Romania round-up: Rapid pegged back
Saturday, April 26, 2003
Article summary
FC Rapid Bucuresti's title bid was damaged by a 2-1 defeat by second-placed city rivals FC Steaua Bucuresti.
Article body
FC Rapid Bucuresti wasted the chance to virtually secure the Romanian First Division title with six matches still left to play when they were defeated 2-1 by second-placed city rivals FC Steaua Bucuresti on Saturday.
Missed opportunity
A win for Rapid would have given them a practically unassailable eleven-point lead at the top of the table but instead the difference was reduced to just five points, leaving plenty at stake in the championship run-in.
Badoi opener
Valentin Badoi gave his side the lead in the fifth minute but Steaua equalised through Gabriel Bostina, who finished from close range. Just before half-time Claudiu Raducanu, the leading scorer in the league this season, collected his 14th of the campaign to give Steaua a crucial win.
UEFA chance
Third-placed FC Brasov, meanwhile, remained strong candidates for second position and a UEFA Cup berth after they defeated CS Otelul Galati 2-0 to secure their fifth successive victory. Mihai Stere opened the scoring in the eleventh minute and Romeo Surdu made the points safe with fifteen minutes to go.
Bucuresti form
FC National Bucuresti, in fourth, are another team on form and played well to edge past ninth-placed Astra Ploiesti 1-0. Gabriel Caramarin's 26th-minute goal proved the difference in a fiercely contested match.
Crucial point
FCM Bacau, in eighth, obtained an important point against CF Gloria Bistrita 1922 thanks to a scoreless draw while CF Sportul Studentesc's 3-1 defeat of third-bottom FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara gave them the boost they needed in their struggle against relegation. The home side came from 1-0 down after Irinel Voicu had given Politehnica the lead, thanks to goals from Gheorghe Bucur, Ionut Mazilu and Cristian Irimia.
Arges comeback
FC Arges, in 12th, defeated FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt 2-1 despite going behind to a 40th-minute goal from Florin Axinia. Marius Bilasco and Claudiu Somcherechi turned the match on its head in the second half.
Well-earned point
FC Farul Constanta and mid-table FC Universitatea Craiova drew 2-2 in a thrilling encounter. Liviu Mihai struck both goals for the home team while Zeno Bundea and Marius Sava ensured the vistors took a well-earned point. FC Dinamo Bucuresti played out a scoreless draw with last-placed FC UTA Arad.
