Full steam ahead for Steaua

Sunday, 1 April 2007
by Paul-Daniel Zahariafrom Bucharest
FC Steaua Bucuresti have kept alive their UEFA Champions League ambitions in Romania with a 3-2 derby victory against AFC Rapid Bucuresti today.
Ochirosii winnerIn an entertaining contest, Steaua made the most of their chances while Rapid proved profligate after creating a number of openings. Cyril Thereau (21) opened the scoring for the visitors but Rapid equalised through Ioan Viorel Ganea seven minutes before half-time. Steaua restored their advantage through Valentin Badea 12 minutes into the second period after a mistake by Rapid goalkeeper Danut Coman. Yet again Rapid came back, this time through Ianis Zicu (65) but Steaua were not done and, on a counterattack, substitute Razvan Ochirosii sealed all three points six minutes from time.
Big nameThe match, which featured eight yellow cards, was officiated by top-level Slovakian referee Ľuboš Micheľ, who also took charge of Steaua's UEFA Cup semi-final second-leg defeat by Middlesbrough FC last season. Steaua enjoyed a better time under his experienced stewardship tonight with their first away league win in eight months while Rapid lost at home for the first time since April 2005, when they suffered a 3-0 defeat against an FCU Politehnica Timisoara side who were then led by current Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu.
Cluj victorySteaua remain two points behind second-placed CFR Ecomax Cluj-Napoca, who won 2-1 at home against Poli Timisoara, and have 49 points, ten fewer than leaders FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti, who drew 0-0 at home to SC Vaslui on Saturday. With two UEFA Champions League qualifying places up for grabs this season, all three of the leading trio in Romania will fancy their chances of a crack at Europe's élite next season. Steaua, champions for the last two seasons, may still even harbour title hopes as they get the chance to close the gap on Dinamo when they welcome their rivals next Saturday.
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