Romania round-up: Rapid move further away
Thursday, April 17, 2003
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FC Rapid Bucuresti extended their lead to eleven points as they beat Astra Ploiesti 4-1.
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Second-half comeback
Rapid finally secured their first home win of 2003, but only after falling behind to a 38th-minute Dinu Todoran penalty. Following a rousing half-time talk from coach Mircea Rednic, Rapid defender Vasile Maftei headed his team level and then ahead on 51 and 57 minutes. Astra striker Mihai Dascalescu was dismissed on the hour, Florin Bratu made it 3-1 with 15 minutes to go and captain Adrian Iencsi's penalty clinched victory four minutes from time.
Close game
Meanwhile Steaua lost ground after their first defeat in nine matches, going down 1-0 at FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt. In a close match of relatively few chances, Marian Purica struck on 71 minutes to decide the match, although both teams hit the crossbar.
Nine-man National defeated
FC National Bucuresti missed the chance to move level on points with Steaua in the race for second place as they were defeated 2-1 by FC Universitatea Craiova. Universitatea, whose record in the capital in 2003 has seen them beat Rapid and hold Steaua, gained an early advantage when National player-assistant coach Dan Petrescu was sent off on 32 minutes for dissent. Sergiu Radu put National ahead just before the break, but Corneliu Papura headed the visitors level on 50 minutes. Mihaita Plesan, also from a header, gave Universitatea the lead 17 minutes from the end, and National were down to nine men on 87 minutes when Slavisa Mitrovic was dismissed for use of an elbow.
Dinamo nightmare continues
Champions FC Dinamo Bucuresti lost their seventh successive game to remain without a point in 2003, beaten 1-0 at CF Gloria Bistrita 1922. Lucian Sanmartean's 20th-minute free-kick took UEFA Cup challengers Gloria up to fourth, while the soon to be deposed title-holders are tenth and in danger of being sucked into the relegation play-offs, just two points off the bottom four.
Arad in trouble
Elsewhere, FC Brasov remain fifth after winning 1-0 at FC Farul Constanta - who missed a late penalty - while FC UTA Arad are close to relegation following their 1-0 derby defeat by FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara. FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti beat relegation rivals FCM Bacau 3-1, while CF Sportul Studentesc gave themselves hope of survival as they overcame CS Otelul Galati 2-0.
