Our boys’ youth teams completed an unbeaten weekend: the U16 and U15 sides both recorded convincing victories over CSS Târgoviște, while the U18 and U17 teams earned a point away to Viitorul Cluj. Our U14 and U13 sides claimed emphatic wins in Vaslui. Our six teams scored a total of 29 goals.
Our boys’ youth teams completed an unbeaten weekend: the U16 and U15 sides both recorded convincing victories over CSS Târgoviște, while the U18 and U17 teams earned a point away to Viitorul Cluj. Our U14 and U13 sides claimed emphatic wins in Vaslui. Our six teams scored a total of 29 goals.
With three rounds remaining in the regular season, our U16 team lead their group, the U15s sit second, the U17s are third, while our U18 side lead the western group thanks to their superior goal difference. In all four age categories, the top four teams in each group qualify for the play-offs.
U18
After a goalless first half, our U18 team took the lead away to Viitorul Cluj, with Máthé Apor finding the net in the 67th minute. The hosts turned the game around through two goals from substitute Chiș Darius, but Tóth-Pál Milán equalised late on to secure a 2–2 draw.
After eight rounds, our U18 side lead the western group of the Youth League with 16 points. Viitorul Cluj and Universitatea Craiova have also collected 16 points, but our team are ahead of their rivals thanks to a better goal difference. Fourth-placed UTA Arad have 14 points, while Universitatea Cluj and CFR Cluj are fifth and sixth respectively with 13 points each.
The top four teams qualify for the play-offs, meaning that with three rounds remaining in the regular season we hold a three-point advantage over Universitatea Cluj, the first team outside the play-off places. Qualification is not yet secure, and the battle at the top is extremely tight: the leading three teams are level on points, while only three points separate first from sixth. Every point gained in the closing rounds will therefore be particularly important.
Youth League, regular season, western group, Round 8
Viitorul Cluj–FK Csíkszereda 2–2 (0–0)
Scorers: Chiș Darius (75, 83), and Máthé Apor (67), Tóth-Pál Milán (89).
Viitorul Cluj: Poptean David (c) – Sos Erik, Dragomir David, Vaida Devik, Vingan Alex, Friciu Gabriel (Chiș Darius, 70), Rusu Marc, Pungea George (Ioan Alexandru, 70), Pop Darius, Țelină Darius (Szabo Artur, 90+1), Andronesi Mihai. Other substitutes: Ivănică Eduard, Dodea Paul, Palco Rafael, Kis Levente, Pop Horea, Dondoș Nicolae. Head coach: Minteuan Alin Ilie.
FK Csíkszereda: Györfi Krisztián – Miara Dominik, Kertész Márk, Papp György, Cătrinoi Cornea, Máthé Apor (c), Bota Darius (Ilyés Máté, 77), Noveli Luca, Tóth-Pál Milán, Bódi Lehel, Oșvat Darius. Other substitutes: Covaciu Roland, Marian Robert, Szkács Tamás, Orbán Márton, Baior Darius, Prezsmer Victor. Head coach: Goran Kopunović.
U17
The first half of the U17 match in Cluj also ended without a goal. Viitorul Cluj took the lead in the 72nd minute through Crăciunaș Vlad. Our team fought until the very last moment for an equaliser, and their efforts were rewarded in stoppage time, when Oniga Victor rescued a point in the 90+4th minute.
Our U17 side sit third in the western group with 17 points. Campionii FC Argeș and Viitorul Cluj lead the standings with 19 points each, while fourth-placed CFR Cluj also have 17. UTA Arad and Universitatea Cluj are fifth and sixth respectively with 14 points each.
The top four teams qualify for the play-offs, meaning that with three rounds remaining in the regular season our team hold a three-point advantage over UTA Arad, the first side outside the qualifying positions. Play-off qualification is not yet secure, but our team have their fate in their own hands and remain in contention for top spot in the group, trailing the two leaders by just two points.
U17 Elit League, regular season, western group, Round 8
Viitorul Cluj–FK Csíkszereda 1–1 (0–0)
Scorers: Crăciunaș Vlad (72), and Oniga Victor (90+4).
Viitorul Cluj: Toșa Daniel – Péntek Milán (Brândușan Matei, 69), Crăciunaș Vlad, Codrea Vlad (c) (Baboș Robert, 86), Varga Eric, Pop Patrick, Gligor Paul (Tarța Daniel, 46), Palade Ștefan (Roșiu Darius, 69), Nagy Róbert (Oros Darius, 63), Simota Ianis, Pîrv Septimiu. Other substitutes: Csiszer Matei, Laco David, Ciobanu Denis, Stan Matei, Câmpian Luca. Head coach: Sălăgean Sever Călin.
FK Csíkszereda: Bâlbâe Róbert – Hella-Fehér Dániel (Jánosi Zsolt, 84), Hegedüs Cristian (Lukács Bence, 60), Keresztes Ákos, Fülöp Farkas, Klein Tizian, Fazakas Zalán (Szabó Örs, 46), Jánoska-Máthé Krisztián, Oniga Victor, Györfi Bence (c), Orbán Hunor (Ambrus Lukács, 84). Other substitutes: Fazakas Gellért, Șeitan-Pataki Dávid, Kajtár András. Head coach: Mitra Szilárd.
U16
Murgui Mario gave our U16 side the lead as early as the third minute against CSS Târgoviște. It remained the only goal of the first half, but after the break our dominance was increasingly reflected on the scoreboard.
Debrenti Milán doubled the advantage in the 47th minute before Matei Darius also found the net. Debrenti scored again in the 64th and 89th minutes to complete his hat-trick. Kiss Hunor also got on the scoresheet as our team ran out 6–0 winners.
The U16s remain unbeaten at the top of Group 1: they have won seven of their eight matches and drawn one, collecting 22 points. Second-placed Kids Tâmpa Brașov and third-placed Sepsi OSK are five points behind our team. Chindia Târgoviște occupy fourth place, the final play-off position, with 15 points, while fifth-placed Botoșani have 14.
According to Fogarasi Zoltán’s assessment, the victory secured his team a place in the play-offs, meaning that in the final three regular-season matches the focus can shift to preserving top spot in the group and entering the next stage from the most favourable position possible.
U16 Elit League, regular season, Group 1, Round 8
FK Csíkszereda–CSS Târgoviște 6–0 (1–0)
Our scorers: Murgui Mario (3), Debrenti Milán (47, 64, 89), Matei Darius (54), Kiss Hunor (85).
FK Csíkszereda: Déva Kristóf – Kiss Hunor, Kósa Áron (c) (Deák Kristóf, 46), Forró Patrik (Matei Darius, 46), Sipos Tamás, Boér Szabolcs (Parhon Luca, 46), Szabó Ákos, Murgui Mario (Ferencz Kristóf, 70), Lukács Bence, Debrenti Milán, Székely Edmond (Polgár József, 70). Other substitute: Géczi Mihály. Head coach: Fogarasi Zoltán.
CSS Târgoviște: Nedelcu Luca (Popescu Fabricio, 46) – Bondac Andrei (Dincă Dragoș, 1), Vălu Antonio (c), Pică Andrei, Geică Tudor (Uță Rareș, 46), Stoica Silviu, Popescu David, Tincă Robert (Șerbănoiu Raul, 66), Urzică Radu, Lecoiu Flavius, Parotă Bogdan (Ghiță David, 83).
Fogarasi Zoltán said his team had prepared with particular seriousness throughout the week, knowing that a victory could even secure their place in the play-offs. The coaching staff therefore analysed the opposition in detail.
– We prepared very seriously for this match throughout the week because we knew that a win could even secure our place in the play-offs. Accordingly, we also studied our opponents and saw that, neither individually nor as a team nor in any particular unit, were they stronger than our side.
According to the head coach, his players took control from the opening minute. The early goal settled the team, although they were unable to convert their further first-half opportunities.
– We started the match accordingly: we immediately took control, dominated the game and created several chances during the first half. The early goal had a calming effect on the team. The opportunities kept coming, but we were unable to convert them.
Following a structural change at half-time, our team became more effective in reaching the opposition penalty area, while the finishing also improved considerably.
– We changed the structure slightly in the second half, which allowed us to get into dangerous areas even more effectively. We began turning more of those situations into goals, and in the end that was reflected in the size of the victory.
Fogarasi also gave more playing time to several players who had previously featured mainly as substitutes. In his assessment, they all made good use of the opportunity.
– Naturally, I also gave more opportunities – including starts – to players who had mostly come off the bench until now. I think they made the most of the trust they were given and showed that we can count on them when more serious tasks have to be solved as well. From that point of view, I can be satisfied with the performance, the number of goals we scored and the individual displays too.
Having secured a play-off place, the final three regular-season rounds now take on a new significance: our team want to carry as many points as possible into the next stage.
– The next three matches will no longer be about whether or not we make the play-offs, but rather about how many points we take with us into the play-offs. We want to perform well in these games and we will prepare accordingly for our remaining three league matches.
The head coach was also pleased that the additional demands brought by the start of the school year did not lead to any decline in the players’ performances during the match.
– I am also pleased that despite the start of school – which usually causes a drop in the players’ performance – we did not see that in the match. It was noticeable in our work during the week that their focus is now divided, but there was no sign of it at all during the game. Everyone was extremely focused on the match and on their own performance. I repeat: I am completely satisfied with what I saw – Fogarasi Zoltán concluded.
U15
Törő Milán put our U15 team ahead in the 18th minute against CSS Târgoviște before Jánosi Hunor also found the net before half-time. Törő scored his second shortly after the break, while Hajnal László and Gagiu Milán added further goals as our side recorded a 5–0 victory.
The win lifted our U15 team into second place. After eight rounds they have 19 points, the same tally as third-placed FC Bacău, and trail leaders ACS Juniorul 2014 by just one point. Sepsi OSK occupy fourth place, the final play-off position, with 17 points, while fifth-placed Petrolul have 16.
With three rounds remaining in the regular season, we hold a three-point advantage over Petrolul, the first team outside the play-off places. Qualification therefore cannot yet be considered secure, but the U15s are in a favourable position ahead of the remaining matches. First place in the group also remains within reach.
U15 Elit League, regular season, Group 1, Round 8
FK Csíkszereda–CSS Târgoviște 5–0 (2–0)
Our scorers: Törő Milán (18, 48), Jánosi Hunor (40), Hajnal László (56), Gagiu Milán (76).
FK Csíkszereda: Bokor Kristóf – Farkas Ábel (Bartis Balázs, 53), Lovas Bence, Jánosi Hunor, Becze Balázs (Hajnal László, 46), Sângerean Darius, Törő Milán, Gagiu Milán, Kozma Gergő (c) (Páll Árpád, 50), Ilyés Gergő (Szővérfi Rajmond, 50), Bejinariu Lucas (Makkai Vince, 46). Other substitutes: Benő Ádám, Benkes András, Ábrahám Ábel, Brügger Péter. Head coach: Burus Bernát.
CSS Târgoviște: Mușescu Paul (Arsene Sebastian, 70) – Dobre Patrick (Nițoi Nicolas, 47), Dan Marius, Șerban David (Stanciu Ștefan, 47), Andrei Alexandru, Ani Vlad (Ifrim Yanis, 70), Barac Constantin, Banu Mario, Ilie Andreas (c), Banu Georgian (Sandu Alberto, 70), Dumitru Ianis. Other substitute: Gogioiu Andrei.
Burus Bernát described the match as a solid and convincing victory. He said his team controlled the game throughout and gave their opponents virtually no chance to create either clear opportunities or dangerous situations.
– It was a solid, convincing victory. We gave the opposition practically no chance to create opportunities or even get into dangerous situations. The boys took the match very seriously and did a truly professional job in order to move closer to the goals we have set ourselves.
The other results also went our way, allowing our team to move up one place in the table and close the gap to the group leaders to just one point. The head coach stressed, however, that the team must not focus solely on the standings during the final stages of the regular season.
– Not least, the other results also went in such a way that we were able to move up one position in the table and are now only one point behind the leaders of the group. But we must not attach too much importance to that at this stage. Our main focus should not be on the table, but on the fact that we still have three matches left, and we must approach all of them with maximum concentration and attention.
According to Burus, carrying the same level of performance and mentality forward could be the key to reaching the play-offs.
– If we maintain the necessary focus for these three games and can play with the same mentality, there should be no question about whether we will make the play-offs. We have to carry this level of football and this mentality forward. If we can maintain it in the coming matches, then we certainly deserve our place in the play-offs – Burus Bernát concluded.
Pre-Academy
U14
Our U14 team recorded a convincing victory in an eight-goal match away to CSM Vaslui. Bíró Patrik scored twice, while Kocsis Attila, Monori Máté, Tikosi Magor and Balogh Baltazár each contributed one goal to the 6–2 win.
U14 Elit League, regular season, Group 2, Round 6
CSM Vaslui–FK Csíkszereda 2–6
Our scorers: Bíró Patrik (2), Kocsis Attila, Monori Máté, Tikosi Magor, Balogh Baltazár.
Our line-up: Géczi Mihály – Bíró Patrik, Márton Balázs, Páll Dávid, Monori Máté, Tikosi Magor, Lukács Gellért, Márton Zsombor, Kocsis Attila, Páll Árpád, Gellér Zsombor.
Also played: Csiszer Botond, Albert Alpár, Ambrus Gergő, Kercsó Bence, Balogh Baltazár.
Other squad members: Balogh Áron, Szabó Balázs, Oanea Patrik.
Coaches: Hodgyai László, Barabási Roland.
U13
Our U13 side won in Vaslui without conceding and scored nine goals. Jánosi Áron struck a hat-trick, Antonache Alex scored twice, while Ábrahám Csanád, Balázs Bulcsú, Cseke Márton and Potyó Ádám also got on the scoresheet.
U13 Elit League, regular season, Group 2, Round 6
CSM Vaslui–FK Csíkszereda 0–9 (0–3)
Our scorers: Jánosi Áron (3), Antonache Alex (2), Ábrahám Csanád, Balázs Bulcsú, Cseke Márton, Potyó Ádám.
Our line-up: Fazakas Kevin (Bilibok Csanád) – Borvíz Dávid (Kóka Szilárd), Bodor Dávid (Cseke Márton), Vrencean Kristóf (Portik David), Blagu Petru (Antal János) – Parajdi Zsombor (Tordai Kristóf), Antonache Alex (Balázs Bulcsú, Ábrahám Csanád), Tóth Krisztián (Jánosi Áron) – Bâlbâe Krisztián (Potyó Ádám).
Coaches: Kercsó Ábel, Tankó Hunor.
R. A.