Zimbru Chisinau went through to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. The team trained by Belarusian coach Oleg Kubarev eliminated the vice champion of Bulgaria CSKA Sofia, IPN reports.
After scoring a 1-1 draw in Sofia, Zimbru secured a 0-0 tie at home and thus qualified for the next round. There were not many occasions for scoring, with the Bulgarians being more insistent. Things became more difficult for CSKA from the 86th minute, after Edenilson hit Spataru and was eliminated.
“Our objective was not to allow a goal. Before our numerous supporters, we should have had a better game in the offensive. We must become better,” Zimbru coach Oleg Kubarev said in a news conference after the match.
“We must forget these two games with Zimbru. Our opponents defended themselves well and it was hard for us to score goals,” said the coach of CSKA Stoycho Mladenov.
In the next round, Zimbru meets Austria’s Grodig, which ranked third the last season. Grodig eliminated Cukaricki of Serbia by 1-2 at home, after beating it away 4-0.