CFR Cluj 1-1 FC Noah: Preseason Battle Ends All Square

A tightly contested International Club Friendly between Romanian side CFR Cluj and Armenian outfit FC Noah finished 1-1 on 7 July 2026. The match, played under warm summer conditions, served as an important fitness test for both teams ahead of their respective domestic campaigns.

Match Overview

Both managers used the fixture to rotate squads and give minutes to new signings. CFR Cluj, perennial contenders in the Liga I, controlled long spells of possession but struggled to break down a disciplined FC Noah defence. The Armenian visitors, runners-up in the Armenian Premier League in recent seasons, looked dangerous on the counter-attack and matched their hosts in intensity throughout the 90 minutes.

Key Moments

• First-half breakthrough: CFR Cluj opened the scoring in the 24th minute when a well-worked corner routine ended with a powerful header from central defender Andrei Mureșan. The home fans briefly celebrated what seemed like a routine win in progress.
• Noah fight back: FC Noah equalised just before the hour mark. A swift move down the left flank saw winger David Manoyan cut inside and curl a precise shot past the Cluj goalkeeper, making it 1-1 in the 58th minute.
• Late pressure: In the final 15 minutes, both teams pushed for a winner. Cluj substitute Billel Omrani had a goal disallowed for offside, while Noah hit the crossbar from a free kick in stoppage time.

Standout Players

Ciprian Deac was influential in midfield for CFR Cluj, dictating the tempo with his passing range. For FC Noah, goalkeeper Arsen Beglaryan produced several fine saves to keep his team in the match. The draw felt like a fair result given the balance of chances.

Season Context

CFR Cluj are preparing for another title challenge in Romania, while FC Noah are building towards the start of the Armenian top flight. Friendlies like this provide crucial competitive rhythm, and both sides will take positives from a hard-fought draw. The match also marked a useful opportunity for scouting and tactical experimentation, with several trialists featuring in the second half.