FK Csíkszereda opened the year with a victory, managing to keep all three points at home on the difficult surface of the municipal stadium against podium side FC Botoșani. Ilyés Róbert’s team showed character and discipline in a highly demanding match.
FK Csíkszereda opened the year with a victory, managing to keep all three points at home on the difficult surface of the municipal stadium against podium side FC Botoșani. Ilyés Róbert’s team showed character and discipline in a highly demanding match.
We can only express our appreciation to everyone involved in the organization of Sunday afternoon’s game: the club staff, who worked almost tirelessly throughout the week to ensure that the pitch was, at least to some extent, suitable for football by kickoff; the supporters, who were not discouraged by freezing temperatures and supported the team from start to finish; and of course the players and coaches, who rewarded this effort with a victory, crowning their preparation with three important points.
Preparing for the “spring” restart of the Superliga was anything but easy. In the days leading up to the match of the 22nd round of the regular season, the pitch first had to be cleared of a thick layer of snow, then the team had to cope with freezing temperatures of around –20 degrees Celsius. Against Botoșani, it was clear that only a well-organized game and solid defending could give us a chance. Arian Kabashi, signed during the winter break, made his debut in the starting eleven, as Palmeș was suspended and Hegedűs missed the training camp in Turkey due to illness. Otherwise, Ilyés Róbert relied on players with Superliga experience.
The match began with a brilliant save by Pap, who in the 4th minute showed Mailat that beating him would not be easy. Four minutes later, Anestis pushed Szalay’s shot out for a corner. In the 21st minute, Mailat tried an acrobatic finish, but Pap was again equal to the task. Five minutes later, our goal was under threat, with chances for Eppel, Bödő and Szalay, but Anestis denied the latter. Two minutes later, following a corner, Petro’s shot from near the right post was deflected by Veres onto the opposite post. Six minutes before the break, Szalay tried his luck from distance, without success.
Then came the final moments of the first half, when Eppel, in an unusual manner for him, unleashed a beautiful left-footed strike from outside the box. The ball hit the post and went in: 1–0!
Eppel could have doubled the lead in the 55th minute, but failed to get a proper touch on Pászka’s cross. A minute later, Pap also denied Diaw’s header. In the 60th minute, Anestis saved Eppel’s one-on-one attempt. In the 78th minute, Petro fired from close range, but Pap reacted once again. One minute before the end of regular time, substitute Lopez missed a huge chance to equalize. Ongenda’s poorly taken free kick in the 3rd minute of stoppage time was the final action of the match, which ended with a home victory.
“I am very happy for the team, because I know that in a very short period we had to put many things in order. In ten days we worked a lot tactically to become more united. We knew we were facing a very strong opponent, who had lost only three matches out of the previous 21 and who will certainly play in the playoffs. I am very proud that the players put their heart and soul into this match, we defended as a unit and deservedly kept the three points at home,” said Ilyés Róbert at the post-match press conference.
This was FK Csíkszereda’s fourth victory in the Superliga, and with 19 points we have opened a five-point gap over Hermannstadt, who occupy a direct relegation spot. In the next round, we will travel to Galați to face Oțelul, with the match scheduled for Monday, January 26, kick-off at 5:00 PM.
Superliga, Regular Season, Round 22
FK Csíkszereda – FC Botoșani 1–0 (1–0)
Miercurea Ciuc, Municipal Stadium, 1,000 spectators
Goal scorer: Eppel (45)
Yellow cards: Bloj (58), Végh (90+3), respectively Diaw (38)
Referees: Chivulete Andrei Florin, Vornicu Adrian, Constantinescu Andrei Gabriel;
VAR: Andrei Florin; AVAR: Antonie Andrei Sorin;
Fourth official: Vadana Sorin Dan
FK Csíkszereda: Pap Eduard Adrian – Bloj Erwin Szilárd, Csürös Attila, Kabashi Arian, Pászka Lórand – Végh Bence, Anderson Ceará (Dusinszki Szabolcs 75), Veres Szilárd, Bödő Zoltán Efraim (Bota Darius 75), Szalay Szabolcs (Jebari Soufiane 83) – Eppel Márton.
Head coach: Ilyés Róbert
AFC Botoșani: Anestis Ioannis – Creț Bogdan Răzvan, Miron Andrei George, Diaw Elhadji Pape Djibril (Fereira Aldaír 71), Pavlović Michael (Pănoiu Ștefan Călin 90) – Petro Charles, Papa Enriko (David Eugen 46), Ongenda Hervin, Mitrov Zoran (Bodișteanu Ștefan 46), Mailat Árpád Sebastian (López Enzo Adrian 71) – Dumiter Ioan Andrei Vasile.
Head coach: Leo Grozavu
Rédai Attila
Photo: Pál Zoltán