We were unable to pick up points in Cluj-Napoca in Round 20 of the Superliga regular season. Although we pulled one goal back in the second half and reopened the match, CFR sealed the result from the penalty spot in the closing minutes.

We were unable to pick up points in Cluj-Napoca in Round 20 of the Superliga regular season. Although we pulled one goal back in the second half and reopened the match, CFR sealed the result from the penalty spot in the closing minutes.

The hosts set the tempo early on Friday evening and quickly turned their dominance into a goal. In the 6th minute, following a poor clearance, Cordea found the bottom corner with a precise long-range effort. CFR remained the more proactive side, and midway through the first half Pap Eduard – making his 200th Superliga appearance – produced a crucial save to deny Munteanu from close range. We struggled to find our rhythm, registering our first shot on target only in the 41st minute, when Pászka’s attempt was comfortably saved by Hindrich. Before the break, CFR came close again, but Matei Ilie’s header struck the post.

The start of the second half was once again unfavourable for us, as Cordea doubled the home side’s lead just one minute after the restart following a ball recovery. After conceding, FK reorganised and gradually took control of the game. The pressure paid off in the 71st minute, when Bödő headed home from close range after a cross by Veres.

In the closing stages, Ilyés Róbert’s team pushed hard for the equaliser. In the 83rd minute, Ceará’s shot went narrowly wide, but the move was later halted for handball. In stoppage time, there was no longer a chance to claim a point: following a referee’s decision that overturned the initial call after a VAR review, CFR were awarded a penalty, which Cordea converted to complete his hat-trick and set the final score at 3–1.

Our team will play its final regular-season match of the year away from home as well: on Monday, 22 December, from 8:00 pm, against Universitatea Craiova.

Superliga, regular season, Round 20
CFR Cluj–FK Csíkszereda 3–1 (1–0).
Referees: Horia Mladinovici, Andrei Gabriel Constantinescu, Cosmin Vatamanu. Fourth official: Florin Ovidiu Mazilu. VAR: Adrian Viorel Cojocaru. AVAR: Claudiu Marcu.
Venue: Dr. Constantin Rădulescu Stadium
Goals: Cordea Andrei Ioan (6’, 46’, 90+6’ pen.), Bödő Efraim Zoltán (71’).
Yellow cards: Munteanu Louis (40’), Keita Tidiane (50’), Ilie Matei (65’), Ilyés Róbert (79’), Anderson Ceará (79’), Végh Bence (90+5’).
CFR: Hindrich Ottó – Malico Paulino, Ilie Matei, Sinyan Sheriff, Kun György Viktor, Keita Tidiane (Đoković Damjan 77’), Muhar Karlo (Emerllahu Lindon 70’), Fica Alin Răzvan (Adrian Păun 88’), Korenica Meriton (Biliboc Lorenzo 88’), Cordea Andrei Ioan, Munteanu Louis (Cernigoi Iacopo 88’). Head coach: Daniel Gabriel Pancu.
FK Csíkszereda: Pap Eduard Adrian – Gal Andrzely Péter, Maks Celić, Palmeș Raul Ioan, Pászka Lóránd, Végh Bence, Veres Szilárd, Anderson Ceará, Bödő Efraim Zoltán (Brugger Dániel 90+5’), Duinszky Szabolcs (Soufiane Jebari 62’), Szalay Szabolcs (Tóth-Pál Előd 84’). Head coach: Róbert Ilyés.

Láslzó Orbán
Photo: Attila József Riti