Sheriff secure 11th Moldovan title

After relinquishing their crown for the first time in ten years last season, FC Sheriff have reinstated themselves as Moldovan champions following a 5-0 victory against FC Sfintul Gheorghe Suruceni.

Leading closest pursuers FC Dacia Chisinau by four points with two games remaining, Sheriff knew victory would ensure their 11th league title. A carnival atmosphere ensued and the home supporters were almost rewarded with an early goal but Benjamin Balima failed to convert his spot kick. Vitali Rashkevich's team soon made amends after the break and struck five unanswered goals to seal an emphatic win.

"The match went as we expected," said jubilant coach Rashkevich. "We knew that the first goal would be the one to decide everything. During the break I told the guys to remain calm and everything would be alright. Eventually it was the case and our emotions are running very high right now."

Defender Vazha Tarkhnishvili, who has won all 11 titles with Sheriff and is now 41, said "it is a big rarity to win the title in my age" while the 20-year-old Aleksandar Pešić added: "These emotions are superb. I always believed in the team and I hope we will be much more successful in Europe next term." Sheriff will be presented with the trophy on Wednesday when they face FC Academia UTM Chisinau in Vadul lui Voda.