Poli - FC Brasov 4:0 (2:0)

Talk about finishing a year in style! The white-violets managed to impress on this last match before the winter break, a feat even more impressive considering FC Brasov had only conceded nine goals in the first sixteen matches.

It's not a secret that the players were playing for Dusan Uhrin, who had been threatened with the sack from the always oblivious Marian Iancu if the team didn't win today. The Timisoara owner might have even relished the first fifteen minutes of play, in which Brasov dominated the match, without creating any real scoring opportunities though. Poli turned it around thanks to a huge defensive blunder by the away side, as Pantilimon's long ball was sent past goalkeeper Stelea by one of his defenders in the 18th minute! Ten minutes later Artiom Karamyan made it two, after receiving a great pass from Bucur, and things were more or less in the clear. Stancu and Goga could've scored a third goal before half time, but first Stelea saved well and then the long shot went a bit over.
Magera's huge one-on-one miss in the 50th minute was just a sign of more goals to come. Fifteen minutes later, the Czech midfielder/striker headered a Goga cross into goal, leaving Stelea helpless and putting the game beyond doubt. Artiom Karamyan had a shot go wide in the 80th minute, before Magera scored his second of the night, after Badoi's cross reached Parks, who sent the ball to Magera and the latter made no mistakes. Brasov had their first scoring opportunity in the last minute of play, but Pantilimon saved well in front of Surdu to keep a well deserved clean sheet.

So we're halway through the season and the league table looks fine, even without the six points that Mr. Iancu has been claiming are on their way back to Timisoara. Fact is, Dusan Uhrin Jr. made miracles with a more or less mediocre squad and if things go okay during the winter break, it can still get better. But it's going to be a long winter break...

Poli: Pantilimon (6,5) - Badoi (6), Luchin (6), Cisovsky (6), Latovlevici (5,5) - Stancu (5,5), Alexa (6,5), Magera (6,5), Art. Karamyan (5,5) - Goga (6,5), Bucur (6)

Parks (6), Rusic and Arm. Karamyan replaced Bucur, Art. Karamyan and Goga.


Voicu own goal (min 19):



Karamyan goal (min 28):



Magera goal (min 63):



Magera goal (min 83):



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Stancu lob (min 37):



Goga shot (min 44):



Magera miss (min 50):



Karamyan miss (min 80):