AFC Cri?ana Oradea hosted AS Zorile Buntesti at Hidi?elul De Sus on 28 September 2025, with kick-off at 11:00am in a league encounter that ended in a 6-3 defeat for the home side. Despite a spirited showing, Cri?ana Oradea were unable to contain their visitors, who ran out as winners in a high-scoring contest, despite dominating almost the entire game.
AFC Cri?ana Oradea lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, deploying a back four of Casian Pop at right back, Nicolae Pu?ca? and Lajos Neuner as central defenders, and Sebastian Bejusca at left back. The midfield featured Iosif Simon on the right wing, Ionu? Pele and Andrei Simon centrally, with Leonard Albei-Ten?a on the left. Edi Schöller operated just behind the lone striker, George Daraban, tasked with linking play and creating chances. The goalkeeper was Cristi Re?tea. The substitutes available were Alexandru Daraban, Mario Haidu, Darius Pu?cau, George Dubau, Bogdan Vlad, and Krisztián Sanislav-Ardelean.
The match began with AFC Cri?ana Oradea taking an early advantage courtesy of an own goal by an AS Zorile Buntesti player in the 16th minute, gifting the hosts a fortunate lead. However, the visitors responded swiftly, capitalising on a defensive mistake to level the scores just six minutes later at the 22-minute mark. AS Zorile Buntesti then extended their lead with a stunning solo effort from outside the box in the 37th minute, showcasing individual skill that left the home defence exposed.
The first half concluded with AS Zorile Buntesti leading 2-1, having turned the game on its head after the early setback. AFC Cri?ana Oradea made a double substitution shortly after the hour mark, with Mario Haidu replacing left back Sebastian Bejusca and Alexandru Daraban coming on for right back Casian Pop, signalling a tactical shift to shore up the de fence. Mario Haidu had 2 disallowed goals, one that came after superb collective effort and a screamer.
Cri?ana Oradea pulled a goal back in the 78th minute when Nicolae Pu?ca? rose highest to head home a precise cross from George Daraban at close range, reigniting hopes of a comeback. However, just two minutes later, Pu?ca? was shown a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, reducing the hosts to ten men and severely hampering their chances.
AS Zorile Buntesti capitalised immediately, converting a penalty in the 81st minute to restore their two-goal cushion. AFC Cri?ana Oradea responded with a flurry of substitutions in the 83rd minute, bringing on Darius Pu?cau, Bogdan Vlad, Krisztián Sanislav-Ardelean, and George Dubau for Ionu? Pele, Leonard Albei-Ten?a, Iosif Simon, and Andrei Simon respectively, aiming to inject fresh legs and creativity.
George Daraban stepped up to convert a penalty for Cri?ana Oradea in the same minute, narrowing the deficit once more with a composed finish using his right foot. Yet, AS Zorile Buntesti continued to let Cri?ana dominate the game and extended their lead again with a counterattack in the 88th minute with a neat tap-in from close range.
Late in the game, AFC Cri?ana Oradea saw Edi Schöller booked for unsporting behaviour in the 91st minute, followed by a yellow card for George Daraban for dissent a minute later. The visitors sealed their emphatic victory with a final goal in stoppage time again after a counterattack, capitalising on another defensive error to score with their right foot in the 94th minute.
Despite the defeat, AFC Cri?ana Oradea showed moments of promise, particularly through George Daraban’s involvement in both goals and assists. However, defensive lapses and the sending off of Pu?ca? ultimately proved costly against a clinical AS Zorile Buntesti side who took full advantage of their opportunities to secure a 6-3 win.
