Cluj capture vital victory

By Kestutis Gimbutas

A late strike from Adrian Anca gave Romanian outfit CFR Cluj a significant win at FK Žalgiris Vilnius in Lithuania to close in on a UEFA Intertoto Cup final berth against VfL Wolfsburg or RC Lens.

Rapid response
Anca was quickest to respond after Mindaugas Malinauskas could only parry Crisitian Corolan's penalty on 77 minutes and duly scored. The goal was a blow for the home side, who looked to have salvaged a first-leg draw when substitute Aleksandr Osipovich cancelled out Cristian Dan's first-half strike two minutes earlier.

Vetra victories
The victory was Cluj's third win in three matches against Lithuanian opposition in this competition, following their successes against FK Vetra in the first qualifying round, but in truth it never looked in doubt. Dan almost broke the deadlock on 15 minutes but could not direct his acute-angle shot on target.

Opening goal
The 26-year-old midfield player was more accurate on 37 minutes, however, pouncing on a loose ball before slotting in from the edge of the penalty area. The goal forced the home side into action and Saulius Širmelis introduced striker Aleksandr Osipovich and Vidas Kaušpadas at half time as Žalgiris went on all-out attack.

Žalgiris intent
The chance invigorated the side but it was defender Tadas Gražiunas that came closest to scoring in a frenetic opening spell to the half, forcing Petru Turcas to turn his powerful header away. Cluj responded immediately and only a dramatic last-gasp clearance from Tomas Mikuckis denied them a second after a blistering counter.

Osipovich equaliser
Osipovich had a goal disallowed just after the hour, but the Belarussian striker was not to be denied a second time as he latched on to a pass by Andzej Maksimovic, beat his marker, and made it 1-1 to the delight of the home crowd.

Telling substitution
Cluj responded immediately, Gheorghe Mihali introducing Cristian Turcu, and the midfielder soon made an impact, winning the penalty from which the visitors ultimately salvaged victory. Osipovich almost pegged them back again late on but could not hit the target to leave Žalgiris with much to do in next week's second leg in Romania - both these teams the first from their nations to reach the Intertoto Cup semi-finals.