Our U15 team earned a point in a high-tempo and fluctuating match in Round 11 of the Elite League play-offs. After the game, head coach Zoltán Fogarasi evaluated the 2–2 draw.

Our U15 team earned a point in a high-tempo and fluctuating match in Round 11 of the Elite League play-offs. After the game, head coach Zoltán Fogarasi evaluated the 2–2 draw.

The coach described the result as fair overall, while noting that his team came closer to winning.

– Overall, I can say that the draw can be considered fair. Perhaps in terms of the decisive chance we were closer to victory, but our opponent did not undeservedly take a point from here, which from our perspective is a valuable one – said Zoltán Fogarasi.

He also spoke about the standings and the objectives for the final rounds.

– We hope this point will count a lot at the end of the season, as we maintained our advantage over this opponent, but Politehnica Iași has also closed the gap to three points. We head into the last three rounds holding our position and we definitely want to secure one of the top two places in the play-off, which could put us in contention for the bronze match or even the gold match, although the latter has become more distant. For bronze, however, we are certainly still in the race – he explained.

He highlighted the players’ enthusiasm and the team’s consistency.

– I must emphasize the enthusiasm and determination of the players. It is commendable that we finally managed to score from distance, which was not typical for us before. Also, in both the regular season and the play-off, we have once again managed to come back from a deficit. What I am most proud of is that we are now unbeaten in thirteen official matches; we have not lost a competitive game in nearly half a year – he said.

He also referred to the characteristics of this age group.

– This is worth highlighting because at U15 level it is not common. From week to week the boys can show different faces and forms; their play can still be somewhat unpredictable, with greater fluctuations. In this light, it is highly commendable that we have remained unbeaten for such a long time – he stressed.

He spoke about the upcoming challenge as well.

– A two-week break follows, then we travel to the group derby against FCSB, who are in first place. We want to put in a respectable performance there as well. We want to show that we are not in second place by accident and, of course, to further strengthen our position, which could take us far in the remaining matches – he stated.

In closing, he thanked those who supported the team and commented on the final stages of the match.

– I thank the parents for their support. At the end of the match they were fully involved and gave us great strength to equalize. I thank the staff for their work; they managed the match very well. I must say, however, that in the last 25 minutes the opponent focused more on wasting time than on playing football. Football often punishes that, and it did so this time as well. At the same time, the refereeing team did not rise to the occasion, as we were hardly awarded any free kicks throughout the match, and I do not believe the opponent played that cleanly. Of course, I do not want to focus on either the opponent or the referee, as they are part of the game. It was clear, however, that they lost control of the match. Nevertheless, the boys reacted well, fought with heart and soul to save at least a point, and once again I say that the match ball remained at our feet – concluded Zoltán Fogarasi.

László Orbán
Photo: Zoltán Pál