Romania round-up: Matei keeps National ahead

FC National Bucuresti kept hold of first place in Divizia A today, following a 2-1 win over FCM Bacau, but only after a last-minute goal from captain Adrian Matei.

Late, late show
Bacau deservedly opened the scoring with a shot from 25 metres by Valentin Badoi in the 44th minute, but in the second half National took advantage of Valeriu Bordeanu's 68th-minute dismissal to win the match. A minute after the red card, Slavisa Mitrovic equalised, and with five minutes remaining, Marian Savu was fouled in the area, but Sabin Ilie missed the resultant penalty and all hope appeared lost, until Matei's late intervention.

Vital win
Second-placed FC Dinamo Bucuresti overcame FC Petrolul Ploiesti 2-1 away from home to remain just one point off the pace with one round of games to be played. Bogdan Onut opened the scoring for Dinamo after 32 minutes with a header following a corner kick, but Petrolul equalised thanks to a sensational shot by Gabriel Parashiv just before half-time. But, in the 55th minute, Claudiu Niculescu won the game for the visitors with a header after good work by Vlad Munteanu.

Shock defeat
In third place are champions FC Steaua Bucuresti who lost 2-1 at home to CF Sportul Studentesc. The visitors were 2-0 up at the break through strikes from Costin Lazar and Tiberiu Balan and although Steaua did pull a goal back through Eugen Trica, it was not enough.

Gurita winner
Joining Steaua on 49 points are CS Otelul Galati, who enjoyed a 2-1 home win over FC Universitatea Craiova. Catalin Tofan and Mihai Gurita scored for Otelul after Daniel Rednic had given Universitatea an early lead before Tofan missed a 61st-minute penalty.

Red mist
The game between FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt and FC Rapid Bucuresti saw a remarkable five red cards dished out and a 1-0 win for Ceahlaul courtesy of Florin Axinia's first-half strike. Sergiu Brujan, Angelo Alistar and Gheorghe Stefan all saw red for Ceahlaul, while Daniel Pancu and Danut Perja were dismissed for Rapid.

Another dismissal
CF Gloria Bistrita 1922 beat SC Astra Ploiesti 2-1 with Mihai Dascalescu opening the scoring after only seven minutes for Astra, but, in the 27th minute, Astra's Cornel Mihart conceded a penalty and was dismissed for his actions. Cristian Coroian equalised from the penalty spot and in the 47th minute, Cristian Turcu won the game for Gloria.

Hit for six
FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti drew 1-1 with FC Farul Constanta, with Ion Vladoiu scoring for the hosts with a second-half penalty and Cosmin Chirea equalising. FC Brasov beat UM Timisoara 6-1 with Daniel Isaila (two), Cristian Vasc (two), Mugurel Buga and Mihai Stere all getting on the scoresheet for Brasov, and Adrian Savoiu grabbing Timisoara's consolation goal.

Going down
As a result of today's results, Petrolul and Timisoara have been relegated from the Romanian first division, Sportul and Farul will meet in a play-off to decide who gets relegated and AEK
Bucuresti and UTA Arad have won promotion to the first division.