ASA Targu Mures vs Gloria Bistriţa

Gloria dominated the opening exchanges and pinned ASA back inside their own half. The opener came from a cross into the box that was turned into his own net by a Târgu Mureș player under pressure, according to the club's match report.

Ten minutes later, Lupu made it 2–0. The new signing found space in the box and converted calmly, effectively ending the contest before the half-hour mark.

There were no further goals after the interval. ASA tightened up defensively but created little going forward. Gloria controlled possession without needing to extend themselves, and the match finished 2–0.

The own goal in the 17th minute was decisive. It forced ASA Târgu Mureș — who had beaten Gloria 3–0 in their only previous Liga 2 meeting in 2025 — to chase the game earlier than they would have planned. Against a well-organised Gloria side, they never found a way back.

Marius Lupu (Gloria Bistrița) — Scored the second goal and was a constant threat. The new arrival looks sharp ahead of the Liga 2 season opener.

Nicolae Grigore's defensive unit — Clean sheet in the final friendly. Greab was rarely tested, but the back four of Frunză, Șofroni, Asibey and Lică held firm.

Florin Iacob (ASA Târgu Mureș) — The captain worked hard to organise a makeshift defence, but his side created little going forward.

The provider payload shows a 0–2 scoreline with no recorded half-time score in the raw data, suggesting the match may have been 0–0 or 2–0 at the break depending on the scoring sequence. Romanian media reports confirm both goals arrived in the first half, meaning Gloria led 2–0 at half-time and saw out a controlled second period.

Gloria Bistrița's pre-season form reads impressively: wins over Viitorul Livezile (3–1), CFR Cluj (2–0), FC Bacău (1–0) and now ASA Târgu Mureș (2–0), plus draws with Cetatea Suceava (2–2) and ACSM Reșița (0–0). ASA's pre-season, by contrast, included four straight draws (1–1 vs Petrolul, Sepsi OSK, SC Popești Leordeni) before a 1–0 win over Metaloglobus and a 0–2 loss to CSC Șelimbăr.

Both clubs now turn their attention to the 2026–27 Liga 2 season, which kicks off on 1 August. Gloria Bistrița host CSC Șelimbăr at home, while ASA Târgu Mureș travel to ACSM Reșița.

Gloria go into the season on a five-match unbeaten run in friendlies (W4 D1 L0 since mid-July). ASA have won only one of their last six pre-season outings (W1 D4 L1 since early July).

A routine pre-season win for Gloria Bistrița, who were sharper and more clinical in the decisive first-half period. ASA Târgu Mureș offered little in attack and will need to improve before the Liga 2 campaign begins. The 2–0 scoreline accurately reflected the balance of play.