Romania round-up: Astra shining at the summit

A 2-0 victory over Astra Ploiesti kept FC Rapid Bucuresti top of Divizia A on Sunday.

Happy birthday
Rapid captain Adrian Iencsi kept his cool from the penalty spot three minutes before half-time to set up the victory, which was sealed midway through the second half by Daniel Niculae, who marked his 20th birthday by scoring his third goal in as many games.

Badea sees red
Meanwhile in Craiova, goals from FC National Bucuresti's Gabriel Caramarin and Sabin Ilie condemned ten-man FC Universitatea Craiova to their third successive defeat. Universitatea captain Pavel Badea received the first red card of his career in a bad afternoon for the home side.

Dinamo drained
CF Sportul Studentesc stayed in third place despite being held to a 0-0 draw by CS Otelul Galati on Saturday, but the day's biggest surprise came in the capital, where FC Gloria Bistrita 1922 recorded a 2-0 victory over champions FC Dinamo Bucuresti thanks to two goals in the last three minutes from Alin Minteuan and Ion Ceausu.

Panduru quits
FC UTA Arad's 4-3 victory at FC Politehnica AEK Timisoara not only lifted them off the foot of the table, but sparked the resignation of Politehnica's technical director, Basarab Panduru. An own goal from lorin Constantinovici plus strikes from Jeremie Njock and Petrus Manta paved the way for Octavian Chitescu to wrap up victory for Arad in the third minute of added time.

Steaua held
In the day's other games, FC Arges-Dacia Pitesi beat FCM Bacau 3-2, FC Brasov defeated FC Farul Constanta 2-0 and FC Steaua Bucuresti drew 0-0 with FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt.