Vasca rejoice in Poland

By Jim Wirth at LKS Przeboj stadium

Vasca are through to the UEFA Regions' Cup final after a two goals from Roberto Correa gave them a 2-1 win against Dacia in Wolbrom.

Kind result
With their Group B rivals Republic of Ireland losing 4-2 against Kahovka-Kzeso, José Antonio Goikoetxea's men did enough to take top spot in the group with a match remaining, but having made seven changes from the starting XI who won 4-1 against the Ukrainians in their first match, they were in less dominant mood.

Opening chance
Dacia had the first chance of the game after just three minutes as Mihai Dinu blasted the ball wide of goal, but with uncompromising long-ball tactics, the Spanish representatives gradually took control of their stylish Romanian opponents, forcing giant goalkeeper Petre Baluta to make a couple of fine saves.

Correa strike
They should have gone ahead when the ball came in from the right for the unmarked Asier Elorriaga after 17 minutes but he skewed his shot across the face of goal to give Baluta a surprisingly comfortable diving save, and the No1 was in action again after 25 minutes to parry a drive from Pedro Maria Fuente. However, Vasca took the lead after 42 minutes as a long ball from the left eluded the Dacia defence and fell kindly for Correa, who slid the ball neatly past Petre.

Disallowed goal
The Romanian side had the ball in the net through the dangerous Fanel Ghioca three minutes into the second half but his effort was ruled out for offside. They were left to further curse their luck after Baluta was injured in a challenge with Correa, and had to be substituted for Bogdan Sava after 54 minutes.

Penalty converted
However, the Vasca goal was not to lead a charmed life, as they conceded a penalty for a foul on Cristian Gabrie Cojenel which Alin Chiliman converted neatly from the spot after 61 minutes. At that point it looked like anyone's game, with Dacia showing increased urgency, but the decisive goal went Vasca's way.

Winning strike
On 68 minutes, a raking long ball found Correa racing into the penalty area, and his stylish lobbed finish across the goalkeeper proved to be the winning goal. Sava was to make a superb diving save to deny Vasca a third after 89 minutes, but the nearest Dacia came to an equaliser was a shot-cum-cross from Valentin Sandu which dipped just over the bar deep into added time.