Although our U18 team took the lead, they eventually remained without points at home against Viitorul Cluj in the Cup, missing the opportunity to secure qualification one round before the end of the group stage.

Although our U18 team took the lead, they eventually remained without points at home against Viitorul Cluj in the Cup, missing the opportunity to secure qualification one round before the end of the group stage.

We faced the Cluj side with 9 points from three matches, aiming to secure our place in the next stage before the final round. The first half ended goalless, but we came closer through chances by Noveli and Nyitra. In the 56th minute, our dominance paid off: Brügger’s cross from the left was headed into the net by Juhos. In the 65th minute, Kárándi could have doubled the lead, but he lifted the ball over both the goalkeeper and the crossbar.

The turning point came in the 72nd minute, when after consulting with his assistant, the referee awarded a penalty against us for an incident near the edge of the box. Țelină converted confidently. Five minutes later, Vagner attempted a shot from around 40 metres, Antonucci was caught off guard, and with this unfortunate goal from our perspective, the visitors turned the game around and claimed the win.

However, not everything is lost for us, as we have remained at the top of the standings. Universitatea Cluj has caught up with us on points, and in the final round we will face them in the city of Cluj. We need at least one point in that match to finish in one of the top two places that secure qualification.

Youth Cup U18, West Group A, Round 4
FK Csíkszereda – Viitorul Cluj 1–2 (0–0)

Referees: Mormeci Dumitru Robert, Boncz Gabriel, Tunsoiu Marian. Reserve: Cupu Raul George
Scorers: Juhos Gábor (56) / Țelină Darius (72 – penalty), Vagner Raul (79)
Yellow cards: Polgár (14), Kárándi (77) / Țelină (57), Făgărău (64), Pop (89)

FK Csíkszereda: Antonucci – Bencze, Rónai, Juhos, Nyitra, Noveli, Brügger, Papp, Tóth-Pál E., Polgár, Kertész. Also played: Kárándi R., Erdei, Dandé. Head coach: Kopunovic Goran.

Viitorul: Fufezan – Savin, Sântejudean, Popa, Vagner, Gheoghiu, Crăciun, Țelină, Făgărău, Irimie, Pop. Also played: Furcea, Oltean. Head coach: Minteuan Alin Ilie.

Other results: Poli Timișoara – Universitatea Cluj 0–1, UTA Arad – CFR Cluj 2–3.

Standings:
1. FK Csíkszereda 9 pts (10–3), 2. Universitatea Cluj 9 (11–5), 3. CFR Cluj 6 (6–8), 4. Viitorul 6 (7–10), 5. UTA 4, 6. Poli 1.

R. A.
Photo: Pál Zoltán