After a dramatic battle, coming from two goals down, missing a penalty, and then finishing the match with ten players, our U15 girls’ team earned their place in the Final Four with a victory against Farul Constanța.

After a dramatic battle, coming from two goals down, missing a penalty, and then finishing the match with ten players, our U15 girls’ team earned their place in the Final Four with a victory against Farul Constanța.

In the most important home match of the season, Portik Helga’s side proved their quality. Our team went into Sunday’s noon quarter-final, played on the artificial pitch next to the Erőss Zsolt Arena, after a perfect campaign in Group B of the Elite League, with maximum points, 54 goals scored and only three conceded. The big question was how the balance of power would look against Farul Constanța, who finished second in Group A and represent the traditions of the Gheorghe Hagi Academy.

Our team started somewhat nervously and fell behind almost immediately. A run down the left was stopped illegally inside the penalty area, and Mauna converted the resulting spot-kick. Shortly afterwards, the visitors made the most of their second chance as well, finishing off a counter-attack, so after 15 minutes we were already two goals down. Our girls, however, refused to give up. Just three minutes later, their fighting spirit paid off, as Johanna Zvenyák’s low long-range shot found its way into the Constanța net (1–2).

At the start of the second half, Pap-Ieney Ingrid equalised, but we were unable to convert a penalty awarded in our favour, and in the 58th minute we were also reduced to ten players after Benedek Boglárka received her second yellow card. Despite this, the game continued to be played in front of the visitors’ goal until the final whistle, with Portik Helga’s players clearly showing that they wanted more to settle the match before the end of normal time.

That brave and attacking approach finally paid off in the second minute of the five added on, when, after a situation created from a corner, Benő Emőke found the net.

Head coach Portik Helga said after the match: “It was a tough match. Even though we controlled most of the game, our opponents took the lead early on. Fortunately, we did not give up for a single minute. We built many attacks, which led to good chances, but we were not accurate enough with the finishing. Step by step, we managed to move forward until we equalised. We took the lead in the final minutes, which shows tremendous strength, because we scored the winning goal in the most intense moment. We are very happy to have qualified for the Final Four. It was a wonderful feeling to win, because the girls truly deserve to be there. I am very proud of them! They fought sensationally until the very end, and we kept pushing forward until we managed to win. Next week we will continue our work and prepare for the Final Four. Many thanks to the parents and supporters for coming out in such numbers and supporting us!”

In the Final Four, expected to take place around 17 June, FK Csíkszereda will face Rapid Bucharest, Politehnica Timișoara and U Olimpia Cluj.

U15 Women’s Elite League, quarter-final
FK Csíkszereda–Farul Constanța 3–2 (1–2)

Referees: Szakács József, Tóth János, Medesan Eusebiu.

Goals: Zvenyák Johanna Rita (18), Pap-Ieney Ingrid Alexandra (44), Benő Emőke (80+2), respectively Mauna Alessia (5 – penalty), Ghengheaua Crina Maria (14).

Yellow cards: Benedek Boglárka (33), Benedek Boglárka (58), Orbán Anna (67), Pap Ingrid Alexandra (80+3), respectively Doicaru Karina Andreea (77).

Sent off: Benedek Boglárka (58, after a second yellow card).

FK Csíkszereda: Szilágyi Dorka Zéfi – Benő Emőke, Balog Anita, Zvenyák Johanna Rita, Pap Ingrid Alexandra, Péter Nóra-Kinga, Basa Brigitta, Lukács Boglárka, Benedek Boglárka, Orbán Anna (capt.), Sándor Bernadett.
Substitutes: Maksai Klementina, Daczó Biborka, Gergely Anita, Trînfuj Nikolett, Györfi Nóra, Koss Evelyn Anna, Tóth Kincső, Bálint Bianka, Benedek Elvira.
Head coach: Portik Helga. Assistant coach: Szőcs Renáta. Goalkeeping coach: Ferencz Levente.

Farul Constanța: Caracostea Rebeca Ștefania – Gheorghe Natalia Maria, Marin Eliza Mihaela, Niță Antonia Maria, Mauna Alessia Marina, Rafailă Gabriela Flavia, Doicaru Karina Andreea, Leța Maria Rebeca, Constantin Tabita Marilena, Budel Diana Maria, Ghengheaua Crina Maria (capt.).
Substitutes: Geomadin Melissa Maria, Ciocică Maria Teodora, Scarlat Gabriela Irina, Pungă Roxana Ionela, Chisoceanu Antonia Maria.
Head coach: Florinel Burcea.

R. A.
Photo: Pál Zoltán