Romania round-up: Capital giants slain
Sunday, November 17, 2002
Article summary
Bucharest giants FC Dinamo Bucuresti and FC Steaua Bucuresti both slipped up on Saturday.
Article body
Bucharest giants FC Dinamo Bucuresti and FC Steaua Bucuresti both fell to surprise 2-0 Divizia A defeats on Saturday.
Gurita double
Mihai Gurita's double, secured with an 18th-minute opener and a second goal ten minutes from time, sealed FC Otelul Galati's home victory against Dinamo, while Steaua fell to strugglers FC UTA Arad, for whom Jeremy Njock opened the scoring. On the 80-minute mark, Steaua goalkeeper Martin Tudor was sent off for a foul in the area and former Steaua player Roland Nagy found the net from the spot.
Runaway Rapid
Runaway leaders AFC Rapid Bucuresti remain top of the table after a 3-0 victory at CF Gloria Bistrita 1922. Marius Maldarasanu found the net after just seven minutes and further strikes from Ion Voicu and Constantin Schumacher followed the 33rd-minute dismissal of Gloria captain Vasile Popa. The game finished as a ten-a-side affair once Daniel Niculae was sent off for fighting just moments after coming on as a Rapid substitute.
Cursaru cruising
Elsewhere, FCM Bacau cruised past FC Farul Constanta 3-0 with two goals from Catalin Cursaru and another from Narcis Raducan, even though Bacau's Vasile Ardeleanu had been sent off for two yellow cards with the score at just 1-0. Farul trainer Viorel Hizo was so disappointed with his side's failure to beat ten men that he indicated a decision over his future at the club may be forthcoming.
Dynamite Dinita
In the weekend's other games, a double from Laurentiu Dinita either side of a Cristian Irimia strike handed CF Sportul Studentesc victory against Astra Ploiesti and FC Brasov had no problems disposing of FC Universitatea Craiova. Brasov won 3-1 thanks to Mugurel Buga's first-half double and Mircea Stan's last-minute third after Universitatea had pulled one back through Ion Vladoiu's penalty.
Rampant Radu
FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara rode their luck before Mircea Oprea and Ciprian Prodan gave them a 2-0 win against FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt and Sergiu Radu scored twice as FC National Bucuersti saw off FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti to stay second in the table.
