League Play-Off

Catane
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Cristi Şerban got the match started through his kick off. In the 5th minute, Ovidiu Manciu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 6th minute, Codrin Boc hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Mihail Alb, 7 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. After 8 played minutes Pihnesti got a freekick which was hit by Paul Hrușcă. Niculae Ciorăscu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 14th minute. Cristian Hritcu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 19 minutes into the match, Pihnesti's goalkeeper Mugur Iftode had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by David Ianculescu. Cristi Şerban sent away a hard shot on goal in the 24th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Anton Anghelescu fell near the penalty area in the 26th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Pihnesti's protests and gave Anton Anghelescu a yellow card for diving instead. In the 26th match minute, Pihnesti was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Anton Anghelescu to maneuver through the defense. David Ianculescu's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 28thth minute, Mugur Iftode skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. After having played for 29 minutes, Cristi Şerban managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Catane CS's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cristi Şerban was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. A collision led to Pihnesti getting a freekick after 30 minutes play. Codrin Boc hit a great ball. Anton Anghelescu recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Niculae Ciorăscu fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 41st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cristian Hritcu having to interfere. Andrei Roşculeţ kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Niculae Ciorăscu to strike the kick off in the second half. Cristi Şerban received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 51st minute. Mugur Iftode tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Mugur Iftode took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from David Ianculescu, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Cristi Şerban sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 63 minutes had been played when some careless play by Pihnesti's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Mihail Alb was slow to take the kick. During this time Catane CS's players had a chance to rest. Nechifor Posteucă was in a good position and managed to take a shot, but he missed just to the outside of the post. When Catane CS's David Ianculescu in the 64th minute got a chance for a shot 64th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Pihnesti's goalie prevented a goal. Cristi Şerban sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Mugur Iftode showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cristi Şerban in the 69th minute of the match. After some careless play in the Catane CS defense, Anton Anghelescu kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Cristian Hritcu. The Catane CS fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Cristian Hritcu should have stopped the shot. If Anton Anghelescu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. An unexpectedly hard shot by Niculae Ciorăscu in the 85th minute of play forced Catane CS's goalkeeper Cristian Hritcu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mugur Iftode made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cristi Şerban in the 95th minute of play. The Pihnesti supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Pihnesti would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.