We wrapped up our training camp with a friendly against an opponent playing excellent football. Third-placed in the Azerbaijani league, FK Zyra fielded four Azerbaijan internationals and several high-quality foreign players.

We wrapped up our training camp with a friendly against an opponent playing excellent football. Third-placed in the Azerbaijani league, FK Zyra fielded four Azerbaijan internationals and several high-quality foreign players. Despite enduring some difficult spells, our outstanding finishing earned us a memorable draw.

In the 14th minute, after two quick passes, Eleskerov fired from 14 metres, slightly from the right, into the top corner (0–1). In the 20th minute the Azeris switched to a three-man defence with the introduction of Ramiz. Three minutes later, a penalty was awarded for Bloj’s foul and converted by Rövlan Muradov (0–2). After half an hour Bödő was forced off and replaced by Szalay.

In the 34th minute, Eppel pulled one back after a mistake from Henrique (1–2), then five minutes later we equalised: Eppel headed home from six metres after Pászka’s set-piece delivery from the left (2–2). Just before the break another penalty followed; Pap got a touch, but Rövlan Muradov’s effort still found the net (2–3). The softly awarded spot-kick was preceded by a clear attacking foul. From the ensuing corner, Eppel almost levelled immediately, but his powerful header bounced out off the right post.

At half-time, head coach Rashad F. Sadigov made a full line-up change, and after the restart the fresher side controlled the game. The Azeri attacks, built on quick circulation and constant movement, put our defence under serious pressure. Amid that pressure, the team coached by Ilyés Róbert looked to respond through counter-attacks.

In the 87th minute, Veres won a free kick from an excellent position. Ibrahim was shown a red card for dissent, and Szalay stepped up to curl the ball from 17 metres over the wall into the top-left corner (3–3). In the first minute of stoppage time, Simon produced a magnificent save to preserve the result, meaning FK Csíkszereda finished the ten-day training camp with three draws.

Competitive action resumes next Sunday: at 3:30 pm, in Round 22 of the Superliga, FC Botoșani visit Miercurea Ciuc.

FK Csíkszereda – FK Zyra 3–3 (2–3)
Scorers: Eppel (34’, 39’), Szalay (87’), respectively Eleskerov (14’), Rövlan Muradov (23’, 45’ – both penalties)
Yellow cards: Anderson (25’), respectively Ramiz (24’), Ruan Renato (58’)
Red card: Ibrahimli (87’)
Corners: 4–2

FK Csíkszereda: Pap (Simon, 58’) – Bloj (Bettini, 62’), Kabashi (Csürös, 58’), Palmeș, Pászka (capt., Trif, 46’) – Dusinszki (Jebari, 62’), Végh (Veres, 58’), Bödő (Szalay, 30’) – Anderson (Bota, 75’), Eppel (Tóth-Pál, 58’), Gustavo (Čelič, 75’). Head coach: Ilyés Róbert.

FK Zyra (first half): Aydin Bayramov – Rövlan Muradov, Eyubov (Ramiz, 20’), Aka (capt.), Henrique – Fuad Bayramov, Nuriyev, Quliev – Ramiz Muradov, Eleskerov, Boqomolski. Head coach: Rashad F. Sadigov.

Ráduly Róbert Kálmán