UTA Arad defeated FC Voluntari with a score of 4-3 (1-2), on Monday evening, at home, in the first stage of the play-out phase of the Football Super League, in one of the most spectacular matches of the season.
UTA Arada won the match with Voluntari
The two teams created numerous scoring opportunities, scored seven goals, five of which were headers, the guests having three goals. All the hosts' goals were scored by players introduced by coach Mircea Rednic during the game, Joao Pedro Almeida Machado (38, 90+6), Eric Johana Omondi (50), Alexandru Tudorie (79), writes Agerpres.
Adam Nemec (28), Igor Armaş (45+1) and George Merloi (90+2) scored for Ilfoveni, the last introduced at the end, returning after an injury sustained in August.
In the first half, the goalkeeper Florin Iacob opposed the ball headed by Nemec (17), Radu Boboc's shot (19), from the angle, cleared the crossbar, and Igor Armaş sent a header into the crossbar (22 ).
The guests opened the scoring through Nemec, who restarted in the net from one meter, after Grigore Turda's re-centering, at the corner executed by Doru Andrei (28). UTA equalized through Joao Pedro, with a shot from 17 meters, deflected by Armaş (38). The guests entered the booth with an advantage, after Armaş scored with a header following a corner kick by Doru Andrei (45+1).
In the second half, UTA equalized through Kenyan Omondi, who headed in Andrej Fabry's cross.
Ilfoven missed through Vadim Raţă (54), who sent a header wide from Doru Andrei's cross, then Iacob rejected the effective shot sent by Andrei Dumiter (58).
UTA responded with a shot sent by Fabry (62), caught by Jesus Fernandez.
Doru Andrei superbly executed a free kick from almost 30 meters, on the crossbar (67), and then, a few seconds later, he also shot at the goal, but Iacob rejected it.
Joao Pedro (70) shot from 30 meters, slightly over the target, and Tudorie scored with a header (79), from Claudiu Micovschi's cross, the goal being awarded after the VAR reviewed the replays for 6 minutes.
FC Voluntari equalized in min. 90+2, when Nicolae Carnat crossed perfectly, and Merloi resumed with his diving header.
The winning goal of the Aradians was scored by the Portuguese Joao Pedro (90+6), with a volley from the edge of the box, after a ball rejected by the visitors' defense, following a corner.
The match marked the debut of coach Florin Pîrvu on the technical bench of the FC Voluntari team.
FC Voluntari reached 12 consecutive matches without victory, four draws and eight failures.
UTA has three consecutive home wins.
In the regular season, UTA drew at home with FC Voluntari (0-0), but beat them away, 1-0.
AFC UTA Arad – FC Voluntari 4-3 (1-2), “Francisc Neuman” Arena – Arad
They scored: Joao Pedro Almeida Machado (38, 90+6), Eric Johana Omondi (50), Alexandru Tudorie (79), respectively Adam Nemec (28), Igor Armaş (45+1), George Merloi (90+2) .
Referee: Marcel Bîrsan (Bucharest); assistant referees: Radu Adrian Ghinguleac (Bucharest), Raul Constantin Ghiciulescu (Lugoj); fourth official: Florin Ovidiu Mazilu (Satu Mare)
Video referee: Viorel Nicusor Flueran (Craiova); video assistant referee: Alexandru Filip (Constanța)
Observers: Octavian Şovre (Satu Mare) – CCA, Marian Ivan (Braşov) – LPF.
