Cadú spot kick gives Cluj first-leg success
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Article summary
CFR 1907 Cluj 1-0 FC Slovan Liberec
Cadú's penalty eight minutes into the second half gave Ioan Andone's side a slender lead to protect in next week's third qualifying round decider.
Article top media content
Article body
CFR 1907 Cluj will take a slender one-goal lead into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against FC Slovan Liberec courtesy of Cadú's 53rd-minute penalty.
Cadú scored from the spot after Pantelis Kapetanos had been fouled by Martin Tóth. Cluj, group stage contenders in 2008/09 and 2010/11, travel to the Czech Republic next week hoping to go within one round of a return to Europe's elite.
A cautious opening, which was briefly punctuated by David Bičík comfortably fielding Gabriel Mureşan's long-range effort, gave way to three presentable chances for the Romanian side before the break, Modou Sogou heading wide the first of them.
Kapetanos was then expertly denied by Bičík before the Cluj No9 shot narrowly wide. Led by the experienced Jiri Stajner, Liberec, who sought to counterattack whenever possible, showed their intent through Josef Šural's effort.
Cadú, Cluj's penalty specialist, put Ioan Andone's men in the ascendancy, although it was a lead which could quite easily have been erased had goalkeeper Mário Felgueiras not intervened to thwart Stajner.
