Guy Daan (foreground) - author of Zimbru's only goal in two games against Astana
Among the four Moldovan clubs, Zimbru started the European Cup campaign later than the others. The capital club took third place in the last season of the Super League, which allowed it to qualify for the second qualifying round. Oleg Kubarev’s team faced the reigning vice-champion of Kazakhstan – Astana.
The first match was held away, and despite the strong support of fans (the match was attended by almost 24 thousand people with 30 thousand seats), the Moldovan club led in the score. Israeli legionary “Zimbru” Guy Daan before the break struck the goal of the hosts, having closed the pass of forward Nicky Kleshchenko. Astana midfielder Ivan Bashic equalized the score in the 56th minute of the match. The match was officiated by a team of referees from Belarus, headed by Amin Kurgeli, assisted by Yuri Khromchenko and Viktor Getikov.
The return meeting was held in Chisinau and attracted more than 8.5 thousand fans (the stadium was 85% full). Zimbru’s chances of advancing to the next round were reduced to a minimum already in the first half of the game. With an interval of four minutes, two goals flew into the gates of Nikolai Chebotar: in the 18th minute Geoffrey Chinedu scored, and in the 22nd – Ousmane Camara. The overall score of 1:3 in favor of Astana prevented Zimbru from advancing to the third qualifying round, where it would have met Swiss Lausanne.
UEFA delegated Belgian referees Bram Van Driessche (head of the team), Michel Seldreyers and Yves De Neve to the match.
After the match, Bison coach Oleg Kubarev said that the team lacked luck in the return match. “We failed to realize several chances, were punished for tactical errors. I have nothing to reproach the guys – they tried, fought until the final whistle. Now we’ll focus on the championship of Moldova,” said the Belarusian specialist.
“Petrocub”, which last year participated in the group round of the LC, this season failed to make it to the third round. The team lost to Azerbaijan’s Sabah with a total score of 1:6. Formally, the home match in Chisinau (“Petrocub” hosts its European rivals at the “Zimbru” stadium, as the arena in Hincesti does not meet the requirements of UEFA) ended with a victory of the guests, who scored two unanswered goals to Silviu Shmaleni – Pavol Shafranko and Kahim Parris scored.
The match in Chisinau was refereed by Israeli referees headed by Gal Laibuvitz, assisted by Omer Barbiro and Yossi Babayoff. The match was attended by just under 5 thousand spectators (the stadium was half-filled).
In the return meeting, the Azerbaijani club left no chance for revenge to Petrocub. “Sabah” dominated on the field, controlling the ball 66% of the time, made 16 shots at the gates of the club from Hincesti (five times more than the guests) and hit the goalpost four times (Petrocub – only once). All four shots were effective: midfielder Joy-Lance Michels completed a hat-trick, scoring in the 22nd, 28th and 44th minutes, and before the teams went to the break, striker Pavol Shafranko scored for the second consecutive LC match. The only goal for Petrocub was scored by defender Steve Solvet, who struck his own goal in the 41st minute. In case of victory Petrocub would meet Bulgarian Levski in the next round.
A team of referees from Serbia headed by Danilo Nikolic served the meeting in Baku. Milan Sutulovic and Ivan Mikalacchi worked on the bar. The match at the Bank Respublika Arena in the capital of Azerbaijan gathered more than 5.5 thousand fans.
Two Moldovan clubs continue their performance in European cups. “Milsami” (Orhei) will face Virtus (San Marino) in the third round of the LC, and “Sheriff” (Tiraspol) will compete with “Anderlecht” (Belgium) for a play-off round of the tournament – the last before the group stage.
