10/26/2008

Poli - CFR Cluj 2:1 (2:1)

It's almost like an early Christmas for Poli fans - or more like a perpetual Christmas - as they have been receiving gift after gift from the amazing white-violets in the last few months, lead by the oh-so-brilliant Dusan Uhrin Jr.

In today's game, although CFR managed to put a lot of pressure on the Poli defense by controlling the ball better, Cisovsky majestically held everyone together at the back to neutralize all opportunities the away side could have had. Bucur was the first one to come close to scoring in the 16th minute and CFR replied through Trica, but both shots went wide. Ten minutes later, Artiom Karamyan managed to send a very dangerous ball into the penalty area after a free-kick, and thanks to a fumble by the Cluj defense, the ball reached Cisovsky who converted for a 1:0 lead! It took the white-violets only three minutes to double their advantage and the protagonists were the same: Karamyan took a corner-kick, Cisovsky flew in and sent a header into the net, no chance for Stancioiu! Although CFR were still on top of things possession-wise, Poli came close again in the 42nd minute, when Stancioiu just managed to make a save out of Gigel Bucur's feet. Finally, the away side turned their pressure into something more concrete, as an excellent combination allowed Didi to finish smoothly past Pantilimon in extra-time.
The second half was similar, in that CFR tried to score and Poli had the best opportunities, through Bucur, Stancu and Karamyan, but as the minutes went by, the game broke down into an aggressive play and chances became scarce. As CFR were not able to put Pantilimon under any real pressure, the match ended with a hard earned 2:1 by the white-violets, who climb unto the podium of the first league, despite the six point penalty.

So an excellent job today by Uhrin and his men, especially Cisovsky and Artiom Karamyan. While the former was instrumental in defense, Artiom not only made two assists, but also covered very well for a poor performance by Milhazes.

Poli: Pantilimon (6) - Bădoi (5,5), Brezinsky (6), Cisovsky (8,5), Milhazes (5) - Stancu (5,5), Alexa (5,5), Borbely (5,5), Art. Karamyan (7) - Bucur (6), Parks (5,5)

Magera (5,5), Rusic and Goga replaced Borbely, Parks and Bucur.



Cisovsky goal (min 27):



Cisovsky goal (min 30):



Didi goal (min 45):



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Bucur chance (min 16):



Trică chance (min 17):



Chances by Bucur and Stancu (min 53):




Alexa controversy (min 54):



Karamyan chance (min 66):

10/18/2008

Farul - Poli 1:1 (0:1)

Unfortunately, Poli couldn't keep the wins coming at Constanta, despite dominating the match in the first half and missing a series of good scoring opportunities. Nevertheless, it's not the end of the world, although all points would've been very useful seeing how we'll only be playing top teams in the matches left this year.

I couldn't see the match beacause my internet was crappy, so I'll just leave you with some clips.


Poli: Pantilimon (6) - Bădoi (5), Cisovsky (7), Brezinsky (5,5), Milhazes (5) - Stancu (5), Alexa (6), Borbely (5,5), Art. Karamyan (6) - Bucur (6,5), Magera (5).

Parks (6), Abiodun and Goga came on for Bucur, Stancu and Karamyan.

Bucur goal:



Alibec goal:



Other highlights (going back from the 90th to the 1st minute):

Nae shot:



Cisovsky miss:



Voiculeț miss:



Good chance Karamyan:



Misses Bucur and Karamyan:



Huge miss Bucur:

10/14/2008

Romanian Cup: CFR Cluj II - Poli 0:1 (0:0)

Poli kept it close at Cluj, only managing to score in the third minute of added team to the second half, through Rusic - following a run by Winston Parks.

Poli: Pantilimon - Bădoi, Luchin, Cisovsky, Milhazes - Abiodun (Stancu), Alexa, Magera, Latovlevici (Rusici) - Parks (Sanchez), Goga

10/11/2008

Happy Birthday Dusan!

Today is Dusan Uhrin's 41st birthday and I'm sure everyone wishes him all the best!

A handful of fans though went beyond the wishing and created a website for Dusan, which you can check out at: www.dusanuhrin.com.

10/06/2008

Poli - Gloria Bistriața 1:0 (0:0)

It was a hell of a game, and when I say that I actually mean it was hell. It took the white-violets about 35 minutes to get going, until that point having tallied no shots on goal. Gloria, on the other hand, came close twice, but wasn't able to convert. Only after Bucur's overhead kick in the 38th minute and Borbely's missed header two minutes later did Poli take control of the game.
The second half consisted mostly the mounted pressure on Gloria's goal, but Rusic, Stancu and Goga couldn't make it count. Poli fans had to wait until the 85th minute - and had to suffer a heart stopping moment when Coroian's shot was saved by Pantilimon - when Alexa, at first, sent a header which arguably crossed the line but was not validated, before Goga's cross was excellently headered in by Parks. Gloria tried to pounce back, but couldn't, making this the 7th win in a row for Timisoara!

Mr. Uhrin might have got the first eleven wrong when he decided to send Rusic, Arman Karamyan and Borbely on the pitch instead of Parks, Goga and Magera, but he still managed to pull it off in the end, offically making this the longest victory spell in the club's history. Hopefully, there's more to come!


Poli: Pantilimon (6) - Bădoi (5,5), Cisovsky (6,5), Brezinsky (6,5), Milhazes (5) - Stancu (5), Alexa (6,5), Borbely (5), Arm. Karamyan (5) - Bucur (5,5), Rusici (5)

Magera (5,5), Goga (6) and Parks replaced Borbely, Karamyan and Rusic.

P.S. Congratulatins to Pantilimon and Bucur, who have been called up to the Romania National team.

Parks goal:



Coroian chance:



Goga chance:



Rusic chance:



Borbely chance:



Bucur chance:



Diogo chance:


10/03/2008

UEFA Cup: Partizan - Poli 1:0 (0:0)

Despite playing well, the white-violets weren't able to turn the restul of the first leg around in yesterday's match. In an even encounter, both sides had quite a few scoring opportunities - Poli through Stancu, Brezinsky and Bucur a couple of times, while Pantilimon had to make some impressive saves to keep his clean sheet intact. However, after the white-violets "opened up" in their attempt to score and get back into the race for the UEFA Cup group stage, Partizan had more chances and managed to score the only goal of the game, with a shot from the edge of the area that hit the post before resting in the net. Bucur could have really scored in the last ten minutes, but both times his finishes were not enough to beat the Serbian keeper. So although Poli lost the match, it was after a good performance, in which the players gave their best, but it just wasn't enough.

Hopefully this year's experience will be useful for that of the following years, but until then, the team has to focus on their league matches in order to stay in the race for European qualification, despite the six point penalty.

Poli: Pantilimon (7) - Bădoi (6), Luchin (5,5), Brezinsky (6,5), Milhazes (6) - Stancu (5,5), Alexa (5,5), Borbely (5,5) - Goga (6), Bucur (5,5), Magera (5,5)

Rusic and Arm. Karamyan replaced Stancu and Luchin.