League Play-Off

METAXA
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) After some fancy dribbling in the 3rd minute, Herbert Nowak managed to get in a good position for a shot. Retita's supporters rose to their feet, but Herbert Nowak was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gigel Buciuman breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. When the match clock showed 5 minutes, the score became 0-1 when Alfonz Herczegh sped through METAXA's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Gigel Buciuman. Alfonz Herczegh's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Gigel Buciuman read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 11th minute of play. Gigel Buciuman took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Herbert Nowak, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Eduard Cantemir charged in rather forcefully in the 14th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Eduard Cantemir the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 16th minute, Milo Janjić hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 20th minute of the match Adrian Ilie sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Gigel Buciuman skillfully saved the ball. 22 minutes into the match, METAXA's goal looked a bit too open when Herbert Nowak came free, but Gigel Buciuman reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Gigel Buciuman made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alfonz Herczegh in the 24th minute of play. Gigel Buciuman came out of the goal in the 25th minute to try and stop a shot by Retita's Gelu Zbârlea. But to his dismay, Gelu Zbârlea quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. 31 minutes into the game, Alfonz Herczegh cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-3. Gigel Buciuman was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Alfonz Herczegh in the 35th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Gigel Buciuman saved METAXA from getting behind. The audience was convinced that Alfonz Herczegh's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Gigel Buciuman was relentless in the 38th minute of the game. If Alfonz Herczegh had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 41st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The long shot by Nae Călimanescu in the 43rd minute really tested Călin Gorgan's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. Alfonz Herczegh recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 47th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-3 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The wind increased when Alfonz Herczegh made the kick off in the second half. Herbert Nowak could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 52nd minute of the match, but Gigel Buciuman made a huge save. The supporters of Retita booed when METAXA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 52 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nae Călimanescu didn't get a good kick on the ball. Gigel Buciuman showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Manuel Cazimir, who was totally free with the ball in the 55th minute. When %teams%'s Alfonz Herczegh was free in front of goal, he didn't hesitate to shoot 0-4 just inside the left pole, 56 minutes into the game. Gigel Buciuman was annoyed at himself for letting in the shot. 59 minutes into the match, Alfonz Herczegh had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Gigel Buciuman. METAXA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Alfonz Herczegh was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-5. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Alfonz Herczegh in the 67th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Gigel Buciuman saved METAXA from getting behind. Gigel Buciuman was out of position in the 69 minute of play, and Alfonz Herczegh capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Alfonz Herczegh really showed his touch with that goal: 0-6. In the 75th minute, METAXA's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Alfonz Herczegh fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. 77 minutes into the game, Milo Janjić was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Retita's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave METAXA the free kick. In the 85th match minute, METAXA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sebastian Dragomir to maneuver through the defense. A hard shot 86 in the game by Alfonz Herczegh from a close distance when the talented Gigel Buciuman managed to make a qualified save. METAXA's players were relieved. Gigel Buciuman made an important save on a dangerous shot by Herbert Nowak in the 89th minute. Adrian Ilie took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 93rd minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Gigel Buciuman. METAXA's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Gigel Buciuman was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Alfonz Herczegh showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-7 in the 94 minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alfonz Herczegh in the 99th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Gigel Buciuman prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The METAXA fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. Retita were clearly better and deserved to take the win.