We were unable to extend our five-match unbeaten run, suffering a 2–1 defeat away to Politehnica Timișoara in Round 8 of the championship play-offs after conceding the decisive goal in stoppage time.

We were unable to extend our five-match unbeaten run, suffering a 2–1 defeat away to Politehnica Timișoara in Round 8 of the championship play-offs after conceding the decisive goal in stoppage time.

The weather was ideal for football on Saturday afternoon, but the match itself was intense and physical, with many hard duels. We worked tirelessly and created more chances than our opponents. After falling behind following a goal that came from a goalkeeping error, we fought back into the game, but we could not respond to the late winner.

We started the match more actively and already in the 6th minute created two major opportunities. Rosenblatt’s free kick was parried by Roșu, and Vlădulescu sent the rebound back into the box, but Nombot did not arrive in time. In the 16th minute, the hosts took the lead: a ball delivered inside the penalty area was finished by Bucșa (1–0). Four minutes later, Rus came close to doubling the advantage. During the middle phase of the first half, Timișoara imposed their rhythm, which was also reflected on the scoreboard. The intensity of the match is shown by the fact that play was stopped five times for medical treatment.

We responded quickly after the break. In the 48th minute, Vlădulescu’s shot was blocked by hand inside the penalty area, and she calmly converted the resulting penalty herself (1–1). We continued to apply pressure, while the home side relied on counterattacks. Nombot, Orbán, Vlădulescu and Antal all came close to scoring the winner, but our chances went unfinished.

In the 68th minute, Böröcz made a brilliant save from Rus’s free kick, and later denied substitute Șepețan in a one-on-one situation. Just when it seemed the match would end in a draw, in the third minute of stoppage time, Șepețan broke through again and finished into the right corner to decide the match (2–1).

With this defeat, the fate of the championship title is no longer solely in our hands. Mathematically, we still have a chance, but from now on other results will also influence our position.

After the match, head coach Szeitl Szilvia said:

“We came to Timișoara with very positive momentum, being on a good run. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win. We conceded a goal in the first half that could have been avoided, but that’s football. Our goalkeeper had performed excellently until now, but mistakes can happen. At halftime I asked the team not to leave her in such a situation, as she has saved us countless times before. The team reacted well and equalised quickly, but from our numerous chances we failed to score and close the match. Football punished us: we didn’t take our opportunities, while the opponent had one decisive action and scored. I’m very sorry because we deserved to keep moving forward. We will not give up and will continue fighting. Our destiny is no longer entirely in our hands, but we still believe we can win the title. We must win the remaining four matches and then hope that Farul drop points.”

We return to action on May 9, Saturday at 12:00, when we host Farul Constanța at the Burus Csaba Sportpark.

Women’s Superleague, Play-offs, Round 8
Politehnica Timișoara–FK Csíkszereda 2–1 (1–0).
Venue: Știința Stadium, Timișoara
Scorers: Bucșa Aida Maria (16), Șepețan Andreea Dragana Daiana (90+3), respectively Vlădulescu Ana Maria (49 – penalty).
Yellow cards: Vlădulescu Ana Maria (45), Ienovan Larisa Bianca (53), Balázs Csilla (66), Jivan Anda Gabriela (89), Roșu Cosmina (90).
Referees: Iviniș Darius Florin, Nistor Daniel, Cășuț Cristian.

Politehnica Timișoara: Roșu Cosmina – Bucșa Aida Maria (Șepețan Andreea Dragana Daiana 63), Rus Laura Roxana, Kurja Nikoleta, Bucșa Ariana Ștefania Gabriela (Noje Tania Teodora 82), Ienovan Larisa Bianca, Colesnicenco Nadejda, Marin Ariana Ioana (Cioablă Dana Maria 63), Dovîncescu Roxana Maria (Șodinca Melisa Sabrina 58), Heisu Denisa Nicoleta, Jivan Anda. Head coach: Ștefan Ovidiu Preda.
FK Csíkszereda: Böröcz Bettina – Hana My Rosenblatt, Vlădulescu Ana Maria, Antal Anita, Lindsey Leigh Porter, Geréd Erika, Orbán Aranka (Herczeg Andrea 74), Nombot Annabelle Natsi, Balázs Csilla, Fülöp Boglárka, Kis Anita. Head coach: Szeitl Szilvia.

László Orbán
Photo: Zoltán Pál (archive)