Coach Lilian Popescu decided to leave Sheriff after the team lost surprisingly to the newly promoted Speranta Nisporeni 0-1. The only goal was scored by Mihai Onicas in the 79th minute, IPN reports.

“I decided to leave the team. It’s something normal after such a match. I think many will be glad about my decision,” Lilian Popescu told a news conference after the match. Even if it was played only the third stage, Popescu’s resignation from the post of coach of Sheriff is the second this season. Earlier, Igor Dobrovolski lost Dacia.

The other debutant, Petrocub-Hanceti also produced a great surprise in the third stage. The team trained by Eduard Blanuta beat current champion Milsami Orhei by 1-0. The victory goal was scored by Roman Shumchin in the 51st minute.

The other matches ended as follows: Saxan - Zimbru 1-2, Dacia - Dinamo-Auto 4-0, and Zaria - Academia 0-1. Speranta and Zimbru head the rankings after three staged played.