Moldova round-up: Championship joy for Sheriff

FC Sheriff Tiraspol clinched their third consecutive Moldovan championship with three games to spare after beating main rivals FC Zimbru Chisinau 3-0.

Dadu clinches title
A below-strength Zimbru team fell to their record defeat against Sheriff, who took the lead on ten minutes through Ivan Testemitanu. Evgheny Patula and Serghey Dadu added second-half goals to secure victory and the title. Dadu's goal was his 19th of the season leaving him clear as top scorer.

Nistru on Zimbru's tail
FC Nistru Otaci are now within sight of Wednesday's Moldovan Cup final opponents and fellow UEFA Cup qualifiers Zimbru in the race for second place after a 3-1 win against FC Agro Chisinau. Vitaly Starovic and Anatoly Doros made it 2-0 on 13 minutes and although Oleg Belan's penalty pulled a goal back on 58 minutes, Doros completed the victory late on.

Tiraspol win
FC Tiraspol recorded a 2-1 away victory against FC Politechnica Chisinau thanks to goals from Josua Oniachonam and Ruslan Barburos. Lilian Golban scored the only goal for the hosts.

Belarus claim youth tournament
Meanwhile, Moldova this week were hosts of the fourth FMF Cup Under-17 international football tournament. Belarus claimed victory with a 4-1 win against Latvia in the final, while Russia overcame Ukraine in the third-place match by a 3-1 scoreline. Moldova's two teams both finished bottom of their first-round three-team groups, Moldova I beating Moldova II 6-5 on penalties for fifth place after a 3-3 draw.