEFA Cup continue to fade fast. Marius Sumudica opened the scoring for Rapid in the 28th from Ionut Voicu's fine centre. Voicu was sent off three minutes into the second half after conceding a penalty, which Mihai Stere scored to level for Brasov.

Strugglers draw
In the evening's other games, FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt won 2-1 against CS Otelul Galati, CF Sportul Studentesc triumphed 2-0 at home against FC Gloria Bistrita 1922, while FC Petrolul Ploiesti drew 2-2 with fellow strugglers UM Timisoara. In the final game of the round, FCM Bacau shared the points in a goalless draw with FC Universitatea Craiova.