Romania round-up: Leaders Rapid held

FC Rapid Bucuresti's failed to win for only the fourth time in 17 Divizia A games as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by FC Brasov.

Missed chances
Rapid created a number of clear goalscoring opportunities, but were unable to find a way past Brasov goalkeeper Ibrahim Dossey until the 47th minute, when Daniel Niculae finally put the home side in front.

Late equaliser
Despite having all the possession and the vast majority of the chances, Rapid were pegged back nine minutes before the final whistle as Mugurel Buga capitalised on a mistake by Rapid goalkeeper Boban Savic to equalise from close range.

National in  the goals
FC National Bucuresti moved up into second place and cut the gap at the top to eleven points with a resounding 5-1 home win against CF Sportul Studentesc. Walter Zenga’s side never looked back after Slavisa Mitrovic had opened the scoring in the first minute, and further goals followed, with an own goal from Sportul goalkeeper Eduard Sancioiu and strikes from Sergiu Radu, Gabriel Caramarin and Victor Iacob meaning that Laurentiu Dinita’s first-half goal was little consolation for the away side.

Dinamo defeated again
Champions FC Dinamo Bucuresti slipped to third after suffering a second successive defeat at FCM Bacau, losing 3-1. Bacau were in control throughout and took the lead after 50 minutes with a headed own goal from Bogdan Onut, before further goals from Corneliu Codreanu and Cristian Ciocoiu gave the home side a three-goal cushion, with Cosmin Barcauan’s 75th-minute goal all Dinamo could produce.

Steaua subdued
FC Steau Bucuresti’s title hopes also suffered as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by FC Universitatea Craiova, who had late substitute midfield player Ovidiu Stoianof sent off for two yellow cards in the closing stages.

Late winners
Elsewhere, FC Farul Constanta secured a crucial 1-0 victory at fellow strugglers FC UTA Arad, with Cristian Schiopu’s goal two minutes into stoppage time sealing all three points. Meanwhile, the game between FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt and Astra Ploiesti ended 2-1 in favour of the home side, with Constantin Enache scoring a late winner for Ceahlaul, who had taken the lead after five minutes through Florin Axinia before Dinu Todoran equalised shortly after half-time. The game also saw  Ceahlaul’s Nicolae Goian and Mihai Dascalescu of Astra sent off in the first minute, while the away side also lost Daniel Movila to a red card.

Hat-trick for Dica
CF Gloria Bistrita 1922 secured a 1-0 victory at home to CS Otelul Galati thanks to Lucian Sanmartean’s free-kick, while Nicolae Dica scored a hat-trick in FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti's 5-1 home win against FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara.