Romania round-up: Universitatea maintain title charge

FC Universitatea Craoiva triumphed 2-0 over FC Steaua Bucuresti in the Romanian first division on a busy Saturday that saw nine red cards brandished by referees.

Title contenders
Universitatea are now unbeaten since in seven matches and are emerging as title candidates after an excellent win in front of 40,000 spectators, their biggest crowd of the season. Universitatea now have 29 points and are in fifth place, just six points behind FC Dinamo Bucuresti, who play on Sunday, and two points behind second-placed Steaua.

Excellent strikes
Both goals were superbly taken. The first came in the 19th minute when Cornel Frasineanu struck a free-kick from 22 metres that hit the bar and bounced on to the line. The goal was given although TV replays could not proof conclusively that the whole of the ball had crossed the line.

Three off
Victory was sealed just before half-time when Cosmin Barcauan shot into the top corner but the action was not over. In the 70th minute, Ovidiu Burca (Universitatea) and Claudiu Raducanu (Steaua) were sent off for fighting, before Dan Alexa (Universitatea) was dismissed two minutes from time for his second yellow card.

Balici mistake
CS Otelul Galati triumphed 1-0 at UM Timisoara to condemn the hosts to their second defeat in a row. The goal came in the 57th minute from Mihai Gurita, after a mistake by Timisoara goalkeeper, Cristian Balici. It meant a second succesive win for Otelul's new coach Marius Lacatus.

Derby duel
There was an important derby on Saturday as SC Astra Ploiesti triumphed 2-1 at home against FC Petrolul Ploiesti, thanks to goals in either half from Marin Duna and Cornel Mihart. Petrolul's consolation came in the 90th minute from Cosmin Pascovici, after Astra's defender, Cornel Cristescu, was sent off in the 83rd minute for two yellow cards.

Paduret the hero
CF Sportul Studentesc gave their survival hopes a lift with a 1-0 win at home against FC Brasov, who have now played 20 times at Sportul without a win. The only goal of the game came from Romeo Paduret in the 28th minute. More misery for Brasov came in the 76th minute when Cristian Vasc was sent off. He was joined in the dressing rooms by Sportul's Constantin Secareanu four minutes later after his second yellow card.

Bacau on top
Injury-hit FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti went down 2-0 at FCM Bacau and never looked like taking anything from the match. Bacau's goals came courtesy of Vasile Ardeleanu in the 50th minute and Catalin Cursaru in the 68th minute from the penalty spot.

Referee kept busy
Three red cards and 15 yellow cards were shown as FC Farul Constanta lost 2-1 at home against FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt. Liviu Mihai, Farul's captain was sent off in the 50th minute, for use of the elbow and his team-mate Cristian Dicu saw red n the 75th minute for two yellow cards. A second booking had earlier accounted for the dismissal of Ceahlaul's Valentin Avadanei in the 65th minute.