League Play-Off

Ciacova
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Ciacova CF's Valentin Diaconu started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Leontin Zăreanu struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Laurențiu Oanță didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Birtin. After a rather tough play, Birtin's Cristi Cangeopol got a free kick in the 14th minute. The audience was convinced that Valentin Diaconu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Mugur Bîndean was relentless in the 19th minute of the game. In the 20th match minute, Ciacova CF was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gigi Nicopol to maneuver through the defense. In the 21st minute of the match Edgar Arseni shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Laurențiu Oanță showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. In the 24thth minute of the game Leontin Zăreanu who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ciacova CF's Laurențiu Oanță was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. If Valentin Diaconu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 30th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Valentin Diaconu came up free with the goalie in the 38th minute, the Ciacova CF 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 Valentin Diaconu couldn't finish the play. Constantin Hâncu's late challenge caught a Birtin's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Constantin Hâncu helped the player get up and apologised. Leontin Zăreanu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 43rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. During the 44th minute of the match Constantin Hâncu completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Constantin Hâncu a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. After 45 played minutes Ciacova CF got a freekick which was hit by Constantin Hâncu. In the 46th minute Leontin Zăreanu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Laurențiu Oanță saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Nechifor Penescu made a kick off. With 57 minutes on the clock, Dan Zbârciog commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. 56 minutes into the game, one of Ciacova CF:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. The referee gave Birtin a penalty, 59 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Edgar Arseni, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Ciacova CF's Laurențiu Oanță. 0-1. Laurențiu Oanță made a fantastic save in the 62nd minute, when Leontin Zăreanu sent off a good shot on target. The supporters of Birtin booed when Ciacova CF was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gigi Nicopol didn't get a good kick on the ball. 69 minutes into the match, Birtin's Edgar Arseni broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. Ciacova CF's Laurențiu Oanță played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nechifor Penescu in the 71st minute of play. Laurențiu Oanță took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nechifor Penescu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nechifor Penescu in the 82nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Laurențiu Oanță prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Leontin Zăreanu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Nechifor Penescu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 88 minutes into the match, Ciacova CF's goalkeeper Laurențiu Oanță had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Leontin Zăreanu. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Valentin Diaconu during the 91st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 91st match minute, Ciacova CF was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Valentin Diaconu to maneuver through the defense. In the 98th minute of the match, Paul Turcan tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Laurențiu Oanță saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. The Birtin players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.