We suffered a tough defeat away at Universitatea Cluj in Round 13 of the Women’s Superleague. In a direct battle for second place, we managed only to score a consolation goal.

In cold autumn weather, we suffered a tough defeat away at Universitatea Cluj in Round 13 of the Women’s Superleague. In a direct battle for second place, we managed only to score a consolation goal.

The hosts dictated the pace from the start, while we struggled to find our rhythm. In the 22nd minute, Cluj took the lead: Borodi’s shot was saved by Balog, but Marcu followed up and scored from close range (1–0). Sixteen minutes later, Marcu struck again, converting Bumbăr’s cross into a goal (2–0). Near halftime, Vlădulescu went close, but her shot brushed past the post.

The second half brought no major change. In the 52nd minute, Ciortea scored a stunning free kick into the top right corner (3–0). Six minutes later, we pulled one back when Ana Maria Vlădulescu’s intended cross floated over the goalkeeper and into the net (3–1). In the final stages, Tóbik Melánia hit the crossbar from distance, but no further goals were scored.

With this defeat, we slipped to third place in the standings, while Universitatea Cluj moved up to second.

After the match, our head coach Szilvia Szeitl offered a candid and self-critical assessment: – Everything we built in three weeks collapsed in 90 minutes. When the right attitude is missing and we don’t win the duels, football punishes you immediately – she said.

She emphasized that the loss was primarily mental: – It’s not that anyone didn’t want to win, but when you pull your foot back or stop pressing the ball, that’s not the right mentality. The opponent wanted revenge for the 4–0 loss earlier in the season, and it showed. We have to learn from this – the coach added.

Szeitl also acknowledged the opponent’s performance but stressed that the defeat was mainly due to our own mistakes:
– Congratulations to the opponent; they were better today — but only because we weren’t. We’ll meet again in the playoffs, and we’ll aim to get our revenge. We’re not giving up on our goals – she concluded.

Women’s Football Superleague, Regular Season, Round 13
Universitatea Cluj – FK Csíkszereda 3–1 (2–0).
Referees: Ștef Claudiu, Kopriva Zsolt, Tóth Krisztián.
Scorers: Marcu Carmen (22’, 38’), Ciortea Mara (52’) / Vlădulescu Ana Maria (58’).
Yellow cards: Szőke Eszter (16’), Geréd Erika (71’), Meda Micușan (77’), Ioana Sigheartău (88’), Szilvia Szeitl (90+2’).

FK Csíkszereda: Balog Boglárka – Szőke Eszter (Fülöp Boglárka 56’), Geréd Erika, Magyarics Zoé, Herczeg Andrea (Orbán Aranka 56’), Vlădulescu Ana Maria, Balázs Eszter (Demeter Réka 83’), Szabóvá Sofia, Tóbik Melánia, Antal Anita, Shala Jehona (Feketevízi Tímea 83’).
Head coach: Szilvia Szeitl.

Universitatea Cluj: Todd Elizabeth Ann – Mara Nicole Ciortea (Friesen Delana Kathleen 62’), Andreea Cândea (Shaira Alessandria Pera 90+4’), Carmen Marcu (Alexia Niculescu 90+4’), Teodora Andreea Pînzariu, Ioana Simona Sigheartău, Erin Marieka Van Dolder, Varó Helga Renáta, Sonia Maria Bumbăr (Daiana Maria Oneț 81’), Lidia Brădău, Adina Cristina Borodi (Meda Cristina Micușan 62’).
Head coach: Ioana Alexandra Vela.

László Orbán
Photo: Zoltán Pál (Archive)