CFR 1907 Cluj vs FC Noah

The match remained goalless until the 76th minute, when CFR Cluj's Moldovan forward Nicolae Sula slotted home to break the deadlock. The 20-year-old centre-forward, who has been with CFR Cluj since his move from Moldovan football, capitalised on a moment of quality to give the Romanian side the lead.

But FC Noah responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, in the 78th minute, a trialist on trial with the Armenian club found the net to restore parity. The quick response ensured the match finished 1-1 — a result that reflects the pre-season nature of the contest where both sides experimented with personnel.

Sula's 76th-minute goal could have been the platform for CFR Cluj to close out a narrow win, but Noah's instant response within two minutes shifted the momentum entirely. The Armenian side's ability to regroup and strike back immediately — through a trialist looking to earn a contract — demonstrated their resilience and prevented Cluj from building any sustained pressure after the breakthrough.

• N. Sula (CFR 1907 Cluj) — The Moldovan forward was clinical with his finish in the 76th minute, showing sharp instincts in the box. His goal was the standout individual moment of the match.
• Trialist (FC Noah) — Whoever the unnamed player was, his instant equaliser displayed composure under pressure and will have strengthened his case for a contract with the Armenian Premier League side.

Player of the Match: N. Sula (CFR 1907 Cluj)

The match produced only two goals in a 14-minute window late in the second half, reflecting the pre-season rhythm of the game. The first 75 minutes were largely uneventful in front of goal, with both sides prioritising retention and fitness over risk-taking in the final third. The absence of yellow or red cards confirmed the friendly nature of the contest. No detailed possession or shot data was recorded publicly, but the timing of the goals — both in the final quarter-hour — suggests neither team took significant risks until the closing stages.

For CFR Cluj, the draw extends their pre-season unbeaten run to two matches (1-0 win over Neftçi Baku on 2 July, 1-1 draw with Olimpija Ljubljana on 4 July). The Romanian SuperLiga side continue their preparations with a friendly against Karpaty Lviv on 9 July before their domestic season gets underway.

FC Noah, meanwhile, maintained their own undefeated pre-season record after a 1-1 draw with NS Mura on 4 July and a 2-0 win over Aluminij on 28 June. The Armenian side's summer camp in Slovenia has been productive, with competitive fixtures helping new signings and trialists integrate into the squad ahead of the Armenian Premier League campaign.

A typical pre-season friendly that followed a familiar script: a cagey opening, a splash of quality to break the deadlock, and an immediate equaliser. The 1-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of the balance between two teams in the early stages of their pre-season programmes. Sula's finish was the highlight, but Noah's quick response showed they have the character to fight back when behind.