Romania round-up: National edge derby to take top spot

FC National Bucuresti went to the top of Divizia A today after beating previous leaders FC Dinamo Bucuresti 1-0.

Top of the table
The only goal of the game came from the penalty-spot in the 36th minute, Sergiu Radu converting after being fouled by Dinamo goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont and the win takes National on to 48 points, one clear of second-placed Dinamo.

Spot of luck
In third place of the Romanian first division are CS Otelul Galati, on 43 points, following a goalless draw at home to SC Astra Ploiesti. However, Otelul will be wondering just how they did not collect all three points from the match after missing two penalty kicks through Bogdan Andone and Danut Oprea.

Derby joy
In fourth, fifth and sixth in the league respectively are FC Rapid Bucuresti, champions FC Steaua Bucuresti and FCM Bacau, all on 42 points. In the second Bucharest derby of the day, Steaua completed their third successive win in just a week by overcoming Rapid 2-1.

Raducanu double
The first half was dominated by Steaua, with Claudiu Raducanu opening the scoring in the 24th minute after his initial shot had been saved by Rapid goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea. However, Marius Sumudica equalised in the 65th minute for Rapid with a fantastic header from eleven metres out after a free-kick delivered by Constantin Schumacher. But, in the 70th minute, Stelea could not hold on to an Adrian Neaga free-kick, leaving Raducanu with the chance to win the game for Steaua from four metres out.

Run ended
After four successive victories, FCM Bacau were held to a 2-2 draw at home to relegation threatened CF Sportul Studentesc. The visitors led twice in the game, only for Bacau to pull level twice through Radu Ciobanu and Vasile Ardeleanu.

Seeing red
In the fight for relegation, FC Petrolul Ploiesti drew 2-2 with FC Brasov. Petrolul took the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th-minute through their captain Dinu Todoran, only for Mihai Stere to equalise with a powerful shot from 25 meters after 37 minutes. Marian Grama then gave Petrolul the lead again from a free-kick, but Cristian Vasc pulled the visitors level from a free-kick with 20 minutes to go and ten minutes from time, Brasov's Robert Dani was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Fighting the drop
Elsewhere, FC Universitatea Craiova beat FC Farul Constanta 3-0 thanks to goals from Stefan Grigorie, Cornel Dobre and Daniel Rednic. FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti defeated FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt 1-0 courtesy of an Alin Chita strike in the 26th minute and CF Gloria Bistrita 1922 overcame UM Timisoara 3-1, with Alin Minteuan and two from Cristian Coroian for Gloria and Adrian Savoiu responding for Timisoara.