U18 League

Phoenix Field
Spectators: 160 (Terracing: 120, Seating: 37, VIP seats: 3) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Mădălin Vintilescu got the match started through his kick off. 6 minutes into the game, Marin Pietreanu cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Marcel Noica was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 14th match minute, Phoenix Strikers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cazimir Ceaușu to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 18th minute, Viorel Lelescu managed to get in a good position for a shot. Fc S.Zaharesti's supporters rose to their feet, but Viorel Lelescu was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Isac Spirea breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Denis Brânzaș charged in rather forcefully in the 26th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Denis Brânzaș the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 26th match minute, Phoenix Strikers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Denis Brânzaș to maneuver through the defense. Isac Spirea showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mădălin Vintilescu in the 30th minute of the match. When the match had gone on for 39 minutes, Mădălin Vintilescu put it in 2-1 from a short distance just to the right of Isac Spirea. 44 minutes into the match, Ilie Tolea had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Isac Spirea. Phoenix Strikers's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ilie Tolea was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-2.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Denis Brânzaș made a kick off. Nistor Curcă recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Marcel Noica stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Denis Brânzaș's shot from short distance in the 52nd minute. Marin Pietreanu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Gheorghe Dorineanu kicked well hit freekick during the 55th minute of the match. Mădălin Vintilescu who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 57thth minute tested the skills of Isac Spirea when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Isac Spirea stood somewhat misplaced when Mădălin Vintilescu came free in front of goal and shot 2-3 to the left of him in the 59 minute. A collision led to Phoenix Strikers getting a freekick after 62 minutes play. Cazimir Ceaușu hit a great ball. Marcel Noica came out of the goal in the 70th minute to try and stop a shot by Phoenix Strikers's Cazimir Ceaușu. But to his dismay, Cazimir Ceaușu quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-3. After 78 minutes, Mădălin Vintilescu made it 3-4 with a short kick to the right side. Phoenix Strikers's Isac Spirea tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Gelu Curuțiu hit a great freekick 87 minutes into the match. In the 89th minute, Gheorghe Dorineanu 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. When Mădălin Vintilescu came up free with the goalie in the 95th minute, the Fc S.Zaharesti 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 Mădălin Vintilescu couldn't finish the play. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Fc S.Zaharesti eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.