8/29/2008

UEFA Cup: Poli - FK Partizan

The white-violets have been drawn against Serbian team Partizan Belgrade in what should be a very interesting match-up between two teams of practically neighbouring cities (only 150 km sets them apart)! The first leg will take place at the Dan Paltinisanu stadium on the 18th of September, while the return leg will take place on the 2nd of October in Belgrade.

On a different note, Poli won their away match against Gloria Buzau (2-1) thanks to goals from Goga and Rusic, as well as a good all around performance by Artiom Karamyan and Lukas Magera.

8/16/2008

Poli - CS Otopeni 3:1 (1:0)

It's still very hard for Poli to play quality football, but at least home matches have proven unproblematic up to now. With a lot to prove after the shameful loss at Medias, the white-violet players hit it off in a lukewarm fashion, with no big scoring opportunities until the 20th minute, when Rusic scored a gorgeous goal, wrongly disallowed by the linesman. Only two minutes later, Brezinsky managed to open the scoreline after a corner kick, making this his first goal for Poli! Bucur had a one-on-one which he could not convert as the first half was drawing to a close, while the away side came close twice (once after a major Alexa error), but Pantilimon was spot on to keep a clean sheet.
The second half started perfectly, as an excellent counter running by Brezinsky, Magera and Rusic left the former one-on-one with the goalie, and the Slovenian converted beautifully. Then in the 52nd minute Bucur forced a handball off an Otopeni defender while alone on goal, thereby reducing the away side to ten men. Valentin Badoi took the resulting free-kick and his shot rattled the post before the ball rested in goal! Otopeni managed to pull one back after Pantilimon fumbled a ball, but it was not enough for them on this hot late summer night.

Things, however, are far from quiet around here, as a win against lowly Otopeni did not do enough the heal the still open wounds after the Medias affair. With Magera repositioned in midfield, Poli looked better, but still not good enough and more changes will have to take place before it gets more quiet.

Poli: Pantilimon (5,5) - Bădoi (5,5), Luchin (6), Brezinky (6,5), Milhazes (6) - Abiodun (5), Alexa (6), Magera (7), Art. Karamyan (5,5) - Rusici (6), Bucur (6).

Goga and Arm. Karamyan replaced Bucur and Art. Karamyan.

Disallowed goal Rusic:



Goal Brezinsky:



Goal Rusic:



Goal Bădoi:



Goal Cr. Constantin:

8/12/2008

A Bunch of Bits

It's been a tough season debut for Poli, as the inconclusive draw against FC Arges was followed by what seemed at the time to be a conclusive victory against Pandurii at home (two goals Artavazd Karamyan, one Magera), only for the poor performance in the first match to become more indicative of the team's play after a catastrophic 1-5 defeat away at newly promoted Gaz Metan Medias (goal Luchin).

There has been some talk of replacing Dusan Uhrin Jr., but it's not going to happen yet - and I can only hope it won't happen at all this season, because it'd only make things more complicated. Rumor has it that there's friction between players in the dressing room.

Anyway, in a completely unrelated matter, David Sanchez scored twice in the 2:4 loss of Poli II against Gloria Arad today, a match counting for the Romanian Cup.

And in another unrelated matter, Felipe Da Costa was released by the club due to medical reasons.