Romania round-up: Joy for Sportul and Farul
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Article summary
CF Sportul Studentesc and FC Farul Constanta have maintained their top-flight status.
Article body
CF Sportul Studentesc and FC Farul Constanta have maintained their top-flight status after triumphing in the Romanian relegation play-offs.
Finished second
Sportul beat FC Cimentul Fieni 2-1 in today's second leg to win 5-1 on aggregate while Farul drew 0-0 with FC Baia Mare to finish with a 1-0 victory on aggregate. Cimentul and Baia Mare had both finished second in their respective groups in the second division to earn a chance at securing a first division place.
Take it easy
After their first-leg success, Sportul knew they could afford to take it easy against Cimentul. After a quiet opening, they took the lead in the 27th minute through Tiberiu Balan. Cimentul managed an equaliser on the day in the 44th minute through Victor Albulescu's deflected free-kick but could not stop Laurentiu Dinita scoring again for Sportul in the 53rd minute.
Slender lead
Farul managed to hang on to the slender lead gained from the first leg but it was a tense encounter. The referee showed 12 yellow cards in an open game that saw Farul strive hard to get a vital goal. Both teams missed several opportunities but the blank scoreline meant Farul could celebrate at the final whistle.
