A look at the main sporting events this weekend
A win, a draw and a defeat; this sums up the record of the Romanian football teams that on Thursday played their fixtures counting towards the first leg of Europa League's third preliminary round.
In Yerevan, title holders CFR Cluj outclassed Armenian champions Alashkert, 2-nil. Striker George Tucudean scored both goals for CFR, on 5 and 49 minutes, with a penalty kick successfully turned into a goal, the second time around. If they secure a win-all result in the tie against Alashkert, CFR will take on the winner of the match pitting Polish side Legia Warsaw against Dudelange of Luxembourg. We recall that in the first round Dudelange's performance was a big surprise, as the team secured a 2-1 win away from home, in Warsaw.
Bucharest team FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, did not receive a single goal in the away confrontation against Croatia's Hajduk Split. Truth to tell, Romania's vice-champions did not attempt a single shot at goal and their attacking bouts were lackluster. Steaua's only shot at goal occurred in the last minute of extra time. So the match in Bucharest will be crucial for qualification. In the competition's play-off stage, the winning side will take on either the Slovakian team Slovan Bratislava, or Rapid Vienna of Austria. We recall that in the first leg, Slovan Bratislava secured a 2-1 home win.
Romanian Cup holders Universitatea Craiova have played their away match against German side RB Leipzig. The host team had the upper hand all throughout the game and secured a 3-1 win. Universitatea's Croat footballer Ivan Martic scored in the last second of regular time, which provides a glimmer of hope for Craiova, in the return match scheduled to take place at home. If they edge RB Leipzig out of the competition, Universitatea will face the winner of the match pitting Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk against Braga of Portugal. We recall that in the first leg in Ukraine, Zorya drew against Braga, 1-all.
Fixtures counting towards the 4th round of domestic League One championship are scheduled at the weekend. On Friday, FC Botosani take on Astra Giurgiu. On Saturday, in Chiajna, the local side Concordia will receive the visit of Hermannstadt of Sibiu, and Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe will take on Poli Iaşi on home turf. On Sunday, Universitatea Craiova are due to travel to Calarasi for their way match against the local side Dunarea, CFR Cluj will play against FC Voluntari, and FCSB will play in Medias against the current leader Gaz Metan. On Monday, in the last match of the 4th round, Dinamo Bucharest are pitted against Viitorul Constanta.
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