League Play-Off

Jeselnica
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Pavel Bogatu kicked off to start the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Albert Nicolae in the 3rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ovidiu Bucur saved FC STEAUA from getting behind. If Albert Nicolae had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Gornetul getting a freekick after 9 minutes play. Silviu Movileanu hit a great ball. With his leg Cristi Preda managed to avoid a goal in the 10thth minute, when FC STEAUA's Denis Plop fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Cristi Preda showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pavel Bogatu, who was totally free with the ball in the 15th minute. In the 17th minute, Pavel Bogatu reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Cristi Preda. The goal made the score 1-0. With a little luck, Gornetul's Cristi Preda got control of the ball when Denis Plop tried to sneak it across the goal line. Albert Nicolae struck a weak shot in the 24th minute. Ovidiu Bucur didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Gornetul. Denis Plop received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 27th minute. Cristi Preda tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 32nd match minute, Gornetul was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Horea Ciuvică to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 33 minutes, Denis Plop managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. FC STEAUA's supporters crossed their fingers, but Denis Plop was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 34th minute, Emil Cângea hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Denis Plop could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 40th minute of the match, but Cristi Preda made a huge save. After 41 played minutes Gornetul got a freekick which was hit by Horaţiu Hulubei. Denis Plop came free with the goalkeeper in the 42nd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Cristi Preda could save by the left post. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Albert Nicolae was the one to do the kick off. When Pavel Bogatu came up free with the goalie in the 51st minute, the FC STEAUA fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Pavel Bogatu couldn't finish the play. 54 minutes into the match, Denis Plop had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Cristi Preda. Gornetul's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Denis Plop was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. When FC STEAUA's Pavel Bogatu in the 59th minute got a chance for a shot 59th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Gornetul's goalie prevented a goal. Albert Nicolae sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ovidiu Bucur made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Albert Nicolae in the 69th minute of play. Pavel Bogatu scored 3-0 in the 72nd match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Cristi Preda, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. A collision led to Gornetul getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Radu Huidu hit a great ball. In the 82nd minute of the match, Albert Nicolae tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Ovidiu Bucur saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Cristi Preda showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Denis Plop in the 85th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Pavel Bogatu in the 86th minute of play forced Gornetul's goalkeeper Cristi Preda to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ovidiu Carp charged in rather forcefully in the 90th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ovidiu Carp the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 90th minute, one of FC STEAUA:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for FC STEAUA. Cristi Preda made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mihai Giurgiu in the 93rd minute of play. FC STEAUA's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.