The University of Cluj won the first match of the Superliga in 2023 (2-1), at the end of a game dominated by the pupils of Ioan Ovidiu Sabau against FC Voluntari.

Players of the “University of Cluj” team.Photo: Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

A perfect debut for Ioan Ovidiu Sabau – first success after a 6-game hiatus for Cluj in the Superliga

Ranked 14th in the league going into this match, the University of Cluj completely controlled the match at the Cluj Arena, with Mamadou Thiam opening the scoring for the hosts in the 37th minute.

Ivorian Ulrich Meleke left Ilfoven with a numerical advantage in the second half (48 minutes) after the centre-back showed him a second yellow card and sent him off.

About a quarter of an hour later (min. 62), Vitalie Damaskan restored the tie with a single shot into the Voluntari goal area.

The University of Cluj finished the game with more than 25 scoring chances, and towards the end, Laurent Fulop gave the Red Caps the win in the 88th minute.

After this game, Transylvania moved up to 12th place with 22 points, while Voluntariul remained in 26th place and remained in 8th place.