25 May 2007, by Sean Gillen

Portuguese players drive FC Sion and CFR Cluj to Uefa Cup qualification

Swiss and Romanian clubs enjoy highly successful seasons

Portuguese striker Carlitos was on the scoresheet as FC Sion secured a Uefa Cup place on the last day of the Swiss Super League season with a 2-0 win over Luzern at the Stade Tourbillon.

The victory meant that Sion moved up into third at the end of the 36-match Swiss campaign, earning European qualification in their first season back in the top flight after promotion last term. Veteran defender Joao Pinto plays alongside Carlitos at the club, but was not involved in Thursday’s match.

Alvaro Saborio opened the scoring for Sion after eight minutes, and the Costa Rican set up former Benfica man Carlitos to seal the win with a second ten minutes from time. Sion finish the season with 60 points, after seventeen wins, nine draws and ten defeats from their league campaign.

Cluj on the up and up

Meanwhile, in Romania, CFR Cluj finished third after a final-day 1-0 win at home against Farul, and will also enter the Uefa Cup for next season.

While the season has to be considered a success after a 5th place finish last year, Cluj will regret losing out on second place and qualification for the Uefa Champions League qualification phase.

The side held second place for much of the latter part of the season, but a stumble towards the end of the campaign saw them win just once in four games, including a home defeat to Steaua Bucharest. Although they recovered to win their last three matches, Steaua finished two points clear and managed to sneak into second.

Andre Leao’s recent arrival in Cluj has brought the number of Portuguese at the CFR Stadium to nine, and seven of the contingent were in the squad for the win over Farul, which was settled by a goal by Brazilian striker Didi, formerly of Pacos de Ferreira.

Tony and Ricardo Cadu started in defence, Manuel Jose in midfield and Antonio Semedo in attack. Former Boavista winger Pedro Oliveira entered the fray at half time, while Fredy and Dani were unused substitutes.

Cluj’s impressive season saw them win 21 of their 34 league games, after winning their first five matches. The highlight of the team’s season was a 2-1 home win over runaway league winners Dinamo Bucharest in November.