Football Flash
A look at the upcoming Confrence League matches involving Romanian participation
Florin Orban, 30.08.2023, 13:45
Two football sides from Romania are trying on Thursday to make it to the groups of the third European competition known as Conference League. The Romanians are going to play in the second round of the play-off against two sides from northern Europe. Farul Constanta stands the most chances as these Romanian champions secured a 2-1 win against Finnish side HJK Helsinki in the first round. Joona Toivio put the visitors in the lead with a goal scored in the 50th minute. Eight minutes later, Brazilian Rivaldinho scored the equalizer and Mihai Popescu sealed the points 8 minutes from time.
Farul, a side guided by the Romanian football legend Gheorghe Hagi, who was dubbed the Maradona of the Carpathians have also confirmed their good shape in the domestic football championship with their latest 2-0 win against Universitatea Craiova on Sunday. HJK Helsinki also clinched a 3-1 away win against Oulu in the Finnish championship, where they are now occupying the first position.
The other Romanian side, Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe, travels beyond the Polar Circle to take on Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. The first match in Romania ended in a draw, two-all. Cameroonian Faris Moumbagna gave the visitors the upper hand in the 19th minute but Sepsi leveled the points shortly after the break through a penalty converted by Albanian Isnik Alimi. In the 69th minute, Patrick Berg added a second for the Norwegians, but Cosmin Matei leveled the scoring again through a penalty kick nine minutes from time. The return match is to take place on artificial turf and that might pose some problems for the Romanian side. Players from both sides should be in excellent physical conditions as Sepsis latest game against Poli Iasi was rescheduled and neither did the Norwegians play in the domestic championship, where they are presently ranking first after 20 legs.
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