Portuguese players propel CFR Cluj to historic championship triumph

Cadu goal brings first-ever title to Romanian team

CFR Cluj have made history by winning their first ever title in Romania, in so doing automatically qualifying for next year’s Champions League.

The incredible feat achieved by the unfashionable club is a triumph to the Transylvanian outfit’s policy of investing heavily in little known Portuguese players. Players who will now have a chance to make an even bigger name for themselves in the World’s greatest club competition.

Fittingly, it was club captain, Portuguese defender Cadu, who converted a penalty kick in the 65th minute of the local derby match against Universitatea Cluj on Wednesday to give Cluj a 1-0 win in the last round of Romanian Liga I.

The goal won the three points, thus bringing up-and-coming Cluj their first ever championship. It is also the first time since 1991 that a provincial team (not from the capital Bucharest) has won the title.

Eight Portuguese players are among the new champions of the Romanian top flight: Nuno Claro, Tony, Manuel Jose, Antonio Semedo, Cadu (captain), Fredy, Andre Leao and Dani, while Vitinha, Pedro Oliveira and Amoreirinha were loaned to other teams during the season.


Title-clinching match:

Universitatea Cluj 0-1 CFR Cluj 0-1

CFR Cluj:
Stancioiu, TONY, CADU, Galiassi, Panin, Culio, DANI, Muresan (52 MANUEL JOSE), Trica (83 Minteuan), SEMEDO, Durbarbier (46 Ruiz)
[Portuguese players in capital letters]

Goals:
[0-1] Cadu, 65 (pen)