Mihai Mocanu (24 February 1942 â 18 June 2009) was a Romanian professional football defender.
Mocanu was born on 24 February 1942 in ConstanÃÂa, Romania and began playing football in 1952 at local club Locomotiva. He then played for RafinÃÂria Câmpina before returning to his hometown's Electrica to conclude his junior career. In 1960 he started his senior career at SNM ConstanÃÂa, playing for two seasons in Divizia B, subsequently going for one season at Chimia FÃÂgÃÂraàin the same league.
Mocanu joined Petrolul PloieÃÂti, making his Divizia A debut on 25 August 1963 under coach Ilie Oanàin a 2âÂÂ1 away loss to UTA Arad. He helped the Yellow Wolves win the 1965âÂÂ66 title, being used by coach Constantin CernÃÂianu in 26 matches. He played three games for Petrolul in the first round of the 1966âÂÂ67 European Cup against Liverpool that included a 3âÂÂ1 victory, but they did not manage to qualify to the next round. Mocanu also appeared in five games in which he scored one goal over the course of two seasons in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. On 12 December 1971, he made his last Divizia A appearance in Petrolul's 1âÂÂ0 home loss to Jiul PetroÃÂani, totaling 201 appearances with six goals in the competition. Afterwards, Mocanu went to play in Cyprus at Omonia Nicosia for two seasons with fellow Romanian Constantin FrÃÂÃÂilÃÂ, winning the title and the cup in 1974. He returned in Romania, playing another two seasons for Petrolul, this time in Divizia B, retiring in 1976.
Mocanu played 31 games for Romania, making his debut on 1 June 1966 under coach Ilie Oanàin a 1âÂÂ0 friendly loss to West Germany. He played four games in the Euro 1968 qualifiers and two during the successful 1970 World Cup qualifiers. Coach Angelo Niculescu used him for the entirety of all three games in the 1970 World Cup final tournament which were a win against Czechoslovakia and losses to England and Brazil, as his side failed to progress from their group. In the 3âÂÂ2 loss against the Brazilians, Mocanu's performance was appreciated in the duel with his direct opponent Jairzinho. He played three matches during the 1972 Euro qualifiers, including his last appearance that took place on 22 September 1971 in a 4âÂÂ0 away victory against Finland.
For representing his country at the 1970 World Cup, Mocanu was decorated by President of Romania Traian BÃÂsescu on 25 March 2008 with the Ordinul "Meritul Sportiv" â (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class III.
Mocanu coached Petrolul PloieÃÂti for one year in Divizia B, and also worked at the club's youth center. During his coaching career, he worked for Steaua Mizil and Metalul Plopeni, and from 1991 until 2005, he coached Conpet PloieÃÂti, with all these spells occurring in the Romanian lower leagues.
His son was also a footballer, playing for a while at Conpet PloieÃÂti with his father as coach. Mocanu received the Honorary Citizen of PloieÃÂti title.
In July 2006, part of Mocanu's right leg was amputated after he was diagnosed with ischemia. He died on 18 June 2009, at the age of 67.
Petrolul PloieÃÂti
Omonia Nicosia