U23 League

Ionut Andrei
Spectators: 160 (Terracing: 120, Seating: 37, VIP seats: 3) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Cristi Borza got the match started through his kick off. Sebastian Istodor fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 10th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Narcis Cozorici having to interfere. 21 minutes into the game, PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Damian Cârlan nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Narcis Cozorici made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. A collision led to PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca getting a freekick after 23 minutes play. Cristi Borza hit a great ball. Vlad Covrig showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Costin Șipoș in the 29th minute of the match. Petruț Crivac fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Narcis Cozorici having to interfere. After 37 played minutes PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca got a freekick which was hit by Eric Astafei. Narcis Cozorici took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cristi Borza, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ivan Mereuță charged in rather forcefully in the 42nd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Ivan Mereuță the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca booed when White&Blue Lions-Stiinta- was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 42 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ivan Mereuță didn't get a good kick on the ball. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Eugen Butuc made the kick off in the second half. Damian Cârlan's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 56thth minute, Narcis Cozorici skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Vlad Covrig showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Eugen Butuc in the 59th minute of the match. With a little luck, White&Blue Lions-Stiinta-'s Narcis Cozorici got control of the ball when Damian Cârlan tried to sneak it across the goal line. After 67 played minutes PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca got a freekick which was hit by Cristi Borza. PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca's Adrian Bârsan was substituted for Eric Astafei. Cristi Borza kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. Marius Cucerdean fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vlad Covrig having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Damian Cârlan in the 73rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Narcis Cozorici saved White&Blue Lions-Stiinta- from getting behind. Damian Cârlan's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Narcis Cozorici firmly grabbed it by the left post. Damian Cârlan could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 79th minute of the match, but Narcis Cozorici made a huge save. The audience was convinced that Damian Cârlan's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Narcis Cozorici was relentless in the 79th minute of the game. Narcis Cozorici stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Damian Cârlan's shot from short distance in the 79th minute. In the 82nd minute Petruț Duca shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vlad Covrig saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 84 minutes, Mircea Jupân mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca and the White&Blue Lions-Stiinta- players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 84th minute, Mircea Jupân hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Vlad Zâncă hit a great freekick 88 minutes into the match. The long shot by Sebastian Istodor in the 89th minute really tested Narcis Cozorici'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. Damian Cârlan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 93rd minute. Narcis Cozorici tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to White&Blue Lions-Stiinta- getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Vlad Zâncă hit a great ball. When the match was over PHOENIX Cluj-Napoca could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than White&Blue Lions-Stiinta- throughout the match.