"Superb Steaua halt Heerenveen
Wednesday, 15 February 2006
FC Steaua Bucuresti fought back from a goal down to overpower SC Heerenveen in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 encounter in the Netherlands.
Super Steaua
Arnold Bruggink had shot the home team into the lead midway through the first period but Nicolae Dica soon levelled. It was the Romanian visitors who were able to build on their opening 45 minutes' work in the second period, however, as goals from Dorin Goian and Sorin Paraschiv secured Cosmin Olaroiu's team a comfortable advantage ahead of next week's reverse fixture.
Bruggink strike
Steaua had not conceded a goal in the group stage but that impressive run was brought to an end in the 23rd minute when striker Bruggink met Lasse Nilsson's left-wing cross to put Heerenveen ahead. Suddenly the memories of departed strikers Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Georgios Samaras, both of whom left the Dutch side during the winter break, quickly receded.
Dica leveller
But six minutes later Steaua were level as Dica met Gabriel Bostina's cross from the right and placed an emphatic finish beyond Brian Vandenbussche. Bostina was orchestrating the best of Steaua's attacking forays and the midfielder provided another dangerous ball on 34 minutes only for Paraschiv to shoot wide.
Goian goal
Heerenveen rallied after the break, Steaua's Portuguese goalkeeper Carlos Alberto Fernandes thwarting Hjalte Nørregaard before Nilsson headed wide with the game finely balanced. Victoras Iacob forced Vandenbussche to save before Bostina, to the fore again, swung over a free-kick on 75 minutes for Goian to head in. Two minutes later Iacob centred for Paraschiv who made no mistake this time, and with three away goals to their name Steaua will be happy with their night's work ahead of the second leg at the Ghencea stadium in Bucharest next Thursday."
Sursa: UEFA.com
