Having collected only two points from the previous three matches, our qualification hopes were already slim, and a win was essential to keep them alive. In the first half, it seemed there would be no problem achieving that, as Máthé Apor’s brace gave us a two-goal advantage at the break.
Early in the second half, the visitors were awarded a penalty, which Pop converted with a bit of luck. The Cluj side gained confidence, and in the 54th minute the same Pop could have equalised on a counterattack, but Györfi made a brave save, risking his physical safety. Three minutes later, however, he could do nothing against Mircea’s action and the score was level.
Our boys were unable to respond, while the Cluj team, still fighting for qualification, pushed harder for victory. One minute before the end of regular time, Mircea broke into our penalty area and, from a very tight angle, managed to squeeze the ball past Györfi to decide the match.
Elit Cup U17, Western Group A, Round 4
FK Csíkszereda – Viitorul Cluj 2–3 (2–0)
Referees: Cupu Raul, Boncz Gabriel, Tunsoiu Marian. Reserve: Mormeci Robert.
Scorers: Máthé (28’, 44’), respectively Pop (48’ – penalty), Mircea (57’, 89’).
Yellow cards: Oșvat (38’), Méhes Endre (coach – 38’), Tatu-Józsa (81’), Covaciu (90+2’), respectively Palco (51’).
FK Csíkszereda: Györfi – Oșvat, Máthé, Balázs, Baior, Bódi, Tatu-Józsa, Cătrinoi, Covaciu, Bíró, Vass.
Substitutes used: Tóth-Pál M., Ilyés, Kelemen, Prezsmer.
Coach: Méhes Endre.
Viitorul: Avram – Mircea, Chiș, Pop, Ioan, Vingan, Pungea, Rusu, Dodea, Petrovan, Palco.
Substitutes used: Kis, Sos.
Head coach: Mureșan Alin Paul.
Other results: UTA – CFR Cluj 3–1, Poli Timișoara – U Cluj 0–2.
Standings: 1. UTA 12 pts, 2. Viitorul 9, 3. U Cluj 6, 4. CFR 4, 5. FK Csíkszereda 2, 6. Timișoara 1.