Corneliu Cristian Pulhac (born 17 August 1984) is a Romanian actor and former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Pulhac was born on 17 August 1984 in IaÃÂi, Romania and began playing junior-level football in 1991 at local club Politehnica. In 1999 he moved to Sporting PiteÃÂti. He started his senior career at Dinamo BucureÃÂti, making his Divizia A debut on 23 March 2002, when coach Marin Ion sent him in the 78th minute to replace Vlad Munteanu in a 3âÂÂ0 away victory against UM TimiÃÂoara. That would remain his only appearance in that season as they won the title. In the following season, Pulhac played in Divizia C for Poiana Câmpina, then a satellite team of Dinamo, helping them gain promotion to the second league. In the 2003âÂÂ04 Divizia B season, he played in the first half for Poiana and in the second half for Sportul StudenÃÂesc, earning promotion to the first league with the latter.
In 2004 he returned to Dinamo, winning the 2004âÂÂ05 Cupa României, being used by coach Ioan Andone the entire match in the 1âÂÂ0 victory against Farul ConstanÃÂa in the final. Pulhac helped The Red Dogs win the Supercupa României for the first time, as Andone used him the full 90 minutes in the 3âÂÂ2 victory against rivals Steaua BucureÃÂti. He also played eight games in the 2005âÂÂ06 UEFA Cup campaign when the team eliminated Everton with a historical 5âÂÂ2 on aggregate, reaching the group stage. In the 2006âÂÂ07 season he played 32 games under coach Mircea Rednic, helping Dinamo win the title. He also appeared in 12 matches, scoring one goal as the club reached the UEFA Cup round of 32 where they were eliminated with 3âÂÂ1 on aggregate by Benfica. In the following season Dinamo had the objective of reaching the Champions League group stage, Pulhac providing the assist for Ionel DÃÂnciulescu's header that opened the score in the 1âÂÂ1 draw in the first leg of the third qualifying round against Lazio Roma. However, they did not qualify, losing with 3âÂÂ1 the second leg.
In August 2010, Spanish side Hércules signed Pulhac on a season-long loan with an option to buy him permanently. There, he was teammates with David Trezeguet and Nelson Valdez. He made Primera División debut on 21 November under coach Esteban Vigo in a 3âÂÂ0 away loss to Espanyol Barcelona. Pulhac played only nine matches in the competition, having to compete for a place in the team with Royston Drenthe. At the end of the season, the Spanish club didn't trigger the buy-option. He returned to Dinamo, winning the 2011âÂÂ12 Cupa României as coach Dario Bonetti sent him in the 67th minute to replace Marius Alexe in the 1âÂÂ0 victory against Rapid BucureÃÂti in the final. Subsequently, Bonetti used him the entire match in the penalty shoot-out victory against CFR Cluj in the 2012 Supercupa României.
In January 2013 Pulhac terminated his contract with Dinamo after receiving an offer from Azerbaijan Premier League side Gabala, for whom he went on to sign a two-year contract. Shortly after the appointment of Yuri Semin as manager, Pulhac was deemed surplus to requirements and told he could leave the club on 8 July 2013. In January 2014, Pulhac was still with Gabala and training with the youth team as he refused to leave the club. His contract with Gabala was finally terminated in August 2014. In December 2014, he signed a contract for 18 months with the Ekstraklasa side Zawisza Bydgoszcz. He returned to Romania in 2015, to play one season for Petrolul PloieÃÂti in the Romanian first league, totaling 173 matches with two goals in the competition. Pulhac retired in 2017, after playing in the second league for Academica Clinceni.
Pulhac won six caps for Romania's under-21 team, scoring one goal. He appeared in three friendly games for Romania's senior side, making his debut under coach Victor PiÃÂurcàon 26 May 2006 against Northern Ireland in a 2âÂÂ0 win at Soldier Field in Chicago, playing 88 minutes. In 2007, he played in a 2âÂÂ0 victory against Moldova. Pulhac made his last appearance for the national team on 20 August 2008 in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Latvia.
After ending his football career, Pulhac transitioned to acting, appearing in TV shows like Exatlon and Stand-Up Revolution, and movies such as The Action Pack and Teambuilding.
Sportul StudenÃÂesc
Dinamo BucureÃÂti