Romania round-up: Leaders held

Divizia A leaders FC Dinamo Bucuresti were held on the final day of action before the mid-season break in Romania.

Stalemate
Dinamo, who would have started the second half of the campaign next March four points clear of city rivals FC National Bucuresti had they won, were held to a 1-1 draw away to FC Brasov. Brasov are notoriously difficult to break down at the Tineretului stadium and remain unbeaten at home this season.

Tight affair
The first half was a tight affair, with neither goalkeeper troubled, but Dinamo started the second period more brightly and went a goal up eleven minutes after the restart through Vlad Munteanu. Munteanu, who started from the bench but came on in the 44th minute, took advantage of some confusion in the Brasov defence to make it 1-0. Just 30 seconds earlier Brasov striker Marcel Sandor slipped on the ball with just the Dinamo keeper to beat.

Deflected goal
In the 70th minute, however, Brasov were rewarded for their industry when a Flavius Moldovan free-kick deflected off a visiting defender and into the Dinamo net. Both teams had chances to claim maximum points but Brasov's Emerich Vascko saw an effort disallowed for offside and Claudiu Niculescu hit the crossbar for Dinamo in the final minute.

Hopes dashed
Dinamo's local rivals FC Steaua Bucuresti were not to be denied and they climbed to third with a 1-0 win at home to SC Astra Ploiesti. Claudiu Raducanu's third-minute strike put paid to Astra's hopes of moving well clear of the relegation zone.