League Play-Off

Mestalla
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Tudor Bălcescu started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. Aurelian Arotăriței sent away a hard shot on goal in the 2nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Iurie Jugănaru blasted a shot towards the goal in the 9th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Cristian Costescu having to make a save. 13 minutes into the match, Tudor Bălcescu dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Cristian Costescu, 1-0. Manuel Mavrogheni showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cazimir Encica, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. Tudor Bălcescu who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 28thth minute tested the skills of Cristian Costescu when he managed to save the team from getting behind. In the 29th minute, Valencia's Marius Cuculeanu dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 2-0. Mădălin Caramitru hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. Cristian Costescu made an important save on a dangerous shot by Iurie Jugănaru in the 37th minute. Mathieu Bürgler struck a weak shot in the 40th minute. Manuel Mavrogheni didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for F.C. Academy Steaua.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Mathieu Bürgler made a kick off. Cristian Costescu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Iurie Jugănaru in the 53rd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Tudor Bălcescu in the 56th minute of play forced F.C. Academy Steaua's goalkeeper Cristian Costescu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Iacob Chibulcutean during the 57th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Iacob Chibulcutean kicked well hit freekick during the 57th minute of the match. In the 58th match minute, F.C. Academy Steaua was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adrian Movileanu to maneuver through the defense. In the 62nd minute, Mathieu Bürgler got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Tudor Bălcescu's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Cristian Costescu read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 66th minute of play. After 68 played minutes, F.C. Academy Steaua's Iulian Pădureanu shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Manuel Mavrogheni came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in F.C. Academy Steaua reached it. In the 71st minute, Iacob Chibulcutean hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 72 played minutes Valencia got a freekick which was hit by Marius Cuculeanu. Tudor Bălcescu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 77th minute. Cristian Costescu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Cristian Costescu didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Iurie Jugănaru went, in the 78th minute, to the upper right corner, 3-0 was the resulting score. Cazimir Encica kicked well hit freekick during the 81st minute of the match. After a rather tough play, F.C. Academy Steaua's Mădălin Caramitru got a free kick in the 83rd minute. Romeo Ilinca hit a great freekick 87 minutes into the match. After having played for 87 minutes, Aurelian Arotăriței managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. F.C. Academy Steaua's supporters crossed their fingers, but Aurelian Arotăriței was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Manuel Mavrogheni showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mathieu Bürgler in the 89th minute of the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Mathieu Bürgler in the 91st managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Manuel Mavrogheni saved Valencia from getting behind. When F.C. Academy Steaua's Mathieu Bürgler in the 95th minute got a chance for a shot 95th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Valencia's goalie prevented a goal. For all the effort they put into the match, the F.C. Academy Steaua players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Valencia.