Team of the matchday - Round 16 (1-3-4-3):
Marius Popa (FCU Politehnica Timișoara) - Cosmin Contra (FCU Politehnica
Timișoara), Daniel Munteanu (Oțelul Galați), Marius Constantin (Rapid
București) - Tiberiu Bălan (Sportul Studențesc București), Robert Ilyeș,
Costin Lazăr (Sportul Studențesc București), Adrian Olah (FC Național
București) - Viorel Moldovan (FCU Politehnica Timișoara), Ciprian Tănasă
(FC Argeș Pitești), Gheorghe Bucur (Sportul Studențesc București).
Marius Popa (FCU Politehnica Timișoara) - In last years,
Divizia A was full of foreign goalkeepers like Hamutovski, Gaev, Dossey,
Guso, Stanev or Pesić, fact which was felt at national team, where in
absence of Lobonț, Iordănescu or Pițurcă called the veteran Stelea. For
the match against Holland, Pițurcă will convoke surely the keeper of Poli,
Marius Popa, who showed in the match with CFR Cluj that he is in a great
form. In 5 minute, the most dangerous striker of CFR, Anca, came on contre-attack,
but Popa got to 18 metres and took the ball; in 43 minute he saved a dangerous
cross of Oncică; Bruncević came fast at a contre-attack, but Popa catched
the ball in the last moment; in 65 minute he won a one to one duel and
with 5 minutes before the final he catched the ball sent by Florin Dan.
Robert Ilyeș (Rapid București) - The midfielder of Rapid
had a good night, being the best player of the match. He played in defensive
but in offensive too. In 10 minute Artavazd Karamyan crossed from the
left side, the ball came at Ilyeș, who executed with cold blood the keeper
Arcanu. 14 minutes later, he saw Arcanu is out from the post and tried
to score the goal of the championship but the ball passed over the bar...
Viorel Moldovan (FCU Politehnica Timișoara) - Even he
will have on August 33 years, Moldovan is in a good form. In 19 minute
he headed the cross of Paleacu, but the goalkeeper Ștef had good reflexes
and rejected the ball. In 24 minute Moldovan passed with the heel to Silvășan
who scored. After a few minutes the veteran of Poli shot from 6 metres,
the keeper rejected hard, into corner. In second half Moldovan scored
a superb goal, with the head, from 12 metres, after a cross from Silvășan.
The coach of national team of Romania, Victor Pițurcă, said he will try
to make Moldovan to return at national team, even he retired official
one year ago...
Gheorghe Bucur (Sportul Studențesc Bucuresti) - In winter
break, Gigel Bucur was wanted by Steaua, Dinamo, Rapid, and even of Dinamo
Kyiv. He was close to sign with Rapid, but the chairman of this club,
Dinu Gheorghe, tried to trick him: Bucur should play 24 matches for Rapid,
otherwise he would have received less money, but Rapid is known for cases
like this, and Bucur, after 22-23 matches, wouldn't have been sent to
play... Bucur felt the trick and remained at Sportul. Dan Petrescu sent
him to the field in 60 minute, replacing Marius Nae. He scored in 70 minute
after a croos in the box, with the head, even he has just 171 cm, over
the keeper Cotora. In 76 minute Tibi Bălan was fouled by Ciobanu in the
penalty area and Bucur scored again. In extra time Tibi Bălan passed excellent
to Bucur who scored his third goal in this match, and the fourth of Sportul.
Bucur is the leader of the topscorers with Daniel Niculae from Rapid,
both having 13 goals in this season.