League Play-Off

Apullum Arena
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Panait Baldovin kicked off to start the match. In the 2nd minute Gică Alexandru shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Radu Balaci saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. FC Strazile's Radu Balaci played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gică Alexandru in the 6th minute of play. LEGIO XIII GEMINA's Martin Bran got a good chance for a goal in the 11th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 12 minutes into the match, LEGIO XIII GEMINA's Gică Alexandru sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Radu Balaci narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After a rather tough play, FC Strazile's Luca Ailenei got a free kick in the 13th minute. Martin Bran sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Martin Bran had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 19th minute, LEGIO XIII GEMINA's Gică Alexandru dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. After 27 played minutes Gică Alexandru rounded FC Strazile's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 2-0. Radu Balaci made a fantastic save in the 31st minute, when Martin Bran sent off a good shot on target. In the 36th minute Gică Alexandru shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Radu Balaci saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. FC Strazile's Radu Balaci played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gică Alexandru in the 38th minute of play. In the 45th minute, Ciprian Nicorici hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Gică Alexandru struck a weak shot in the 47th minute. Radu Balaci didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for LEGIO XIII GEMINA. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gică Alexandru in the 52nd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Radu Balaci saved FC Strazile from getting behind. Martin Bran received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 54th minute. Radu Balaci tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to FC Strazile getting a freekick after 55 minutes play. Ion Todericiu hit a great ball. Claudiu Ţipirig received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Florin Bouleanu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 61 minutes into the match, Panait Baldovin had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Florin Bouleanu. LEGIO XIII GEMINA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Panait Baldovin was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-1. The supporters of FC Strazile booed when LEGIO XIII GEMINA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 63 match minutes in a wonderful position. Martin Bran didn't get a good kick on the ball. Claudiu Ţipirig might have been able to make a better finish in the 67th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Florin Bouleanu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Claudiu Ţipirig ran back to his position shaking his head. LEGIO XIII GEMINA's Gică Alexandru got a good chance for a goal in the 71st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mihai Savu in the 74th minute of play forced FC Strazile's goalkeeper Radu Balaci to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Gică Alexandru received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Radu Balaci tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Claudiu Ţipirig got free with Florin Bouleanu in the 79th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Radu Balaci made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Martin Bran in the 80th minute of play. 82 minutes into the match, Gică Alexandru had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Radu Balaci. FC Strazile's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Gică Alexandru was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-1. Florin Bouleanu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Panait Baldovin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. LEGIO XIII GEMINA's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.