Blaj saw off Sanatatea Cluj 1-0 in the Romanian Cup semi-finals on Tuesday evening. The result sends the hosts through to the final after a tightly contested affair that was decided in a matter of minutes. C. Tineiu was the man for Blaj, netting twice in the opening half.
The breakthrough came in the twentieth minute when Tineiu found the net. He doubled his tally just sixty seconds later, and here's the thing — two goals in such a short space of time shifted the momentum entirely. By then, Sanatatea Cluj had to chase the game and open up.
Statistics tell a different story. Cluj dominated possession at 56 per cent and registered 126 attacks compared to Blaj's 74. They also earned twelve corners to two and saw seven shots on target, yet only one goal against them. Many shots with one goal means chances went begging, and that's what cost them.
Blaj were not without their own opportunities. Five shots on target produced two goals, while Cluj wasted seven attempts on target across their 126 attacks. The hosts kept their discipline with three yellow cards against two for the visitors, and that structure held firm when it mattered.
Recent form suggests this was no fluke for Blaj. They had won their last two matches — 2-1 against Mediaş 2022 and 4-3 versus Universitatea Alba Iulia — before that 0-2 defeat to Sanatatea Cluj in July. This result gave them a chance to put that loss behind them.
Sanatatea Cluj's run has been inconsistent. A 2-2 draw with Unirea Alba-Iulia was followed by losses to Petrolul Ploieşti and Gloria Bistriţa, with only a 1-1 stalemate against Unirea Slobozia offering any comfort. They fancy their chances next season, but not this one.
The scoreline reads 1-0, but the goal difference tells the fuller picture. Blaj advance to the final with a game to spare in this tie, while Sanatatea Cluj must now reflect on a performance that showed dominance without delivery.