With a three-goal home victory, our U18 team moved to within a single point of leaders Rapid in the Youth League play-offs. Our U17s drew, while the U15s and U16s suffered narrow defeats away to FCSB.

With a three-goal home victory, our U18 team moved to within a single point of leaders Rapid in the Youth League play-offs. Our U17s drew, while the U15s and U16s suffered narrow defeats away to FCSB.

In the round played on 14–15 November, our U18s hosted Universitatea Craiova and our U17s welcomed Campionii FC Argeș, while the U15s and U16s travelled to FCSB, who lead the play-off groups in both age categories. Sunday brought a home win and a draw; Saturday’s matches in Bucharest both ended in narrow defeats. At pre-academy level, both our teams recorded emphatic victories over CSM Vaslui.

U18

Following their defeat to Farul, our U18 team returned to winning ways at home against a talented Universitatea Craiova side. We took the lead as early as the fifth minute: Tóth-Pál Előd shot from around 15 metres, with the ball going in off the crossbar. Craiova also tried to threaten; in the 41st minute, Iovan Alexandru found himself in a good position, but Deáky Zsombor produced an excellent save to deny him.

After the break, Máthé Apor doubled our advantage: in the 54th minute, he created an opening on the left and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner. Deáky remained busy at the other end. He pushed away a long-range effort in the 60th minute, then made a save seven minutes later to keep out a close-range shot towards his near post. In the 76th minute, Tóth-Pál Előd’s effort rebounded off the goalkeeper, but the arriving Tóth-Pál Milán sent his follow-up wide. Two minutes later, from a position similar to the one that had produced our second goal, Máthé attempted a chip, but the ball went into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Substitute Ilyés Máté completed the scoring in the 90th minute: he dribbled past several defenders into the penalty area before converting his chance. The 3–0 victory took us to 21 points, just one behind leaders Rapid. The Bucharest side have played one match fewer, while fellow contenders FCSB and Farul also have games in hand. We remain in contention for a podium finish.

After the victory, head coach Goran Kopunović began by congratulating his players:

– We knew Universitatea Craiova were a good team. We had played them before, drawing 1–1 in Craiova. We prepared well and worked hard during the week. There were periods of this match that I was very pleased with, but there were also moments when we made technical mistakes. I am not saying we played badly, but sometimes those mistakes bother me.

The coach said that, alongside the victory, they must also focus on the details that need improvement:

– I try to spend even more time working on them in training, so we pay attention and correct them. We also work constantly and very hard on our finishing. At the moment, I am satisfied. It is not over yet, we still have three matches to play, but there were moments when even I said we were playing very well. We keep going and focus on the next match.

Youth League, play-offs, Round 4
FK Csíkszereda–Universitatea Craiova 3–0 (1–0)
Miercurea Ciuc, Burus Csaba Sports Park, Sunday, 15 November 2026, 12:00.

Goalscorers: Tóth-Pál Előd (5), Máthé Apor (54), Ilyés Máté (90).
Yellow cards: Miara Dominik (25), Tóth-Pál Milán (49), Bíró Artur (71); Cîrstina Darius (49), Șchiopu Albert (59, 74). Red card: Șchiopu Albert (74, second yellow card).

FK Csíkszereda: Deáky Zsombor – Miara Dominik, Kertész Márk, Cătrinoi Cornea Sebastian, Bódi Lehel (Marian Robert, 75), Máthé Apor (captain), Tóth-Pál Előd, Tóth-Pál Milán, Prezsmer Victor (Ilyés Máté, 58), Bíró Artur, Oșvat Darius (Baior Darius, 69). Unused substitutes: Covaciu Roland, Györfi Krisztián, Orbán Márton. Head coach: Goran Kopunović.

Universitatea Craiova: Papalitsas Dimitrios – Luncașu Ianis, Barbu Andrei, Ecobici Rareș (Crăciun Denis, 77), Șorici Mihăiță (Șchiopu Albert, 46), Iovan Alexandru, Cîrstina Darius (Gîrgel Roberto, 77), Popescu Andrei (captain), Cojocaru Petruș (Duță Franco, 65), Văduva Luca (Miercan Nicolas, 89), Anghel Maximilian. Unused substitutes: Stuparu Raul, Gegiu Fabian. Head coach: Florescu Ștefan Valentin.

Other results in the round: SC Dinamo 1948–Viitorul Cluj 6–1; CFR Cluj–FCSB 0–2. Rapid–Farul was postponed until 12 December.

Youth League play-off standings:

U17

Our U17 team played out a goalless draw at home to Campionii FC Argeș. Clear chances were scarce at both ends in the first half; in the 33rd minute, the visiting goalkeeper held a long-range FK shot. After the break, Györfi Bence’s effort went narrowly wide, while in the 67th minute Déva Kristóf stretched to keep out a long-range Argeș strike from beneath the crossbar.

In the 70th minute, Klein Tizian found an opening on the left, but his shot flashed across the face of goal. Late on, Déva had to save another effort from distance, before a visiting cross from the left struck the post in the 87th minute. Two minutes later, we were unable to finish a move with a goal after a neat backheel from Șeitan-Pataki David. The match therefore ended 0–0.

The point leaves our U17s seventh on 16 points. Fourth-placed CFR are three points ahead, while Farul sit third with 21 points from two matches played. Following the draw with Argeș, the middle of the table remains within reach.

U17 Elite League, play-offs, Round 4
FK Csíkszereda–Campionii FC Argeș 0–0
Miercurea Ciuc, Burus Csaba Sports Park, Sunday, 15 November 2026, 10:00.

Yellow cards: Oniga Victor (57), Jánosi Zsolt (73), Fazakas Zalán (86); Ștefănescu Alexandru (18), Oțeanu David (88), Dobra Ianis (88).

FK Csíkszereda: Déva Kristóf – Hella-Fehér Dániel (Ambrus Lukács, 80), Keresztes Ákos, Szabó Örs (Șeitan-Pataki David, 86), Jánosi Zsolt (Fazakas Zalán, 80), Fülöp Farkas, Klein Tizian, Lukács Bence, Jánoska-Máthé Krisztián, Oniga Victor, Györfi Bence (captain). Unused substitutes: Bălbăe Róbert, Hegedus Cristian, Fazakas Gellért, Orbán Hunor. Coach: Mitra Szilárd.

Campionii FC Argeș: Șerban Matteo – Cătulescu Eric (Enache Eduard, 76), Dobra Ianis, Niculiță Andrei (Tudoran Eduard, 46), Neacșu Raul, Ciobanu Ianis, Vitan Darius, Cotea Tiberiu (Dobre Yanis, 76), Ștefănescu Alexandru, Florea Sebastian, Oțeanu David (captain). Head coach: Crivac Iulian.

Other results in the round: CFR Cluj–FCSB 1–2; CS Dinamo București–Viitorul Cluj 3–1. Rapid–Farul was postponed until 12 December.

U17 Elite League play-off standings:

U16

We came close to taking a point away to leaders FCSB. Fogarasi Zoltán’s side enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half and won eight corners, while the hosts had just one. We were unable to convert our chances, leaving the teams level at the break without a goal.

We continued to play with good organisation in the second half and took the lead through Székely Edmond in the 71st minute. Four minutes later, Șerban David equalised. FCSB put us under greater pressure in the closing stages, then completed the turnaround through Zilîncă David’s 88th-minute goal.

Head coach Fogarasi Zoltán recalled that national team commitments, the KMAR talent selection event at Puskás Akadémia, illnesses and injuries over the previous two weeks meant that the team who eventually took to the field had effectively been able to train together only on the day before the match. Despite the difficult build-up, he was pleased with what he saw for much of the game:

– We started the match very well and had complete control of the game. We took eight corners in one half, which is something very few teams can say against FCSB. We dominated the whole first half; our opponents had one corner and no chances at all. Unfortunately, we could not turn our opportunities into goals. Even I was a little surprised by how dominant we were able to be against a team like this.

After the break, we continued to follow the agreed tactical plan, which eventually brought Székely Edmond’s opening goal. Fogarasi felt the minutes that followed proved to be the turning point:

– We started the second half very well too, picking up where we had left off. Our defending was organised in every area of the pitch. Our goal was clearly coming, and it arrived around the 70th minute. Unfortunately, we did not manage the period after the goal well: a lapse in concentration allowed our opponents to equalise. It was a mistake with several elements, and we had more than one opportunity to clear the danger.

FCSB took the initiative in the closing stages. The coach felt that, after the difficulties of the previous two weeks, his team had also become mentally tired by that point:

– Around the 75th to 80th minute, we could no longer maintain our earlier dominance. Our opponents also put us under greater pressure. It is telling that they had taken one corner up to the 73rd minute, then four between the 74th and 90th minutes. Unfortunately, they scored their second goal from one of those set pieces.

The defeat was particularly painful for Fogarasi because he felt his team had been in control for so long. Looking at the autumn as a whole, however, he sees significant progress:

– If we compare ourselves with the team we were a year ago, when we played FCSB, we showed a completely different level this time and played much better football. For a large part of the match, we were able to outperform our opponents. Including regular-season and play-off fixtures, friendlies and tournaments, we have played 21 matches and lost only three times. Today’s defeat hurt because we had the match in our hands, but all our work this autumn deserves praise. We have something to build on for the future.

The postponed league match against Farul will now be played in February, meaning the U16s have no more league fixtures this year. They still have two important cup matches ahead of them, however. Our U16 team are fourth with 21 points, two behind second-placed Farul and one behind third-placed CS Dinamo. We have played one match fewer than Dinamo and leaders FCSB.

U16 Elite League, play-offs, Group 1, Round 5
FCSB–FK Csíkszereda 2–1 (0–0)
Bucharest, ARCOM Sports Base, Saturday, 14 November 2026, 12:00.

Goalscorers: Șerban David (75), Zilîncă David (88); Székely Edmond (71).

FK Csíkszereda: Bălbăe Róbert – Kiss Hunor, Parhon Luca, Kósa Áron (captain), Sipos Tamás (Forró Patrik, 79), Polgár József, Matei Darius (Murgui Mario, 65), Szabó Ákos, Deák Kristóf, Székely Edmond (Debrenti Milán, 83), Orbán Hunor (Lukács Bence, 83). Unused substitute: Bokor Kristóf. Head coach: Fogarasi Zoltán. Assistant coach: Bartis Szabolcs László.

Other results in the round: Farul Constanța–Kids Tâmpa Brașov 6–2; ACS Sport Team–AFC Botoșani 0–0. At the time of publication, the match report for CS Dinamo–Sepsi OSK was unavailable on the federation’s electronic platform, so the result is not available and is not included in the table below.

U16 Elite League play-off standings:

U15

Our U15 team also travelled to FCSB, who lead their play-off group. The hosts took an early lead through Radu Alexandru’s fourth-minute goal. Our players focused primarily on organised, compact defending and kept the contest open for a long time.

Before the match, Burus Bernát had expected strong opposition: FCSB had scored freely and conceded very few goals in the previous play-off rounds. In his assessment, he particularly highlighted the boys’ determination to keep fighting despite falling behind early:

– Our main emphasis was on organised, compact defending. I think that worked quite well. The early goal took some of the edge off the match, but the boys performed admirably. They put their hearts and souls into the game and showed tremendous fighting spirit and commitment.

There was a spell when an equaliser was within reach. Miclescu Alexandru scored the hosts’ second goal in the 70th minute.

– We had an opportunity to equalise. We went through one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper with a golden chance, but unfortunately we could not convert it. Had that gone in, we might have left FCSB with an excellent point. I would also like to highlight our goalkeeper’s performance: he had a great game and made several outstanding saves. Despite the result, the whole team performed well – Burus said.

His assessment was that, despite the defeat, the match provided important feedback on how the team are adapting to the standard of the play-offs:

– Little by little, we are beginning to rise to this level. That is most evident tactically, because we managed to carry out on the pitch what we had planned for this match. We still have plenty to learn, but there are also many positives to take away. We have reasons to be confident, and we can see the progress. We keep working!

Our U15s are sixth in the table with 17 points, level with fifth-placed ACS Juniorul 2014, who have played one match more. Third-placed CS Dinamo are four points ahead of our team. The competition is tight in this part of the table, although the differing numbers of matches played call for caution when making comparisons.

U15 Elite League, play-offs, Group 1, Round 5
FCSB–FK Csíkszereda 2–0 (1–0)
Bucharest, ARCOM Sports Base, Saturday, 14 November 2026, 14:00.

Goalscorers: Radu Alexandru (4), Miclescu Alexandru (70).

FK Csíkszereda: Géczi Mihály – Farkas Ábel, Lovas Bence, Jánosi Hunor, Boga Olivér (captain; Ilyés Gergő, 39), Becze Balázs, Hajnali László (Benkes András, 68), Törő Milán, Oagiu Milán, Kozma Gergő, Bejinariu Lucas (Gellér Zsombor, 68). Unused substitutes: Bokor Kristóf, Szőverfi Rajmond. Head coach: Tajti József. Assistant coach: Bartis Szabolcs László.

Other results in the round: Oxigen București–ACS Juniorul 2014 2–2; Farul Constanța–ACS Petrolul 52 3–1. The match report for CS Dinamo–Sepsi OSK has not been uploaded, so the result is not available and is not included in the table below.

U15 Elite League play-off standings:

Pre-academy

U14

Our U14 team led CSM Vaslui 4–1 at the break before doubling their goal tally in the second half. Albert Alpár scored twice in the 8–1 home victory, while Monori Máté, Ambrus Gergő, Márton Zsombor, Szabó Balázs, Kocsis Attila and Tikosi Magor each found the net once.

U14 Elite League, regular season, Group 2, Round 15
FK Csíkszereda–CSM Vaslui 8–1 (4–1)
Miercurea Ciuc, artificial pitch at the Erőss Zsolt Arena, Saturday, 14 November 2026.

Our goalscorers: Albert Alpár (2), Monori Máté, Ambrus Gergő, Márton Zsombor, Szabó Balázs, Kocsis Attila, Tikosi Magor.

Our starting line-up: Marthy Soma – Márton Balázs, Kercsó Bence, Márton Zsombor, Páll Árpád, Csiszer Botond, Albert Alpár, Kocsis Attila, Lukács Gellért (captain), Balogh Baltazár, Monori Máté. Named substitutes: Dénes Áron, Oanea Daniel, Tikosi Magor, Ambrus Gergő, Szabó Balázs, Páll Dávid, Bíró Patrik, Szentpáli Lóránt, Balogh Áron. Coaches: Hodgyai László and Barabási Roland.

U13

Our U13s also faced CSM Vaslui on the artificial pitch at the Erőss Zsolt Arena. After scoring four goals in the first half, they added another five to win 9–1. Toth Krisztián scored a hat-trick, while Borvíz Dávid netted twice.

U13 Elite League, regular season, Group 2, Round 14
FK Csíkszereda–CSM Vaslui 9–1 (4–0)
Miercurea Ciuc, artificial pitch at the Erőss Zsolt Arena, Saturday, 14 November 2026.

Our goalscorers: Toth Krisztián (3), Borvíz Dávid (2), Antonache Alex, Parajdi Zsombor, Blagu Petru, Ábrahám Csanád.

Our line-up: Blága Koppány (Bilibok Csanád) – Antal János (Kóka Szilárd), Portik David (Potyó Ádám), Cseke Márton (Bodor Dávid), Blagu Petru (Mihály Ádám) – Parajdi Zsombor, Toth Krisztián (Borvíz Dávid), Antonache Alex (Jánosi Áron) – Balázs Bulcsú (Ábrahám Csanád). Coaches: Kercsó Ábel and Tankó Hunor.

R. A.
Photo: Pál Zoltán