Petrolul achieved a narrow 2-1 victory against Voluntari, temporarily placing them second in the Superliga standings. New signings Bran Flores and Malula scored for Petrolul, marking their third win of the season under coach Ricardo Sousa. Despite some opportunities for the Ilfov team, Petrolul’s superior experience proved decisive.
Match Overview by Remus Dinu
The match between FC Voluntari and Petrolul might not have been the most captivating of the round, but it featured a high-profile referee, Istvan Kovacs, returning to Romanian shores after officiating in European competitions.
Kovacs quickly took charge, correctly awarding a penalty in the sixth minute after Dumbrăvanu fouled Leo Teixeira. Flores, the new playmaker for Petrolul, converted the penalty, giving the “yellow wolves” an ideal start. This early goal set the tone, as Petrolul controlled much of the game in the opening exchanges.
Contrary to the pessimistic expectations of some fans, Petrolul displayed solid team cohesion, reflecting the passionate coaching style of Ricardo Sousa.
Challenges for Voluntari
However, the Prahova team faced a setback in the 19th minute when Voluntari capitalized on a corner. The Petrolul defense faltered, allowing veteran Mihai Roman, a former Petrolul player, to score with a header.
The match continued with back-and-forth action, as Guțea, Șuteu, and Haruț tested the vigilance of Petrolul’s goalkeeper Zima from range, while Petrolul focused on positional attacks against Voluntari’s less experienced defense.
The first half ended with another chance for Roman, who missed a promising opportunity in stoppage time.
Experience Shines Through
In the second half, Petrolul returned as the more threatening side, reminiscent of their first-half performance. Notable chances from Flores and Rodrigo Martins failed to extend their lead.
Voluntari nearly equalized again due to a slip by Papp, but Babic was unable to capitalize on the chance. With 30 minutes left, Petrolul increasingly dominated Voluntari’s half. Their persistence paid off in the 71st minute when Swiss player Breston Malula headed in a perfect cross from Santos Teixeira, restoring their lead.
The visitors effectively managed the closing moments of the match, securing the victory. Despite financial troubles, the “wolves” climbed to second place in the Superliga and are now looking forward to their upcoming match against Rapid at their home ground, Ilie Oană, next Friday.
Final Score: FC Voluntari 1 – 2 Petrolul Ploiești
Goalscorers: Mihai Roman 19 / Flores 9, Malula 71
Min. 90+5: A minor scuffle occurred at the end, resulting in yellow cards for Toma and Malula.
Min. 90: Four additional minutes were indicated.
Min. 82: Martins’ shot was well-executed but easily handled by Jurhar. Voluntari had taken the initiative but struggled to create substantial chances.
Min. 71: Malula’s header put Petrolul ahead, following a precise pass from Teixeira.
Min. 68: The game’s tempo slowed in the second half, leading to complaints from Voluntari officials about Kovacs’ officiating.
Min. 61: Papp’s defensive error allowed Babic a promising opportunity, which he squandered.
Min. 50: Martins was well-positioned for a shot, but his execution was poor, sailing over the goal.
Atmosphere at the “Anghel Iordănescu” stadium was subdued, with only around 800 spectators in attendance. Petrolul had approximately 250 supporters traveling from Ploiești. Notable figures in the stands included former national team coaches Anghel and Edi Iordănescu.
Starting Lineups
FC VOLUNTARI (4-4-2): Jurhar – Haruț, Crișan, Dumbrăvanu, Șuteu – Schieb, I. Gheorghe (cpt.), Onișa, Guțea – M. Roman II, Babic. Coach: Florin Pîrvu
PETROLUL (4-4-2): Zima – Țuțu, Sumbula, Papp (cpt.), Dumitrescu – Rodrigo Martins, Jerdea, Flores, Hanca – Nlundulu, Leo Teixeira. Coach: Ricardo Sousa
Referee: Istvan Kovacs; Assistants: Mihai Marius Marica and Alexandru-Mihai Vodă; VAR: Florin Andrei; AVAR: Valentin Porumbel.
