The Cypriot team Pafos defeated CFR Cluj on Thursday evening, at home, with a score of 3-0, in the second leg of the Conference League play-off. The Cypriots qualified for the next stage of the competition, while the team from Cluj was eliminated from European cups.
Pafos had an early opportunity right from the start of the match in Limassol, and in the 16th minute, Jaja also missed a chance. The Brazilian redeemed himself in the 28th minute, opening the scoring from Jairo’s pass. Just three minutes later, Goldar scored again, bringing the score to 2-0 for the hosts. The Cypriots scored in the 45+1 minute, but the goal was disallowed for an offside position. The hosts increased their lead in the 48th minute. The referee awarded a penalty after a foul committed in the box by Boben, and Tankovic converted it successfully. Dan Petrescu’s players failed to recover, played poorly, and Pafos – CFR Cluj ended 3-0. The Cypriots advance to the Conference League group stage, while the Cluj team was eliminated from European cups.
PAFOS: Ivusic – Luckassen, Goldar, Pontelo (Pileas 52) – Bruno (Joao Correia 72), Sunjic, Pepe (M. Name 81), V. Dragomir – Jaja (Leonardo Vieira 72), Jairo (Anderson 81), Tankovic. COACH: Juan Carlos Carcedo
CFR CLUJ: M. Popa – Mogoş, Boben, Kresic, Camora – Artean (M. Kamara 62), K. Keita (Djokovic 46), Tachtsidis (Fică 79) – Nkololo (Ad. Păun 87), Bîrligea, Korenica (L. Munteanu 62). COACH: Dan Petrescu
Yellow cards: Goldar 60, Bruno 69, V. Dragomir 74 / M. Popa 35, Tachtsidis 67, M. Kamara 83
Referees: Craig Pawson – Simon Bennett, Daniel Robathan – Darren Bond
VAR referees: Andrew Madley – Sian Massey
