We could not handle the pressure of being favourites: our Women’s Superliga team lost 3–1 to Rapid Bucharest at Burus Csaba Sportpark. After a goalless first half, the visitors scored three times, and Shala Jehona’s late goal proved to be no more than a consolation.
We could not handle the pressure of being favourites: our Women’s Superliga team lost 3–1 to Rapid Bucharest at Burus Csaba Sportpark. After a goalless first half, the visitors scored three times, and Shala Jehona’s late goal proved to be no more than a consolation.
We welcomed newly promoted Rapid as league leaders in round 11 of the regular season. We had taken all three points in a closely contested first meeting in Bucharest, but this time the visitors showed that they are growing increasingly comfortable in the top flight. We struggled with the pressure of being favourites, and the side from the capital also capitalised on uncertain moments from Heim Sára, our goalkeeper aged just 16, to leave Csíkszereda with an upset victory.
Szolomájer Leila threatened Rapid’s goal in the 22nd minute, but Heim also had work to do in the latter stages of the half. Our young goalkeeper made an excellent save from Mirea Roxana’s close-range header in the 36th minute, then produced another fine stop following a corner three minutes later. We also had a chance before the break: in the 42nd minute, Herczeg Andrea picked up the ball following a mistake by the visiting goalkeeper and attempted to lob her, but her effort went over the bar.
The second half had barely begun when we fell behind. In the 46th minute, Preda Daniela took aim from around 40 metres, and Heim, positioned too far off her line, was unable to keep the shot out (0–1). Kollár Péter attempted to spark his team into life with a quadruple substitution in the 51st minute, introducing Balázs Csilla, Nombot Annabelle, Bednářová Tereza and Vincze Noémi.
As we pushed for an equaliser, Eklund Pinja’s lofted effort following a corner in the 64th minute caused no problems for Rapid’s goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Balázs Csilla narrowly failed to connect with Herczeg Andrea’s cross. The next goal nevertheless went to the visitors: in the 69th minute, the ball bounced over Heim, and Galau Bawm put it into the empty net (0–2).
We could have found a way back into the match in the 79th minute, when the goalkeeper parried a long-range shot into Shala Jehona’s path, but our forward was unable to take the opportunity. In the 82nd minute, the destination of the three points was settled. Following a cross, Heim saved Galau Bawm’s volley, but the visiting midfielder converted the rebound for her second goal (0–3).
We only managed to reduce the deficit late on: in the 89th minute, Shala Jehona scored from Herczeg Andrea’s pass to make the final score 1–3.
Speaking after the match, head coach Kollár Péter stressed that, despite the impression given by the performance, our team had taken the opposition seriously.
– We knew Rapid would rely on two or three key players, a deep defensive block and counterattacks. That is why we also tried to sit a little deeper, to create space behind them and launch quick attacks. Unfortunately, this time we fell short of expectations both as a team and individually – our head coach assessed.
Kollár felt the visitors had been able to play with greater freedom, while also highlighting the shortcomings in our own performance.
– It is easier for them to play knowing that no team will be relegated from the league and that they can come here without much at stake. At the same time, we also adopted their style of play and could not break down their packed defence. We kept losing possession, and they hit us on the counterattack – our head coach said.
Women’s Superliga, regular season, round 11
FK Csíkszereda – Rapid Bucharest 1–3 (0–0)
Csíkszereda, Burus Csaba Sportpark, 7 November 2026, 13:00.
Goalscorers: Shala Jehona (89), and Preda Daniela (46), Galau Bawm (69, 82).
Our line-up: Heim Sára – Efstratiou Antria (Vincze Noémi, 51), Katona Flóra (Nombot Annabelle, 51), Antal Anita (Nyéki Anna, 89), Zán-Fábián Panna (Bednářová Tereza, 51), Orbán Aranka, Fülöp Boglárka, Eklund Pinja, Szolomájer Leila (Balázs Csilla, 51), Shala Jehona, Herczeg Andrea. Head coach: Kollár Péter.
Unused substitutes: Böröcz Bettina, Pap-Ieney Ingrid, Lőrincz Kitti, Tănase Dorina.
Rapid Bucharest: Pencea Andreea – Bortea Sara, Popa Mădălina, Preda Daniela, Stoicescu Nathalie, Timiraș Simona (Neacșu Delia, 57), Mirea Roxana, Vasile Daria (Trandafir Elena, 82), Galau Bawm, Tănase Ioana (Stoian Carla, 52), Negrea Oana. Head coach: Popescu Speranța Victoria Codruța.
Unused substitutes: Lupașcu Ana, Fuia Ilinca, Dodu Cerasela.
R. A.
Photo: Pál Zoltán