Gloria Bistrița hosted Chiksereda in the Group Stage of the Romanian Cup on Tuesday evening, but the visitors took all three points with a 2:0 victory. The home side controlled the ball but could not break through a disciplined away defence.
A. Stahl opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, catching the match early and punishing them from a corner. The hosts pushed forward after the break, but Chiksereda had nothing to lose and sat deep, waiting for their moment. An 89th-minute goal sealed the result, and the old head settled them down when it mattered most.
The statistics tell a familiar story: possession without penetration. Gloria Bistrița held 55 per cent of the ball and launched 11 attacks, yet managed just one shot on target from thirteen attempts off target. Chiksereda, by contrast, registered four shots on target from four attempts off target, converting 44 per cent of their efforts. Many shots with one goal means chances went begging, and in this case, both goals came from the visitors.
Discipline was thin on the ground. Five yellow cards were shown in total — two for each side — with the home defence giving the full-back a torrid evening at times. Substitutions came thick and fast after the hour mark, with the home manager turning to the kids in search of a spark that never materialised.
The result leaves Gloria Bistrița with a setback in the group phase. They have kept three clean sheets on the spin recently, but this was a different matter. Chiksereda's efficiency will keep them alive in the standings, while the home side now have a point to prove before the next fixture.
