Romania: Dinamo still dominant

FC Dinamo Bucuresti remain on top of Divizia A in Romania after a comprehensive 4-1 win over FC Petrolul Ploiesti on Saturday.

Dinamo delight
On a day of very bad weather, with snow and rain affecting many games, Dinamo handed out Petrolul’s third successive defeat pushed them down into a relegation place. Dinamo started very brightly and had two disallowed efforts before captain Adrian Mihalcea converted a rebound after Cornel Cernea saved his penalty kick in the 34th minute. It was Mihalcea’s eleventh goal of the season.

Two for Ilie
Substitute Sabin Ilie made it 2-0 in the 66th minute, before a sensational 20-metre shot from Iuliam Tames hit the third in the 72nd minute. Two minutes later Ilie added his second and Dinamo’s fourth. Petrolul earned a consolation five minutes from time courtesy of their captain Dinu Todoran.

Fourth win in a row
FC National Bucuresti are having a surprise season, challenging for the title for the first time. Led by 32-year-old coach Cosmin Olaroiu, they have lost just once all season. On Saturday, they won their fourth successive game by winning 5-1 away at FCM Bacau.

Mitrovic starts scoring
Bosnian striker Slavisa Mitrovic opened the scoring in the fifth minute and National were in control from then on. In the 22nd minute, Sergiu Radu ran through Bacau's central defence and doubled the lead. Gigel Coman’s free-kick in the 57th minute made it three before Slavisa Mitrovic headed home the fourth. Defender Valentin Ignatescu finished National’s scoring in the 80th minute but there was still time for Valentin Badoi to score a consolation for Bacau four minutes from time.

Nervous finish
UM Timisoara recorded their second successive win beating FC Brasov 2-1 at home. Goals from Florin Maxim and Calin Mada set the hosts on their way but it was a nervous finish as Calin Mada pulled one back in the 77th minute.

Win for Multescu
Gheorghe Multescu managed his first victory as SC Astra Ploiesti's coach, after two draws and a defeat in the last second of the game. On Saturday, a 59th minute goal from Cristian Craciun, after a perfect cross from Astra’s captain, Marin Duna, was enough to see off  FC Gloria Bistrita 1-0, and ensure a very important victory in the battle against relegation. Universitatea Craiova also won 1-0. They beat CS Otelul Galati with a goal in the 52nd minute from Stefan Grigorie.

Heavy rain
Saturday’s final match saw FC Farul Constanta triumph 1-0 at home against FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti. The game was delayed by heavy rain, and the poor conditions meant chances were few and far between. Farul had to wait until the 84th minute when Cristian Dicu scored with a  good shot. The hosts finished with ten men after Cristian Negru was sent off two minutes after the goal for his second yellow card.