League Play-Off

El Monumental
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Octavian Rogozanu started the match with the kick off. 5 minutes into the match, Octavian Rogozanu had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Iacob Bârsescu. ASU Politehnica Timisoara's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Octavian Rogozanu was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-1. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Octavian Rogozanu in the 10th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Iacob Bârsescu saved ASU Politehnica Timisoara from getting behind. 12 minutes into the match, ASU Politehnica Timisoara's goal looked a bit too open when Marcel Mărăscu came free, but Iacob Bârsescu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The ASU Politehnica Timisoara fans' excitement grew in the 15th match minute when ASU Politehnica Timisoara's Cosmin Tofan looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 1-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. In the 17th minute, Dacian Greavu ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Iulian Seţeanu was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-1. 21 minutes into the match, ASU Politehnica Timisoara's goal looked a bit too open when Bogdan Orășan came free, but Iacob Bârsescu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cosmin Tofan's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 24thth minute, Iulian Seţeanu skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nicu Elefteriu in the 25th minute of play forced ASU Politehnica Timisoara's goalkeeper Iacob Bârsescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 31 minutes into the match, ASU Politehnica Timisoara's goal looked a bit too open when Octavian Rogozanu came free, but Iacob Bârsescu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 32nd minute, Leontin Luncaniță fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. Marcel Mărăscu's late challenge caught a ASU Politehnica Timisoara's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marcel Mărăscu helped the player get up and apologised. In the 37th minute, Marcel Mărăscu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 39 played minutes Santamaria got a freekick which was hit by Octavian Rogozanu. Santamaria's Iulian Seţeanu proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 42nd minute of the match, managed to save Santamaria from getting a goal against them. Dacian Greavu took the ball and in the 42 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Iulian Seţeanu. Iulian Seţeanu dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-1. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

ASU Politehnica Timisoara's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Petruț Busuioc in the 53rd minute. The corner ended in Petruț Busuioc almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Santamaria's Iulian Seţeanu did a great save. After a defensive mix-up in ASU Politehnica Timisoara's zone, Bogdan Orășan stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Iacob Bârsescu came out of the goal and Bogdan Orășan tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Cosmin Tofan in the 60th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Iulian Seţeanu prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 61 minutes into the game, Bogdan Orășan recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Iacob Bârsescu. Bogdan Orășan showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 3-2. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Tudor Popa during the 68th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of ASU Politehnica Timisoara booed when Santamaria was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tudor Popa didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 73rd minute, Santamaria's Octavian Rogozanu dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 3-3. In the 77th minute, Dacian Greavu ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Iulian Seţeanu was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-3. Iacob Bârsescu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nicu Elefteriu in the 81st minute of the match. Viorel Gârdan charged in rather forcefully in the 86th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Viorel Gârdan the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 86 played minutes ASU Politehnica Timisoara got a freekick which was hit by Viorel Gârdan. Iacob Bârsescu made a fantastic save in the 89th minute, when Marcel Mărăscu sent off a good shot on target. The audience thought a goal was coming when Marcel Mărăscu got free with Iacob Bârsescu in the 91st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After 97 minutes, Octavian Rogozanu mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Santamaria and the ASU Politehnica Timisoara players grew even worse after the yellow card.