Petrocub and Hearts exit Conference League after thrilling draw
Petrocub Hâncești secured a 2-2 draw away against the Scottish team Heart of Midlothian.
Andrei Martin’s team finished their campaign in the Conference League’s single group stage with 2 points.
The Scots had the first clear chance to score. In the 9th minute, Lawrence Shankland fired a shot from outside the box, but goalkeeper Silviu Șmalenea parried it out for a corner. In the 20th minute, following a corner kick, Kye Rowles headed the ball just wide of the goal. Moments later, Petrocub broke the deadlock. Sergiu Plătică scored with an assist from Vladimir Ambros. In the 34th minute, Dumitru Demian rose to meet a cross in the box but headed it wide. Sergiu Plătică had another chance to score at the end of the first half but missed the target from an excellent position.
In the 58th minute, Hearts came close to equalizing. Șmalenea made a crucial save on a dangerous shot from inside the box by Yan Dhanda. In the 64th minute, the home side leveled the score. A ball was sent into the Petrocub penalty area, and Victor Mudrac tried to clear it, but the ball landed at James Wilson’s feet, who scored. Six minutes later, the Scots scored again. Once more, a cross into the penalty area caused trouble as Ion Borș deflected the ball toward opposing striker Blair Spittal, who headed it into the net.
In the 82nd minute, Petrocub earned a penalty. After a shot by Plătică, James Penrice committed a handball in the box. Victor Mudrac converted the penalty kick.
With 2 points, Petrocub finished in 36th place, bottom of the standings, in the Conference League’s single group stage. Heart of Midlothian collected 7 points, finishing 25th and also failing to advance to the round of 32.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
