FK Csíkszereda started the play-out with a tremendously important victory, beating Oțelul Galați by one goal after a heroic battle away from home.

FK Csíkszereda started the play-out with a tremendously important victory, beating Oțelul Galați by one goal after a heroic battle away from home.

The home side, coached by László Bálint, was missing several key players. Compared to our January meeting, only the goalkeeper and three outfield players remained in the starting lineup; three players were suspended and several others were injured.

FK began the match strongly and already in the 4th minute the home goal was in danger. László Kleinheisler delivered a perfectly timed pass to Szilárd Veres, who fired a low shot from 18 meters, but Dur-Bozoancă made the save. The opening goal did not take long either. In the 8th minute, after a long spell of possession, Anderson Ceará sent Márton Eppel through on the edge of offside, and the striker calmly finished low from close range (0–1). Replays showed that Kazu had stayed behind, so VAR had little to check. It was already Eppel’s ninth goal in the SuperLiga.

The hosts equalized in the 16th minute. After a corner, Eduard Pap cleared with his foot, but the ball fell straight to Ne Lopes, who bundled it into the net from close range (1–1). Shortly afterward Debeljuh scored, but the move was preceded by an offside, so the goal was disallowed. Midway through the half Oțelul had another chance: after a long ball, Andrezhinho set it back in front of goal, but Debeljuh only managed to deflect it slightly and the ball rolled wide.

FK also threatened towards the end of the half. After a quick counterattack Anderson passed to Eppel, who laid it back for Kleinheisler, but the midfielder failed to hit the target from 16 meters. In stoppage time Pászka was pushed inside the penalty area, yet referee Szabolcs Kovács did not award a penalty. The final chance of the half belonged to the hosts: after a corner Debeljuh headed while falling, the ball hit the post and Pap collected it.

We started the second half excellently. In the 50th minute Loránd Pászka sent Kleinheisler through on the edge of offside; his first shot was saved by Dur-Bozoancă, but the goalkeeper had no chance on the rebound – the 53-cap Hungarian international scored his first goal for FK (1–2).

Four minutes later another big chance followed: Eppel set up Anderson at the corner of the six-yard box, but the Brazilian could not make proper contact with the ball. In the 59th minute Pászka again found Anderson perfectly on the right side, but his shot went just past the near post.

In the 62nd minute FK’s attack shone again. Anderson played a brilliant through ball to substitute Soufiane Jebari, who broke the offside line and finished first time into the net (1–3).

In the remaining time the hosts pushed hard to come back. Luan Campos’ long-range shot missed the left post by inches, while Debeljuh tried from 16 meters but shot over the bar. In the 74th minute Mátyás Tajti made his debut for FK.

The final minutes became difficult for Csíkszereda: Jebari was injured and could not continue, while the team had no substitutions left, meaning we had to defend practically with ten men. In stoppage time the tension increased further: after a VAR review a penalty was awarded for a foul by Palmeș, which Conrado converted (2–3).

The match continued for more than ten minutes beyond the regulation time, with FK under heavy pressure, but the lead held. After the final whistle the team celebrated the first play-out victory together with about two dozen passionate supporters who traveled to Galați.

Head coach Róbert Ilyés, who was sent off during stoppage time, spoke with relief at the post-match press conference.

“Playing in Galați is always very difficult, and today they proved they are a strong team even with several missing players. They surprised us with their play, sometimes pushing the limits of the rules. It became a very physical, hard-fought match. We started well and took the lead, then after the equalizer Galați had some chances, but at halftime we sorted things out in the dressing room. Bringing on Jebari was a risk, but it turned out to be inspired. I’m glad we surprised them in attack and secured the win. In the end we had to fight with great sacrifice, which is why this is such a huge success for us. Congratulations to the boys.”

Oțelul Galați – FK Csíkszereda 2–3 (1–1)

Referees: Szabolcs Kovács, Mihai Marica, Cosmin Vătămanu
VAR: Iulian Dima
AVAR: Claudiu Marcu
Fourth official: Ionela Alina Peșu

Goals:
Ne Lopes (16’), Conrado (90+5’, penalty) – respectively Eppel (8’), Kleinheisler (50’), Jebari (62’)

Yellow cards:
Conrado (37’), Lameira (88’) – respectively Kleinheisler (44’), Trif (64’), Palmeș (90+3’), Pap (90+8’)

Red card:
Róbert Ilyés (head coach, 90+9’)

Oțelul Galați: Dur-Bozoancă Cosmin Andrei – Wagatsuma Ferreira Christian Kendji, Cunha Lopes Manuel Alberto, Neicu Dan Emilian (Zhelev Milen 65’), Buchanelli Holz Conrado – Ciobanu Virgil Andrei (Patrick 65’), Santos Lameira João Pedro (captain), Bordun Denis Marian (Neicu Dan Cristian 53’) – Pinto Lopes Andre Miguel, Debeljuh Gabriel, De Campos Cristino da Silva Luan.

Head coach: György László Bálint

FK Csíkszereda: Pap Eduard Adrian – Pászka Loránd, Palmeș Raul, Hegedűs János, Trif Răzvan – Veres Szilárd (Mátyás Tajti 74’), Végh Bence, Anderson Ceará (Gustavo Cabral 74’), László Kleinheisler (Soufiane Jebari 61’), Bödő Zoltán Efraim – Márton Eppel (Zoárd Nagy 80’).

Head coach: Róbert Ilyés

Rédai Attila