We were unable to capitalise on home advantage in the third round of the Women’s Superleague play-offs against defending champions Farul Constanța. Although we took the lead and controlled long stretches of the match, our finishing proved to be our biggest opponent on the day, and we had to settle for a point.

We were unable to capitalise on home advantage in the third round of the Women’s Superleague play-offs against defending champions Farul Constanța. Although we took the lead and controlled long stretches of the match, our finishing proved to be our biggest opponent on the day, and we had to settle for a point.

We concluded the third round of the play-offs with a draw: after going in front against Farul, we could not preserve our advantage, and the match at the Burus Csaba Sportpark ended 1–1.

From the opening minutes we played in an organised and attacking manner, confidently controlling possession. The game became more balanced towards the end of the first half, but we continued to create the more dangerous chances. Jehona Shala and Vlădulescu Ana Maria both found themselves in promising positions, yet accuracy was missing in the final touch. The biggest opportunity of the half also went begging before the break: Vlădulescu’s cross from the left was redirected into the middle by Porter, Shala reacted to the rebound, but the ball once again failed to find the net, and we went into halftime at 0–0.

At the start of the second half the visitors increased the pressure, but Fuchsová Tereza intervened confidently. In the 53rd minute we took the lead: following a left-sided corner from Lindsey Porter, Stanciu unfortunately turned the ball into her own net (1–0).

We remained disciplined, yet in the 70th minute the defending champions equalised after capitalising on a goalkeeping error. Mango’s cross from the left caught our goalkeeper off guard, and Pînzariu, arriving at the far post, flicked the ball into the net with her heel (1–1). We pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but no further goals were scored.

After the match, head coach Szeitl Szilvia highlighted the team’s development.

– First of all, I am very proud of the girls because we have started building a structure that, in my view, shows we are progressing match by match. The Cluj game was terrible, the one in Timișoara was slightly better, and today I cannot criticise them, because they did everything we asked and practised. But inside the box the luck has to turn and the ball has to go in. After we scored and took the lead, we needed that little extra to keep the advantage and win the match – she said.

According to the coach, the next step is a mental one.

– We still have to work on handling these situations mentally – when we are leading, either to keep it or to add another goal. I would like to emphasise that today we managed to break down the champions’ defence several times, and I am very proud of them. If we play like this against Cluj on Saturday, there will be no question about the outcome – she added.

Our next match will take place on Saturday, March 21 at 13:00, when we host Universitatea Cluj Olimpia.

Women’s Superleague, Play-offs, Round 3
FK Csíkszereda – Farul Constanța 1–1 (0–0).
Referees: Florescu Valentin, Tocai Emeric, Spătar Răzvan.
Scorers: Stanciu Ana Maria (own goal, 53), Pînzariu Denysa Andreea (70).
Yellow cards: Antal Anita (51), Hana My Rosenblatt (79), Batki Máté (88), Enez Mudeizi Mango (90+1).
FK Csíkszereda: Fuchsová Tereza – Geréd Erika, Nombot Annabelle Natsi (Zvenyák Johanna Rita 75), Lindsey Leigh Porter, Hana My Rosenblatt, Shala Jehona (Tóbik Melánia 75), Vlădulescu Ana Maria, Szőke Eszter (Fülöp Boglárka 24), Antal Anita (Kis Anita 67), Balázs Csilla, Balázs Eszter. Head coach: Szeitl Szilvia.

Farul Constanța: Onyango Lilian Awour – Pînzariu Denysa Andreea (Croitoru Tabița 86), Chiper Claudia (Enez Mudeizi Mango 67), Cristea Theodora Maria (Stancu Ioana Cezara 46), Boycheva Nikoleta Atanasova, Botojel Cristina Daniela, Mihăescu Andra Maria, Bogoș Violeta Teodora, Bratu Antonia, Stanciu Ana Maria, Bălăceanu Ioana Maria Nicoleta. Head coach: Monica Raluca Simeș.

László Orbán
Photo: Zoltán Pál