Universitatea Craiova vs Sabah FA

Craiova controlled much of the first half after Băsceanu's early goal but could not extend their lead. Sabah's equaliser in the 65th minute — their only clear chance from open play — changed the game's momentum. Coelho had already begun rotating his squad by that stage, and the side that finished the match featured as many as seven changes from the starting XI, making it harder for Craiova to regain control.

• Luca Băsceanu (Universitatea Craiova) — The 22-year-old scored his second goal in as many pre-season friendlies (he also netted in the 7–1 win over FC Stubai). His early strike showed sharp movement and composure.
• P. Mbina (Sabah FA) — The Gabon international scored the equaliser, his first of pre-season, demonstrating the physical presence Craiova will need to handle when they face European opposition.
• Răzvan Sava (Universitatea Craiova) — The goalkeeper made his debut for the club after joining in the summer transfer window, playing the final minutes.
• Ronaldo Webster (Universitatea Craiova) — The Jamaican left-back also made his first appearance in a Craiova shirt after his reported €800,000 move from Mount Pleasant FA.

The match produced only two goals from limited clear-cut chances. Craiova's early dominance in possession did not translate into a second goal before half-time — a pattern Coelho will want to address before competitive fixtures begin. Sabah's equaliser came from their first sustained spell of pressure in the second half. No cards were shown, reflecting the controlled, fitness-oriented nature of the contest.

Both sides used the full complement of substitutes: Craiova introduced 11 players from the bench including debutants Sava and Webster, while Sabah also rotated heavily.

For Universitatea Craiova — who completed the Romanian league and cup double in 2025–26 — this was a step up in quality after a 7–1 demolition of amateur side FC Stubai. Coelho will be satisfied with the physical output but will want more cutting edge in the final third. Craiova's next friendly is against Ukrainian side Polissya Zhytomyr on 29 June 2026, also in Austria.

Sabah FA are preparing for Champions League qualifying rounds and face another test against an unnamed opponent later in the week.

A useful workout for both sides. Craiova showed they can score early against quality opposition but need to manage games better after taking the lead. Sabah proved resilient and carry genuine threat through Mbina. Pre-season results mean little in isolation, but the structural patterns — Craiova's fast start, Sabah's second-half response — are the takeaways for anyone tracking these squads ahead of the 2026–27 season.

"It was a good match. The objectives we set for this friendly were largely achieved," Coelho told TVR Craiova after the game. "We're trying to build match rhythm and see the players perform against strong opponents. Overall, I think it was a very useful training session."