We began this year’s Women’s Romanian Cup campaign with a convincing win, defeating Rapid Bucharest 6–1 in the opening round of the group stage at the Burus Csaba Sportpark.
We began this year’s Women’s Romanian Cup campaign with a convincing win, defeating Rapid Bucharest 6–1 in the opening round of the group stage at the Burus Csaba Sportpark.
Our capital-based opponents, who compete in the second division, arrived with a young squad and made things difficult in the first half with organised and aggressive defending. Herczeg Andrea and Nyéki Anna were once again unavailable, while Szőke Eszter and Balázs Eszter will miss the remainder of the season due to cruciate ligament injuries.
We dominated the first half throughout, with Rapid rarely crossing the halfway line and failing to register a shot on target. Nombot, Antal and Fülöp Boglárka all came close to scoring, but the visitors defended compactly, and the score remained goalless at halftime.
After the break, we quickly asserted our superiority. In the 49th minute, Nombot Annabelle Natsi broke the deadlock (1–0). Three minutes later, following a through ball from Szabóvá, Lindsey Leigh Porter controlled superbly inside the box and calmly finished into the bottom right corner (2–0). Soon after, Porter’s cross from the left was finished low into the net by Orbán Aranka (3–0).
We kept up the pressure. In the 74th minute, from a corner, our captain Antal Anita scored at the far post (4–0). Two minutes later, substitute Zvenyák Johanna Rita struck into the top right corner (5–0), and she completed her brace at the end of a quick counterattack (6–0). Rapid pulled one back in the 90th minute when Tănase converted a cross from the left past Böröcz (6–1).
After the match, head coach Szeitl Szilvia spoke about the challenges of the first half and the halftime adjustments.
– In the first half our opponents defended in a very organised and aggressive way, which is understandable since their goal is promotion to the first division. By the end of the half they began to tire, and from that moment it was only a question of when we would make better decisions. That was missing in the first half. At halftime we discussed which areas to attack and how to break their defensive line, and the girls executed everything perfectly, which is why the result became so clear – she said.
She also highlighted the performance of Zvenyák Johanna Rita, who scored twice.
– Zvenyák Johanna is a rising young talent from our academy and has been training with the senior team since the winter preparation period. She has great potential, and I’m happy she scored today because it’s an important confirmation for her. If she continues to work like this, she has a bright future ahead – she added.
The coach also emphasised the strength of the team effort.
– Apart from Zvenyák’s brace, all six goals were scored by different players, which shows the strength of the team. Congratulations to everyone – she concluded.
Our next match will take place on Sunday, March 29 at 11:00, when we host Politehnica Timișoara in the Women’s Superleague play-offs at the Burus Csaba Sportpark.
Women’s Romanian Cup, Group Stage, Group B, Round 1
FK Csíkszereda – Rapid Bucharest 6–1 (0–0).
Referees: Cupu Raul George, Toca Cosmin Gheorghe, Cocan Adrian Ionuț.
Scorers: Nombot Annabelle Natsi (48), Lindsey Leigh Porter (52), Orbán Aranka (59), Antal Anita (74), Zvenyák Johanna Rita (76, 82), Tănase Ioana Camelia (90).
Yellow cards: Mitri Rita (30), Popa Elena (40).
FK Csíkszereda: Böröcz Bettina – Lindsey Leigh Porter, Nombot Annabelle Natsi (Zvenyák Johanna Rita 71), Tóbik Melánia (Shala Jehona 71), Antal Anita, Mitri Rita (Orbán Aranka 46), Rosenblatt Hana My, Fülöp Boglárka, Szabóvá Sofia, Kis Anita, Balázs Csilla.
Head coach: Szeitl Szilvia.
Rapid Bucharest: Ștefan Maria Alesia (Pencea Andreea Nicoleta 66) – Duican Maria Carina (Rafailă Sara Gabriela 59), Bortea Sara Andreea, Popa Mădălina Elena (Trandafir Elena Mirela 46), Vasile Daria Teodora, Banciu Mara Miruna (Tănase Ioana Camelia 59), Negrea Oana Elena, Galau Bawm Lung, Bărbos Nicoleta, Preda Daniela Alexandra, Stoicescu Nathalie Ciobanu (Ana Maria Denisa 66). Head coach: Podescu Speranța.
László Orbán
Photo: Zoltán Pál